Gekko Systems is proud to announce 20 years of operations in the mineral processing industry. In the past two decades Gekko has grown from a micro-operation, to a company that is instrumental in driving innovation throughout the global mining sector.
In early 1996, Gekko was founded in Avoca by husband and wife team, Sandy and Elizabeth Lewis-Gray. The company was created as a result of challenging traditional mineral processing methods, and driven by a clear goal to develop energy efficient technologies that prioritise the environment with minimum impact to local communities.
Gekko’s story can be traced back to May 1995, when Sandy started trials to efficiently pre-concentrate ore using gravity separation, while eliminating the cost of heavy crushing by processing coarse feeds of up to 30mm.
This proved to be both environmentally and cost effective. A year later the InLine Pressure Jig (IPJ) became Gekko’s first product and one that would catapult the company onto the global stage. To date, over 220 IPJs have been installed globally.
Gekko’s second offering was introduced to the mining industry in 1997. The InLine Leach Reactor (ILR) was the world’s first commercially available intensive leach production unit.
With more than 150 installations, the ILR has become the market leader in its application for the recovery of gold and silver from gravity and flotation concentrate.
Calling Ballarat Home
In 1999, and as a result of an increasing demand for Gekko’s solutions, Elizabeth and Sandy decided to move to the industrial hub of Ballarat to expand its infrastructure and scale up operations.
Since then Gekko has grown to become a major player in the mineral processing sector. Today, Gekko is known for offering not only its range of equipment, but also complete mineral processing plant solutions and consulting services for mining companies. Twenty years on, Elizabeth acknowledges the role Ballarat has played in its success.
“I am proud of what Gekko Systems has become and the innovation we bring to a mature marketplace such as the mining industry.
Ballarat has been a great source of talent and many of Gekko’s suppliers are local, which has been a key to our success.”
In March 2000, Gekko’s first international office was opened in Johannesburg, South Africa. This was followed by two other global offices opened in Vancouver and Perth, in 2002 and 2009, respectively.
Gekko’s Head Office and manufacturing facility remains at Learmonth Road, Wendouree, where more than 150 staff are currently employed.
Gekko exports about 80 per cent of its equipment to clients across 44 countries.
