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Laboratory Selection

Choosing the right laboratory is critical for obtaining reliable assay results. Key Criteria Accreditation - ISO 17025 accreditation required - Check scope covers required analytes - Verify current accreditation status Capacity and Turnaround - Match capacity to project needs - Understand rush vs. standard timelines - Consider seasonal demand variations Analytical Methods - Fire assay for gold industry standard - ICP-OES or ICP-MS for multi-element - Understand detection limits and ranges Laboratory Audits Conduct periodic audits to verify: - Sample preparation procedures - Calibration records - Internal QA/QC practices

  • All lessons in Sampling & QA/QC — Return to the complete Sampling & QA/QC course outline.
  • Previous lesson: Chain of Custody — Chain of custody documentation tracks samples from collection through final assay reporting. Purpose - Prevent sample tampering or loss - Enable audit…
  • Next lesson: Data Management — Proper data management ensures sampling data remains reliable and accessible. Database Design Required Fields - Sample ID unique identifier - Sample type…

Verification resources

Cross-check terminology, classification, methods, and safety with these authoritative external resources.

  • Mineral Exploration Best Practice Guidelines — Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Professional guidance for representative sampling, chain of custody, laboratories, security, and QA/QC.
  • National Instrument 43-101 — British Columbia Securities Commission. Canadian mineral-project disclosure requirements and related technical-report framework.
  • ISO/IEC 17025:2017 — International Organization for Standardization. The current international standard for laboratory competence, impartiality, and consistent operation, including the meaning and limits of an accredited scope.

Read GeoMiner's editorial methodology.

JavaScript is loading the interactive GeoMiner experience. The identification tools provide educational candidates, not laboratory confirmation.