ASTM E1915-20
(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
4.1 These test methods are primarily intended to test materials for compliance with compositional specifications and for monitoring.
4.1.1 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.
4.1.1.1 The use of the acid neutralization potential titration low range method is most useful where acidity is present in the samples and when acid potential by titration is desired in the uncertain range below 2 % CaCO3.
4.1.2 These test methods are also used to isolate minerals based on 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)).
4.1.3 Additionally, the carbon hydrochloric acid insoluble 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).3
4.2 These test methods also may be used for the classificatio...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total carbon, 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, %
Total Carbon
0 to 10
0.08 to 10
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 %
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Range
-1.0 % to 2 % CaCO3
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
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Rang...
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1915 − 20
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 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
carbon, sulfur, and acid-base characteristics in metal bearing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ores and related materials such as leach residues, tailings, and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
waste rock within the following ranges:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Analyte Application Range, % Quantitative Range, %
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
TotalCarbon 0to10 0.08to10
Total Sulfur 0 to 8.8 0.023 to 8.8
Specific warning statements are given in Section 6.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
NOTE 1—The test methods were tested over the following ranges:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Total Carbon 0.01 % to 5.87 %
Total Sulfur 0.0002 % to 4.70 % ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Residual Carbon from Pyrolysis 0.002 % to 4.97 %
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Residual Sulfur from Pyrolysis 0.014 % to 1.54 %
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Pyrolysis Loss Sulfur 0 % to 4.42 %
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Carbon 0.025 % to 0.47 % Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Hydrochloric Acid Loss Carbon 0 % to 5.78 %
Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.012 % to 4.20 %
2. Referenced Documents
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration -1.0 % to 100 %
2
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Range -1.0 % to 2 % CaCO
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Nitric Acid Insoluble Sulfur 0.006 % to 0.924 %
D1067 Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
Nitric Acid Loss Sulfur -0.08 % to 4.19 %
Sodium Carbonate Insoluble Sulfur 0.007 % to 3.78 %
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1976 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively-
1.2 The quantitative ranges for the partial decomposition
Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
test methods are dependent on the mineralogy of the samples
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively
being tested. The user of these test methods is advised to
Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
conduct an interlaboratory study in accordance with Practice
D5744 Test Method for Laboratory Weathering of Solid
E1601 on the test methods selected for use at a particular
Materials Using a Humidity Cell
mining site, in order to establish the quantitative ranges for
D6234 Test Method for Shake Extraction of Mining Waste
these test methods on a site-specific basis.
by the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
1.3 The test methods appear in the following order:
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Sections
Determine Conformance with Specifications
Carbon and Sulfur, Total 10.1 – 10.9
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Consid-
Carbon and Sulfur, Residual from Pyrolysis 10.10 – 10.18
erations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and
Carbon and Sulfur, Hydrochloric Acid Insoluble 10.19 – 10.27
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration 10.28 – 10.36
Related Materials
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Range 10.37 – 10.46
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
Sulfur, Nitric Acid Insoluble 10.47 – 10.55
Sulfur, Sodium Carbonate Insoluble 10.56 – 10.64 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,
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 July 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E1915 – 13. DOI:
...
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: E1915 − 13 E1915 − 20
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 carbon, 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, %
Total Carbon 0 to 10 0.08 to 10
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 %
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Range -1.0 % to 2 % CaCO
3
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:
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 Metallurgical Materials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013July 1, 2020. Published September 2013August 2020. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20112013
as E1915 – 11.E1915 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E1915-13.10.1520/E1915-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E1915 − 20
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
Acid Neutralization Potential Acidity Titration Low Range 10.37 – 10.46
Sulfur, Nitric Acid Insoluble 10.47 – 10.55
Sulfur, Sodium Carbonate Insoluble 10.56 – 10.64
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning statements are given in Section 6.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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 Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
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 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysi
...
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