Precious Metals Analysis

Samples are fused in a lead-collection fire assay, to recover precious metals, then are cupelled before acid dissolution and cupellation. Precious metal values are determined by Graphite Furnace AAS or ICP-OES.

Zarazma's standard assay sample size is 25g.

Please refer to the Technical Information page for more detailed background to this technique.

	Code	Description
Trace Level	PM-01	Lead Collection Fire-Assay analysis of a 25g sample, portion with high Sensitivity ICP-OES or GFAAS finish Au (1ppb) Pt (5ppb) Pd (5ppb)
Trace Level	PM-02	Lead Collection fire-assay Analysis of a 25g sample portion, With ICP OES Finish Au (0.01 ppm)
OreGrade	PM-03	Lead-collection fire-assay analysis of a 25g sample portion, with ICP-OES finish. (0.001-100 ppm) Au (0.01 ppm)
OreGrade	PM-04	Samples as received are crushed and pulverised in total to a nominal 90% passing 106 µm(150 mesh). A 1kg portion of this material is then split from the bulk and screened using 106 µm nylon mesh. The oversize material (+106 µm) is then fused in total using lead collection fire assay along with duplicate fusions on the under size material (–106 µm). The resultant prills are digested in aqua-regia and the gold content of the sample determined by AAS or ICP. Weight corrections are applied to finally determine the head grade of the sample. Alternative screen sizes are available on request. Au (0.01 ppm)