Sampling and Quality

Management - Introduction
Presented by
Mike Stewart
BSc, MSc(Hons), CFSG
Principal Consultant
Quantitative Group, Perth
 What do we mean when we say
sampling?

;In geology, the term sampling is often used rather

loosely
;We need to differentiate between:
¾ a set of samples collected to represent something
(e.g. the sampling used to define a resource is…)
¾ the action of collecting a sample from a deposit
(e.g. a bag of RC chips, or a rock-chip sample)
¾ the action of taking a sub-sample from a
previously collected sample (e.g. 2.5kg from 30kg
of RC chips)
 Terminology (continued)

;The number/location/distribution/size of drill

samples to take is in the realm of (geo)statistics
(depends on the spatial characteristics of the
thing we are sampling → REPRESENTATIVITY
;The breaking/cutting, delivery and collection of
the sample is in the realms of drill technology
;The sampling of broken drill material to yield an
aliquot for analysis is governed by the Theory of
Sampling (TOS)
 Sampling error
;Whenever we take a sample for the purposes of
representing a larger volume, we ALWAYS incur an
error.

Sampling error = grade of sample –true grade of larger volume

;The only time there is not error, is when we “sample

the LOT.”
Sampling errors
True grade of lot

Sampling error
1.12-1.23 = -0.11

Sampling error
1.37-1.23 = 0.14

0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4

grade
 Sample grade distribution

True grade of lot

pdf of
sample
grades
count

0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4

grade
 Sampling Error distribution

True grade of lot

Distribution
of errors
count

-0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 error

 What are the objectives of sampling?

What we desire from samples is that they are:

Unbiased
On average the grade of any sub-sample =
the grade of the sampled lot
Of acceptable precision
On average the differences (errrors)
between the grades of samples and the true
grade should be <= an acceptable minimum
level.
 Accuracy and Error

; Accuracy: Describes the degree of agreement

between a measurement and the “true” value of
what we are measuring.
In the case of sampling, the true value is
unknown.
; Error: The difference between a measurement
and the true value.

; Random Errors
; Systematic Errors
 Errors and Bias

; Sampling and analysis is accurate when the

mean sampling error approaches zero

; Bias: The difference between the average of a

large number of test results and the true value

; Bias is measured as the mean error in either

absolute or relative terms

; Accuracy is the absence of bias

 Precision:

; Precision: The closeness of agreement

between independent test results, obtained
under stipulated conditions.

; Measurement of precision is usually expressed

in terms of imprecision, and computed in terms
of the standard deviation of the test results.
Precision = Standard Deviation

; Quantitative measures of precision depend on

the conditions of measurement
Graphically

Precise & accurate Imprecise & accurate

Precise & inaccurate Imprecise & inaccurate

Graphically

True mean True mean

Precise & accurate Imprecise & accurate

True mean True mean

Precise & inaccurate Imprecise & inaccurate

 What is Quality?

; “ Quality is the totality of characteristics of a

sampling or analytical process that bear on its
ability to meet the stated or implied needs
and expectations of the user ”

; Before you can manage quality, you must

define what these needs are.

; In geology we frequently get this around

the wrong way.
 For example:

Type of samples Need/Expectation

Exploration sampling Good decisions can be made – don’t
programmes (e.g. miss it !!!,relinquish, spend more? …
aircore)
Resource definition Data is acceptable for use in
diamond drill sample publically reportable resource
estimates (JORC vs NI43-101)
Grade control blast GC estimates and ore-blocking result
hole sampling in acceptable mis-classification.

Tails stream Back calculation of recovery and

sampling head grade accurate.
 Fit for Purpose

; The quality required will always depend on

the envisaged use of the data.
; What is adequate for one purpose may not
be adequate for another.
; Data that is FIT FOR PURPOSE meets (or
exceeds) a specified level of quality.
; We therefore must be able to DEFINE and
MEASURE what quality is.
 Quality Management

Quality Management is the process of

establishing processes, systems and
checks to minimise errors during the
sampling and analysis process
 Quality Management

Is comprised of four (4) component activities

1. Quality Assurance (QA)

2. Quality Control (QC)
3. Reporting & Review
4. Continuous Improvement
 Definitions: QA

; Quality Assurance

(QA) is concerned with the future, i.e.

avoidance of problems through the
establishment of appropriate systems and
practices (Protocols).

; QA focuses on eliminating known or

predictable causes of quality problems to
prevent collection of poor quality data in the
first place.
 Definitions: QC

; Quality Control

(QC) is about monitoring and detection:

Incorporates measurement systems and

corrective strategies to minimise:

1. Future repetition; or
2. Continuation of …

detectable problems with quality

 Definitions: Reporting and Review

; Reporting and Review systems:

Ensure that processes are monitored for

quality in order to:
1. Identify problems; and
2. Improve systems
; Reporting and Review systems should be
viewed not as ‘accounting’ or ‘bureaucracy’
but as risk identification and reduction
mechanisms.
 Definitions: Continuous
Improvement
; Continuous Improvement requires:

Ongoing examination of all relevant

processes and systems with the aim of
removing:

1. Sources of error; and

2. Quality degradation
 Protocols

“ an official Company document that details the

method for a sampling or analytical operation …

… with thoroughly prescribed techniques and steps

…

… and is officially approved as the method for

performing specific sampling or analytical tasks.”

Protocols are central to good Quality Management!

 Quality Management Systems
Success of Quality Management systems depends on
company culture – this needs to be driven in both
directions:
; Top Down
; Knowledge/understanding
; Clearly communicated business objectives
; Support/resourcing
; Bottom Up
; Knowledge/Training
; Protocols
; Monitoring