The LabWest Ultrafine+™ (UFF) soil testing method is a high sensitivity analysis to identify mineralisation beneath regolith cover.
Developed in collaboration with CSIRO since 2017, Ultrafine+™ analyses the reactive 2-micron clay fraction, using advanced microwave digestion and low-detection ICP-MS technology.
This provides geologists and geochemists with a powerful tool to see through shallow to moderate cover and identify subtle geochemical signals often missed by traditional soil testing methods.
Find out more in the introductory video or see below for analysis options available in our UltraFine+™ packages, plus research reports and case studies.
An introduction to UltraFine+™
Effective and Efficient Exploration Analysis
Increased Signal to Background Ratio
Enhanced Sensitivity
Smaller Sample Requirements
Nugget-Effect Eliminated
Why Choose LabWest Ultrafine+™ for Mineral Testing?
The Ultrafine+™ (UFF) process is an established and proven technique for mineral exploration, particularly for gold, base metals, rare earth elements (REEs), and lithium.
It offers:
- Enhanced sensitivity for low-level element detection
- Higher signal-to-background ratios
- Smaller sample size requirements, lowering costs
- Reproducible, reliable soil testing results
- No nugget effect, improving consistency
Across Australia and globally, explorers are adopting Ultrafine+™ to enhance discovery potential and improve the efficiency of surface geochemical analysis.
Ultrafine+™ Soil Testing and Mineral Analysis Packages
LabWest offers comprehensive Ultrafine+™ soil and mineral testing packages designed for exploration projects of any scale.
UFF-PE Package
- 53 elements, including Au, Pt, Pd
- <2 μm fraction collection
- Analysis by ICP-MS and OES
UFF+ Package
- All UFF-PE inclusions
- pH and electrical conductivity measurements
- Particle size distribution
- Clay fines mineralogy by NIR reflectance spectroscopy
UFF-PER Package
- All UFF-PE inclusions
- REE (Rare Earth Element) analysis
These Ultrafine soil testing packages combine precision laboratory methods with CSIRO-validated technology to provide the most sensitive and accurate geochemical data for exploration.
Contact LabWest at (08) 9248 9321 or enquiries@labwest.net for pricing and detailed package information.
Proven Research – CSIRO/MRIWA Project M462
The CSIRO/MRIWA Project M462: "Multi-scaled Near-Surface Exploration
Using Ultrafine Soils", led by Dr Ryan Noble, demonstrated the significant potential of Ultrafine soil analysis in identifying mineralization beneath cover.
LabWest was a key sponsor and participant, contributing to the development and commercialisation of the Ultrafine+™ process.
The project confirmed that gold and base-metal concentrations in the ultrafine fraction provide stronger and more consistent geochemical signals, well above instrumental detection limits with excellent reproducibility.
This makes Ultrafine+™ a game-changing tool in modern mineral exploration.
Click to read a detailed research report summarising the effectiveness of Project M462.
Sampling Advice for Wet Conditions
Ultrafine soil sampling in wet conditions requires proper field techniques to ensure integrity and efficiency. LabWest provides comprehensive guidelines, including:
- Residual soils (~5% clay): Remove large rocks and organic material; no screening required.
- Sandy soils and low clay sediments: please note these on the submission form.
- Clay-rich soils (>10% clay): Remove debris, no screening needed.
- Packaging: Collect 200 g (or 100 g for international samples) in standard geochem paper bags.
Following these procedures ensures high-quality UFF mineral testing results, even under challenging conditions. For more instructions, download our guide.
UltraFine+™ Orientation Study Examples
Study comparing LabWest UltraFine+™ to historical geochemistry results in the Musgrave Ranges
Orientation study comparing LabWest UltraFine+™ to whole-soil aqua regia – Paterson region
Orientation study within a Hamelin Gold company report, Tanami region
Application of Recent Innovations in Exploration Geochemistry. A presentation by Dennis Arne, 27th May 2021, James Cook University
Download UltraFine+™ Information
Sampling For UltraFine+™ NEW Updated for Wet Weather June 2025
Qld AIG Presentation by Geoff Beckitt on Soil and Stream Geochemistry using UltraFine+™
Contact LabWest for Expert Mineral and Soil Testing
Whether you're conducting regolith geochemical analysis for anomalies, or collecting rocks or rock chips for Gold and multi-elements, LabWest provides the trusted analytical expertise and technology to support your exploration success.
Get in touch today to discuss how Ultrafine+™ mineral and soil testing can add precision and confidence to your exploration programs.