13-QAQC and Sample Security

Considerations on QA&QC and Sample Security
Armando Simn and Greg Gosson

AMEC Americas Limited
Sampling 2008, 27-29 May 2008, Perth, Western Australia
Presentation Outline
Introduction
QA/QC and Sample Security
Sampling 2008, 27-29 May 2008, Perth, WA 2
Introduction
Objective assessment of precision
Why blind insertion of control samples?
QC versus Sample Security
Recommendations
Introduccin
"Bre-X Minerals geologist
The Bre The Bre--X Affair X Affair
"Bre-X Minerals geologist
Michael de Guzman, centre,
conducts a survey with his
colleagues at the Busang-2 field
in Indonesia in this March 1997
picture. (Associated Press/Gatra
Magazine)
Before Bre-X
- Usually lacking QAfQA programs, or with insufficient
coverage, even when run by major companies
- Usually loose security policies, little concern about
General Trends in QAJQC and Sample Security
Introduccin
- Usually loose security policies, little concern about
possible frauds
After Bre-X
- Strict QAfQC policies required by regulatory bodies
- Strict security policies, chain of custody, strong scrutiny
- !ncreasing interest from exploration and mining
companies in complying with new regulations
Quality in NI 43-101
All written information of scientific or technical nature
related to mining projects should:
Introduccin
Specify if a Qualified Person verified the data on which
this information is based, including sampling, assaying
and tests
Describe the quality assurance program and the quality
control measures
Describe the nature and limitations of such verification
Explain any deficiencies detected during the verification
Quality in JORC
A Competent Person report should:
Introduccin
Describe the nature, quality and appropriate
selection of sampling and analytical procedures
Describe the quality control procedures, including
the insertion of standards, blanks, duplicates and
external checks
Assess the accuracy and precision levels attained
during the project
However, quality of geological data is a matter
of concern not only for companies working under
NI43-101, JORC or other widely recognized codes:
Introduccin
NI43-101, JORC or other widely recognized codes:
Hundreds (or thousands?) of private exploration
companies, mines and laboratories are involved
in exploration and mining all over the world.
Consequence of Lack of QC Protocols
(or Poor QC Protocols)
Entire drilling campaign data may have to be partially or
totally excluded from the resource estimation databases
Quality Control
totally excluded from the resource estimation databases
The estimated resources may be down-graded
If QC data were not timely processed, then only a
forensic analysis can be done.
Quality Control
Hence, we need comprehensive
geological QC programs!!!
Monitoring the main quality parameters, and taking
Monitoring the main quality parameters, and taking
appropriate measurements (if necessary)
Assessing precision (sampling, sub-sampling,
analytical)
Assessing accuracy
Assessing contamination during preparation
and assaying
Assessment of Precision (1)
ISO 3534-1 defines precision as "the closeness of agreement
between independent test results obtained under stipulated
Quality Control
between independent test results obtained under stipulated
conditions.
Repeatability conditions are fulfilled when re-sampling occurs in
the same sampling intervals, with the same sampling procedure,
when samples are processed with the same equipment and the
same preparation procedure, and are assayed with the same
measuring instrument, under the same measurement conditions,
and are repeated over a short period of time.
Assessment of Precision (2)
Therefore, an objective assessment of precision on repeatability
conditions requires that the original and the duplicate samples be
included within the same batch.
Quality Control
included within the same batch.
However, at least for preparation and pulp duplicates this is
seldom accomplished:
Duplicates are usually inserted in another batch, sometimes
months (or years) later, or
Duplicates are submitted to another laboratory, alleguedly to
assess precision.
Is Independent QC Actually Needed? (1)
Internationally certified and competently managed laboratories
have their own internal QC protocols, and the assay certificates
Quality Control
have their own internal QC protocols, and the assay certificates
commonly include the results of at least some of the internal
laboratory QC. However, most laboratories will only reveal those
checks that pass their internal controls, but not the failures.
Problems with sampling, preparation and assaying are seldom the
result of dishonest attempts to hide or falsify certain facts, but
rather unintentional errors or bias introduced by improper sample
collection, preparation and assaying.
However, from time to time we witness some deceptive practices
at the laboratory, like:
Quality Control
Altering the sample order:
Preparing all the ordinary samples first, and leaving the
blanks to be processed at the end, after cleaning the
equipment
Correcting the values of the whole batch to compensate for the
deviations from the CRM certified value.
Unfortunately, regardless of the good intentions of laboratory
Quality Control
Unfortunately, regardless of the good intentions of laboratory
management, the incidence of poor sample preparation practices
and unreported blank, duplicate and CRM failures is higher than
expected or desired.
Sole reliance on the internal laboratory QC is an
unacceptably poor practice.
Do We Need Blind Insertions?
The identity and characteristics of the control samples must remain
unknown to the controlled entity. Otherwise, the objectivity is lost,
the control may no longer be valid, and can consequently be called
Blind Insertions
the control may no longer be valid, and can consequently be called
into question.
The purpose of the blind insertion of control samples is to prevent
the laboratory from identifying the control samples, or at the very
least, their nature and sought values, so that an objective and
independent assessment of precision, accuracy and contamination
can be conducted.
Are Blind Insertions Possible?
Blind insertion of field duplicates and coarse blanks can be easily
