ASTM E1915-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Metal Bearing Ores and Related Materials for Carbon, Sulfur, and Acid-Base Characteristics
Standard Test Methods for Analysis of Metal Bearing Ores and Related Materials for Carbon, Sulfur, and Acid-Base Characteristics
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are primarily intended to test materials for compliance with compositional specifications and for monitoring. The determination of carbon and sulfur and acid neutralization potential in ores and related materials is necessary to classify ores for metallurgical processing and to classify waste materials from the mining and processing of ores such as leach residues, waste rock, and tailings according to their potential to generate acid in the environment. This information is useful during mine development to assist in mining and mineral processing operations and for proper disposal of waste materials. These test methods are also used to speciate carbon and sulfur contents of metal-bearing ores and related materials so that acid-base accounting can be performed (that is, carbonate mineral acid neutralization potential (ANP) minus sulfide-sulfur mineral acid generation potential (AGP) = net calcium carbonate (NCC)). Additionally, the test method has utility to identify the amount of organic carbon contained in gold ores so that potential for preg robbing can be identified and rectified through established pretreatment methods prior to cyanidation. (Warning—Pyrolysis pretreatment at 550 °C has a potential to thermally decompose some carbonate minerals: (1) transition metal carbonates (for example, siderite, FeCO3, and rhodochrosite, MnCO3) decompose, yielding carbon dioxide, CO2, in the range of 220 °C to 520 °C; (2) calcite decomposes slightly between 300 °C and 500 °C, although most decomposition occurs above 550 °C; (3) dolomite decomposes at 800 °C to 900 °C (Hammack, 1994, p. 440). )
These test methods also may be used for the classification of rock to be used in construction, where the potential to generate acid under environmental conditions exists.
It is assumed that the users of these test methods will be trained analysts capable of performing common laboratory procedures skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be performed in...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total carbon and sulfur and acid-base characteristics in metal bearing ores and related materials such as leach residues, tailings, and waste rock within the following ranges:
1.2 The quantitative ranges for the partial decomposition test methods are dependent on the mineralogy of the samples being tested. The user of these test methods is advised to conduct an interlaboratory study in accordance with Practice E1601 on the test methods selected for use at a particular mining site, in order to establish the quantitative ranges for these test methods on a site-specific basis.
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Designation: E1915 − 11
StandardTest Methods for
Analysis of Metal Bearing Ores and Related Materials for
1
Carbon, Sulfur, and Acid-Base Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1915; 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 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
carbonandsulfurandacid-basecharacteristicsinmetalbearing
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ores and related materials such as leach residues, tailings, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning
waste rock within the following ranges:
statements are given in Section 6.
Analyte Application Range, % Quantitative Range, %
TotalCarbon 0to10 0.08to10
Total Sulfur 0 to 8.8 0.023 to 8.8 2. Referenced Documents
2
NOTE 1—The test methods were tested over the following ranges:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1067 Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
Total Carbon 0.01 % to 5.87 %
Total Sulfur 0.0002 % to 4.70 %
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
Residual Carbon from Pyrolysis 0.002 % to 4.97 %
D1976 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively-
Residual Sulfur from Pyrolysis 0.014 % to 1.54 %
Pyrolysis Loss Sulfur 0 % to 4.42 % Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Carbon 0.025 % to 0.47 %
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively
Hydrochloric Acid Loss Carbon 0 % to 5.78 %
Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.012 % to 4.20 %
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration -1.0 % to 100 % D5744 Test Method for Laboratory Weathering of Solid
Nitric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.006 % to 0.924 %
Materials Using a Humidity Cell
Nitric Acid Loss Sulfur -0.08 % to 4.19 %
D6234 Test Method for Shake Extraction of Mining Waste
Sodium Carbonate Insoluble Sulfur 0.007 % to 3.78 %
by the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
1.2 The quantitative ranges for the partial decomposition
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
test methods are dependent on the mineralogy of the samples
Determine Conformance with Specifications
being tested. The user of these test methods is advised to
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
conduct an interlaboratory study in accordance with Practice
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
E1601 on the test methods selected for use at a particular
Related Materials
mining site, in order to establish the quantitative ranges for
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
these test methods on a site-specific basis.
