These Reference Materials (also known as laboratory standards) are prepared from mineral matrices
that contain gold which is uniformly distributed throughout the pulverized rock. Once
appropriate material has been prepared and been confirmed as suitable by laboratory
analysis it is packaged in to sachets or jars. A full homogeneity test is then carried
out on a representative number of sub-samples from the packaged batch.
If there is no significant difference found between the sub-samples then the gold content
is determined by consensus testing using a minimum of 15 reputable laboratories from several
different countries. Standard statistical techniques are used to assign a recommended gold
value with associated 95% confidence interval. Each sachet or jar is labeled with a unique
number. A certificate, which includes details of the production and characterization
of the Reference Material, is issued with each consignment of sachets or jars sold.
Laboratories will use them as part of their normal quality control process. Competent
laboratories already do this but often they use "standards" which they have made themselves
and which have not been subjected to rigorous homogeneity tests or had the gold concentration
accurately determined through analysis by a large number of quality laboratories. Sachets are
supplied with a "Labcheck" label when used by laboratories as part of their own quality-monitoring
program. Laboratories may prefer to use Reference Materials packed in wide mouthed jars and which
contain 2.5kg. Jars of Reference Material have been tested to check that the gold does not settle
out from vibrations, eg during transport.
Exploration and mine geologists can submit one sachet (option of 30g or 50g sizes available) with
every batch of samples they send to the laboratory for gold analysis. If they send large batches they
may choose to include one sachet with every 50 samples submitted. The sachets are robust and can be
"thrown" in with their other samples. Because the sachets are sealed it does not matter if they get
dirty or wet on the outside. Sachets are supplied with a "Geocheck" label when used by geologists
submitting samples to a laboratory. They have a unique number on every sachet, but do not have the
name of the Reference Material on the label.
ROCKLABS has a team of chemists, geologists and a statistician to advise on the use of ROCKLABS
Reference Materials and the analysis of analytical results. All users of our Reference Materials are
encouraged to use our template to plot Reference Materials analytical results. To obtain our template,
with user instructions and worked examples, or if you wish to have advice on the selection or use of
ROCKLABS Reference Materials, please contact:
Malcolm Smith | BSc FNZIC | malcolm@msrml.co.nz
Please feel free to download a copy of our
Reference Materials brochure.
For more details of Rocklabs Reference Materials, please contact head office.