ASTM E1805-13

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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 also a definitive method intended to test materials for compliance with compliance with compositional specifications and to provide data for certification of reference materials. It is essential that each performance of the method be validated by applying it to appropriate reference materials at the same time and in the same manner as it is applied to the unknowns.  
5.2 It is assumed that all who use this test method will be trained analysts capable of performing 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 E882.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in copper concentrates in the content range from 0.2 μg/g to 17 μg/g.Note 1—The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice E1601.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: E01 - Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
• Drafting Committee: E01.02 - Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metallurgical Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 − 13
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates by Fire
1
Assay 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 Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in
3. Terminology
copper concentrates in the content range from 0.2 µg/g to 17
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
µg/g.
Terminology E135.
NOTE 1—The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice
E1601.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Atest sample of copper concentrate is fluxed and fused
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
inaclaycrucible.Thepreciousmetalsarereduced,collectedin
standard.
a lead button, and then cupelled to remove the lead. The
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
remaining doré bead is parted with nitric acid to remove the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
silver and other impurities from the gold. The gold is then
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
annealed, cleaned, and weighed on a microbalance.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific 5. Significance and Use
warning statements, see 11.3.1, 11.5.4, and 11.6.5.
5.1 In the metallurgical process used in the mining
industries, gold is often carried along with copper during the
2. Referenced Documents
flotation concentration process. Metallurgical accounting, pro-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cess control, and concentrate evaluation procedures for this
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
type of material depend on an accurate, precise measurement
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
of the gold in the copper concentrate. This test method is
Determine Conformance with Specifications
intended to be a reference method for metallurgical laborato-
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
ries and a referee method to settle disputes in commercial
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
transactions. It is also a definitive method intended to test
Related Materials
materials for compliance with compliance with compositional
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
specifications and to provide data for certification of reference
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
materials. It is essential that each performance of the method
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
bevalidatedbyapplyingittoappropriatereferencematerialsat
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
the same time and in the same manner as it is applied to the
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
unknowns.
Chemical Analysis Laboratory
5.2 It is assumed that all who use this test method will be
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
trained analysts capable of performing skillfully and safely. It
is expected that the work will be performed in a properly
equippedlaboratoryunderappropriatequalitycontrolpractices
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on
such as those described in Guide E882.
Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct
responsibility of Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metal-
lurgical Materials.
6. Interferences
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published June 2013. Originally
6.1 Elements normally found in copper concentrates within
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1805 - 07. DOI:
10.1520/E1805-13.
the limits of 1.1 do not interfere. High concentrations of
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
arsenic, antimony, tellurium, bismuth, nickel, and platinum
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
group metals (and, in some instances, copper), however, may
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. interfere with the fusion and cupellation steps.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1805 − 13
7. Apparatus 8.9 Silver Foil, 99.9 % purity with less than 0.10 µg/g gold
content.
7.1 Analytical Balance, capable of weighing to 0.1 g.
8.10 Silver Solution (1 g/L)—Add 1.557 g silver nitrate to
7.2 Assay
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: E1805 − 07 E1805 − 13
Standard Test Method for
Fire Assay Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates
1
by Fire Assay 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
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in copper concentrates in the concentrationcontent range from 0.2 to 17
μg/g (0.007 to 0.500 Troy oz/short ton).μg/g to 17 μg/g.
NOTE 1—The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice E1601.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology E135.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test sample of copper concentrate is fluxed and fused in a clay crucible. The precious metals are reduced, collected in a
lead button, and then cupelled to remove the lead. The remaining doré bead is parted with nitric acid to remove the silver and other
impurities from the gold. The gold is then isannealed, cleaned, and weighed on a microbalance.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 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 also a definitive
method intended to test materials for compliance with compliance with compositional specifications and to provide data for
certification of reference materials. It is essential that each performance of the method be validated by applying it to appropriate
reference materials at the same time and in the same manner as it is applied to the unknowns.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metallurgical Materials.
Current edition approved June 1, 2007April 1, 2013. Published June 2007June 2013. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
E1805 - 02.E1805 - 07. DOI: 10.1520/E1805-07.10.1520/E1805-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1805 − 13
5.2 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 E882.
6. Interferences
6.1 Elements normally found in cop
...