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
1.3 The test methods appear in the following order:
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
Sections
Chemical Analysis Laboratory
Carbon and Sulfur, Total 10.1-10.9
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur,
Carbon and Sulfur, Residual from Pyrolysis 10.10-10.18
Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt
Carbon and Sulfur, Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble 10.19-10.27
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration 10.28-10.36 Alloys by Various Combustion and Fusion Techniques
Sulfur, Nitric Acid Insoluble 10.37-10.45
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Sulfur, Sodium Carbonate Insoluble 10.46-10.54
Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E1950 Practice for Reporting Results from Methods of
standard.
Chemical Analysis
E2242 Test Method for Column Percolation Extraction of
Mine Rock by the Meteoric Water Mobility Procedure
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and are the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metal-
2
lurgical Materials. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2011. Published December 2011. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E1915 – 09. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1915-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E1915–09 Designation: E1915 – 11
Standard Test Methods for
Analysis of Metal Bearing Ores and Related Materials for
1
Carbon, Sulfur, and Acid-Base Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1915; 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
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total carbon and sulfur and acid-base characteristics in metal bearing ores
and related materials such as leach residues, tailings, and waste rock within the following ranges:
Analyte Application Range, % Quantitative Range, %
TotalCarbon 0to10 0.08to10
Total Sulfur 0 to 8.8 0.023 to 8.8
NOTE 1—The test methods were tested over the following ranges:
Total Carbon 0.01 % to 5.87 %
Total Sulfur 0.0002 % to 4.70 %
Residual Carbon from Pyrolysis 0.002 % to 4.97 %
Residual Sulfur from Pyrolysis 0.014 % to 1.54 %
Pyrolysis Loss Sulfur 0 % to 4.42 %
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Carbon 0.025 % to 0.47 %
Hydrochloric Acid Loss Carbon 0 % to 5.78 %
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.012 % to 4.20 %
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration -1.0 % to 100 %
Nitric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.006 % to 0.924 %
Nitric Acid Loss Sulfur -0.08 % to 4.19 %
Sodium Carbonate Insoluble Sulfur 0.007 % to 3.78 %
1.2 The quantitative ranges for the partial decomposition test methods are dependent on the mineralogy of the samples being
tested. The user of these test methods is advised to conduct an interlaboratory study in accordance with Practice E1601 on the test
methods selected for use at a particular mining site, in order to establish the quantitative ranges for these test methods on a
site-specific basis.
1.3 The test methods appear in the following order:
Sections
Carbon and Sulfur, Total 10.1-10.9
Carbon and Sulfur, Residual from Pyrolysis 10.10-10.18
Carbon and Sulfur, Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble 10.19-10.27
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration 10.28-10.36
Sulfur, Nitric Acid Insoluble 10.37-10.45
Sulfur, Sodium Carbonate Insoluble 10.46-10.54
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.5 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. Specific warning statements are given in Section 6.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1067 Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1976 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively-Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass Spectrometry
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E01 onAnalytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and are the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metallurgical Materials.
Current edition approved Dec.Nov. 1, 2009.2011. Published January 2010.December 2011. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20072009 as
E1915–07a.E1915 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/E1915-09.10.1520/E1915-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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E1915 – 11
D5744 Test Method for Laboratory Weathering of Solid Materials Using a Humidity Cell
D6234 Test Method for Shake Extraction of Mining Waste by the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E50 PracticesforApparatus,Reagents,andSafetyConsiderationsforChemicalAnalysisofMetals,Ores,andRelatedMaterials
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
E1019 Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in Steel, I
...
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