SAMPLES
It is clear that remote projects require a higher degree of support. Each project has particular demands and no two circumstances are exactly alike. The logistics and expense of sample shipment often drives a need for carefully designed on-site sample preparation.
Accurate results begin with representative samples. Meticulous care is taken in the collection of geological, environmental, or other samples to ensure that the laboratory receives truly representative samples. Following sample collection, appropriate laboratory sample preparation protocols must be selected with care to produce the desired homogeneous subsample for analysis. Yasmin Analytical Lab approaches sample preparation with the same rigorous quality control procedures and careful attention to detail as any other stage of analysis.
In some situations, on-site analytical capability is abatable. In many instances geologists are forced to operate in new geographies with little logistical support and yet are still expected to collect data that is meaningful and insightful. To support such efforts, many Yasmin Analytical Lab facilities now offer a variety of consulting services to help collect and analyze drill samples in a highly-secure and controlled environment. Together, these consulting services can provide a streamlined and easy way to collect, store, and retrieve a wealth of information very soon after core is provided to the laboratory.
A Yasmin Analytical Lab supervisor will be on-site for the installation of the facility. YAL can also be contracted to provide on-site training in most national and international languages (Pashto, Dari and English). You can also have one or more of your staff trained at a YAL facility. Under certain conditions and given enough lead time, YAL is also able to operate such facilities on a contract basis.
Yasmin Analytical Lab can also be contracted to provide consulting services for design, supply, and on-site training in most national and international languages (Pashto, Dari and English) of quality control laboratories for food and beverage industries. You can also have one or more of your staff trained at a YAL facility.
IMPORTANT SAMPLE INFORMATION
SAMPLE PICK UP SERVICES
Sample transportation/pick-up services can be arranged from any of our locations. Please contact Yasmin Analytical Lab office for details.
SAMPLE SUBMISSION
Please send your samples to any of the addresses on our website and those listed on the back cover page of this document. Preaddressed adhesive labels and sample submission forms are available on our website and can be sent to you on request as well. We can also offer advice on shipping your samples to our laboratories by surface carrier, air cargo and air express.
SAMPLE TRACKING
We are very aware of the value of your samples. Confidence and security in the chain of custody for your samples as they pass through our system is obviously very important. To provide complete traceability. Your samples are logged into our laboratory information management system and given a barcode at log-in. We encourage clients to barcode samples prior to sending them to our laboratories. In such cases we will work with your barcodes. Alternatively, we can attach a YAL system barcode as your samples are received.
Note: Pack your samples according to our advice.
SAMPLE STORAGE
Materials submitted for analysis are retained free of charge at our laboratories for a limited time. Prepared master pulps are stored for 90 days from the time we issue the final certificate of analysis. Coarse and fine reject (residue) fractions are stored for 45 days from the time we issue the final certificate of analysis.
Reasonable monthly charges will apply to samples stored for longer periods in our facilities. Our storage facilities provide a secure and organized environment protected from the elements. We also provides climate controlled storage environments where required, including freezer storage for unstable samples. All sample storage locations are included in the laboratory system so that all your samples for all your projects can be located to the rack and shelf location at all times. Please contact Yasmin Analytical Lab office for details.
SAMPLE PREPARATION AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES PACKAGES
Water Samples
Please contact our laboratory manager to discuss your specific sampling procedure.
Rock, Mineral, Drill and Chip Sample Procedure (< 1Kg)
The packages described below illustrate the most common procedures used to produce representative sub-samples. Please contact our laboratory manager to discuss your specific sample and analytical requirements.
-
Drying of excessively wet samples
-
Pulverize sample in multiple stages to 85% passing 75 micron or better
-
Crushing prior to pulverizing
-
Homogenizing of pulverized sample
-
Homogenizing and pelletizing
We have a wide range of expertise available to help you with most questions you might have.
Soil and Sediment Samples (<1Kg)
Soil samples submitted for processing are dried at low temperature. This package includes weighing and drying, sieves samples to 2mm, Homogenizing and pelletizing. Excessively wet samples may require additional drying which may result in the application of a surcharge.
Specific Gravity & Bulk Density
Specific Gravity (SG) and Bulk Density (BD) of ores is often under-characterized in the determination of tonnage and grade of a deposit. Incorrect assumptions or inadequate characterization of this basic rock property has led to gross errors in the deposit tonnage in several instances. Specific gravity and bulk density of soils are very important physical properties that affect quality and quantity of agricultural products.
Particle Size Analysis
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within Soils, Drills and Minerals.
The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the distribution of the finer particles.
Elemental Analysis
Liquid Samples (Water & Other Liquid Samples)
I: Metal Cation
Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 100 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer is an instrument for determining the concentration of a particular metal element within a sample. Atomic absorption spectroscopy can be used to analyze the concentration of over 62 different metals in a solution. Detection limits for flame AAS vary enormously: from 1 - 5 ppb (e.g. Ca, Cd, Cr, and Cu) to 1 ppm (e.g. P).
ppb: parts per billion
ppm: parts per million
II: Anion
Standard lab probes, rugged field probes and HACH ion selective electrodes (ISE) are available to measure a wide variety of parameters. Several probes use specialty designs for specific measurement applications with acceptable accuracy and precision. Wet chemical analysis and also spectrophotometric methods also provide for our clients to measure anions in different matrix.
Solid Samples (Soils, Rocks, Minerals, Fluids, Alloys)
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a rapid, relatively non‐destructive process that produces chemical analysis of rocks, minerals, sediments, fluids, and soils, Our ED-XRF Xenemetrix SE-6600 spectrometer is Non-destructive elemental analysis from Z=11 (sodium) to Z=92 (Uranium) – Fm (100), from sub-ppm to 100% concentrations. The result could be report as percentage of elements or percentage of Oxide form of the elements. All volatiles that may be include in matrix of samples measured by determining percentage of loss on ignition (LOI).