conducted at site, during the sampling process.
Blind Insertions
Blind insertion of other control samples (same-batch preparation
and pulp duplicates, CRMs, pulp blanks) would require insertion into
the batches during or after sample preparation, and prior to
assaying.
Unless sample preparation and assaying take place at different
laboratories or facilities, this operation would be impossible without
the participation of non-laboratory personnel.
Then, What About Sample Security?
Under these conditions, samples would have to be temporarily
returned to the custody of a non-laboratory person in charge of the
insertions, even if this occurs within the laboratory premises.
Sample Security
Is this an acceptable practice? Does it represent a breach in the
Chain of Custody principle? If so, what do we give up?
Proper assessment of precision, accuracy and contamination?
Sample security and the Chain of Custody principle?
Are those two alternatives compatible?
Being in Custody
A sample is considered to be in custody if it meets at least one of
the following conditions:
Sample Security
the following conditions:
The sample is in someones physical possession or view;
The sample is secured to prevent tampering; or
The sample is secured in an area restricted to authorized
personnel.
(WSDE, 2007)
Chain of Custody
Chain of Custody is defined as "an unbroken trail of accountability
that ensures the physical security of samples, data, and records
Sample Security
that ensures the physical security of samples, data, and records
(EPA, 1998). This definition has to do with secure traceability.
According to this definition, respecting the chain of custody implies
that it should be known and documented who has custody of a
sample at any particular moment. As long as this principle is followed,
the chain of custody concept is respected.
Currently accepted situations when neither the company
nor the laboratory are in permanent custody of the samples:
Samples are taken on site, and submitted for preparation and assaying to
another location (city, country or continent) by various means (horse, water
Sample Security
buffalo, truck, bus, train, plane, mail or courier), using company personnel or
contractors (individuals, same laboratory, another laboratory or other
contractors).
Samples are prepared on site by company personnel or by a special
contractor or by laboratory personnel, and are submitted for assaying to
buffalo, truck, bus, train, plane, mail or courier), using contractors (individuals,
same laboratory, another laboratory or other contractors).
Currently accepted situations when neither the company
nor the laboratory are in permanent custody of the samples:
Samples are prepared by a laboratory facility in one location and submitted
for assaying to another facility of the same laboratory in the same location or
Sample Security
for assaying to another facility of the same laboratory in the same location or
in another location (city, country or continent) by various means (truck, bus,
train, plane, mail or courier) using laboratory personnel or various contractors
(individuals, laboratory, other contractors).
Samples are prepared by a laboratory facility in one location and submitted
for assaying to another facility of another laboratory in the same location or in
another location (city, country or continent) by various means (truck, bus,
train, plane, mail or courier) using laboratory personnel or various contractors.
Therefore, in spite of the fact that potential
tampering possibilities exist, such situations
Sample Security
tampering possibilities exist, such situations
(and others) are customarily accepted because
changes of custody are well documented with
Chain of Custody forms.
Conditions for Blind Insertions
The QP is entitled to follow or to accept practices based on
criteria that are generally accepted by the industry, or that
Quality Control versus Sample Security
criteria that are generally accepted by the industry, or that
can reasonably be justified on scientific or technical grounds.
The QC process should be sufficiently transparent to prevent
any suspicion of improper behaviour or actions; an essential
requirement is that the events should be adequately
documented.
When AMEC is retained by an exploration or mining company
for the independent, ongoing review of a quality control
program:
A trained AMEC employee is in charge of the blind insertion
of control samples at the laboratory premises, with
AMECs Blind Insertion Practice
of control samples at the laboratory premises, with
authorization of company and laboratory management;
Control samples are repackaged in pouches identical to
those used for unknown samples, supplied by the laboratory
on the spot, and chain of custody forms are filled by the
AMEC and the laboratory representatives at the time when
sample custody changes.
AMEC does not recommend nor accept that samples be
retrieved from the laboratory premises before assaying for the
insertion of blind control samples or for any other purpose.
Using one laboratory (or branch) for preparation and insertion of the
control samples, and another laboratory (or branch) for assaying.
This procedure can be considered as best practice.
Using trained personnel independent of the exploration or mining
company, with no vested interest in the project, to do the blind
Recommended Blind Insertion Procedures
company, with no vested interest in the project, to do the blind
insertions within the laboratory premises. This process should be
well documented with chain of custody forms. This procedure can be
considered as best practice.
Using a trained person from the company to do the blind insertions
within the laboratory premises. The process should be well
documented with chain of custody forms. This procedure can be
considered as acceptable.
Final Recommendations
Implement from Day 1 a comprehensive QA/QC
program.
program.
Use same-batch duplicates.
Use blind insertions.
Keep proper records of changes of custody.

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Considerations on QA&QC and Sample Security

Armando Simn and Greg Gosson

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