Approved
A century in the service of metal.
Bachelet Group is rooted in the industrial heritage of Vieille Montagne and later Union Minière — pioneers of the global non-ferrous metals industry. From an internal production-control laboratory to an independent reference lab, our discipline has been refined over a hundred years.
Roots in Vieille Montagne
Founded to support internal production control, ensuring ores, concentrates and refined products met the most demanding international standards.
Vieille Montagne — one of the world's first large-scale zinc producers — and Union Minière, the Belgian non-ferrous group in copper, cobalt, zinc, lead and precious metals.
The Union Minière era
Vieille Montagne merged into Union Minière; Bachelet Laboratories became central to a global non-ferrous ecosystem — assay control, technical arbitration, sampling supervision and analysis.
A reference for neutrality
Methodological discipline in umpire work and complex polymetallic analysis — frequently appointed as reference lab in multi-party contractual assays.
An independent service provider
Evolved from an internal laboratory into an independent commercial provider, serving mining companies, smelters, traders and refiners worldwide.
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
Formal recognition of our analytical precision and quality-management system.
LME certification
London Metal Exchange listing — strengthening our credibility in international metal trading.
Operations begin in Chile
A quality-control laboratory established at the Codelco Ventanas site — serving Latin American mining and export hubs, with supervision and sampling extended across South America and China.
Chile laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025
In June 2024, the Bachelet Chile laboratory obtained its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, bringing the same accredited standard of analysis to our Latin American clients.
An expansion laboratory in Belgium
Acquisition of an adjacent laboratory building at our Belgian site — adding analytical capacity and dedicated space for growing sample volumes.
100 years, still independent
Recognised internationally for supervision & sampling, independent assay & umpire services, complex polymetallic analysis, and technical arbitration in international trade.
What we stand for.
Rigour
Accredited methods, calibrated instruments and QA/QC on every result we issue, working with rigour and safety at every step.
Responsibility
We stand behind every certificate we sign, commercially and legally, and act responsibly for the safety of people, our operations and the environment.
Respect
For our clients, our team and the material entrusted to us.
One hundred years of independence — and counting.
The same discipline that built our name is at work in every certificate we issue today.
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