All Articles
BLM Runs Check on Assay Services
May 2003 by Scott Harn
Most laboratories involved were sent 4 samples containing known values of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, and 2 samples that were complex blanks. Prices charged for assay services varied from $60, for fire assays, to $2,250 for a “tin fusion method.” In our review of the report, price did not seem to be reflected as a determining factor for accuracy. In some cases, a lower cost for service provided a more accurate assay.
The results of assays conducted are compiled in a 34-page report, including 16 pages detailing the reasons for and methods used in the study, and 18 pages of results. The volume of the report does not allow for inclusion in this publication, but ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal has made the entire document available free on our web site:
Study preface (.pdf file) 0.8MB
Study results (.pdf file) 1.0MB
Many of the results published were well within acceptable limits, but some were so far out in “left field” that utilization could be disastrous. Substantial quantities of precious metals were reported in some blanks. Some samples that contained valuable quantities of precious metals were reported as “none detected.” As a result of this report, several assay labs were barred from advertising in our publication.
BLM should be applauded for conducting this badly needed study, and hopefully they will continue this public service. The resulting report should be a valuable tool as a validation for assay services.
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Additional articles that might interest you...
Reading A River: Finding The Paystreaks—Part II
January 2009
How to read a river to find gold. In this second of a two-part series, we will take a look at how a river’s grade affects the formation of paystreaks, and how to go about reading a river to see the various catches and parts of a stream where...
How to read a river to find gold. In this second of a two-part series, we will take a look at how a river’s grade affects the formation of paystreaks, and how to go about reading a river to see the various catches and parts of a stream where...
Ask the Experts
April 2014
Relationship between limestone and gold
Relationship between limestone and gold
Sampling Placer Stockpiles
August 2013
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
The Rest of the Story—Detecting With Ray Mills
December 2018
Ray followed up by detecting the same area and I was happy to see that he did not find any good targets in the same line. So far so good.
Jury: Gov't Rightfully Seized 1933 Gold Coins
August 2011
The verdict capped an unusual civil case that combined history, coin collecting and whether the $20 “double eagles” ever legally left the US Mint.
The verdict capped an unusual civil case that combined history, coin collecting and whether the $20 “double eagles” ever legally left the US Mint.
Experts Forecast Rising Prices for Gold, Silver
August 2004
During the two investment conventions in Vancouver this January, the mood was incredibly upbeat. Gold was rising strongly and prospects appeared bright. The same was true at the giant PDAC gathering in Toronto in March. By late April the shine had come off the short-term prices of metals...
During the two investment conventions in Vancouver this January, the mood was incredibly upbeat. Gold was rising strongly and prospects appeared bright. The same was true at the giant PDAC gathering in Toronto in March. By late April the shine had come off the short-term prices of metals...
Melman on Gold & Silver
March 2014
...it is beginning to appear that we are recently witnessing a gradual buildup of background information that could lend strength to the arguments for ultimately higher gold and silver prices.
...it is beginning to appear that we are recently witnessing a gradual buildup of background information that could lend strength to the arguments for ultimately higher gold and silver prices.
Subscription Required:
The Ball Mill
• Our Readers Say
• WMD Raffle Raises Funds for Lawsuit
• Gold in Alabama
• From the Editor
• Yukon Placer Miners Fighting Extreme Discharge Limits
• Picks & Pans: Red Beryl Mining—Beaver County, Utah
• The Investigation
• A Gold Detector Sitting in a Closet Only Finds Dust—A Potpourri of Detector Tips
• Central Coast Ranges
• Poll: Montana in Favor of Repealing Anti-Mining Initiative
• Platinum in Laccoliths
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
• Looking Back
• Melman on Gold & Silver
