Standard Test Method for Fire Assay Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates by Gravimetry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In the metallurgical process used in the mining industries, gold is often carried along with copper during the flotation concentration process. Metallurgical accounting, process control, and concentrate evaluation procedures for this type of material depend on an accurate, precise measurement of the gold in the copper concentrate. This test method is intended to be a reference method for metallurgical laboratories and a referee method to settle disputes in commercial transactions.
It is assumed that all who use this test method will be trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory operations skillfully and safely. It is expected that the work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appropriate quality control practices such as those described in Guide E 882.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in copper concentrates in the concentration range from 0.2 to 17 g/g (0.007 to 0.500 Troy oz/short ton). Note 1 - The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice E 1601.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 11.3.1, 11.5.4, and 11.6.5.

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Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2007
Current Stage
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ASTM E1805-07 - Standard Test Method for Fire Assay Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates by Gravimetry
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1805 − 07
StandardTest Method for
Fire Assay Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates
1
by Gravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1805; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in 4.1 A test sample of copper concentrate is fused in a clay
copper concentrates in the concentration range from 0.2 to 17
crucible. The precious metals are reduced, collected in a lead
µg/g (0.007 to 0.500 Troy oz/short ton). button, and then cupelled to remove the lead. The remaining
doré bead is parted with nitric acid to remove the silver and
NOTE 1—The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice
other impurities from the gold. The gold then is cleaned, and
E1601.
weighed on a microbalance.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 5.1 In the metallurgical process used in the mining
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific industries, gold is often carried along with copper during the
warning statements, see 11.3.1, 11.5.4, and 11.6.5. flotation concentration process. Metallurgical accounting, pro-
cess control, and concentrate evaluation procedures for this
2. Referenced Documents
type of material depend on an accurate, precise measurement
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of the gold in the copper concentrate. This test method is
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
intended to be a reference method for metallurgical laborato-
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
ries and a referee method to settle disputes in commercial
Determine Conformance with Specifications
transactions.
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
5.2 It is assumed that all who use this test method will be
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory
Related Materials
operationsskillfullyandsafely.Itisexpectedthattheworkwill
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
be performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appro-
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
priate quality control practices such as those described in
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Guide E882.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
6. Interferences
Chemical Analysis Laboratory
6.1 Elements normally found in copper concentrates do not
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
interfere. High concentrations of arsenic, antimony, tellurium,
Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
bismuth, nickel, and platinum group metals (and, in some
3. Terminology
instances, copper), however, may interfere with the fusion and
cupellation steps.
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
Terminology E135.
7. Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
7.1 Analytical Balance, capable of weighing to 0.1 g.
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct
7.2 Semi-Microbalance, capable of weighing to 0.001 mg.
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metal-
lurgical Materials.
7.3 Assay Mold, 100-mL capacity.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1805 - 02. DOI:
7.4 Cube or Cone Mixer, 1000-g capacity.
10.1520/E1805-07.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 7.5 Cupel, magnesite or bone ash—40-g lead capacity.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.6 Dry Oven, forced air circulation with temperature
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. control, 104 °C.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1805 − 07
7.7 Fire Assay Bead Brush. 8.13 Cupel Correction Flux—Blend the following ingredi-
ents in the listed proportions:
7.8 Fire Assay Bead Pliers.
Borax glass 15 g
7.9 Fire Assay Clay Crucible, 20 to 30-g sample capacity.
Flour, white wheat 2 g
Lead oxide 30 g
7.10 Fire Assay Tongs, crucible and cupel.
Potassium carbonate 45 g
Silica 12 g
7.11 Fire
...

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