MEAMTA2

Learning Unit 2: Tutorials

Example 1

Consider, for instance, a lead ore, assaying about 5% Pb, which must be routinely sampled for
assay to a confidence level of ± 0.1% Pb, 95 times out of 100. The galena is essentially liberated
from the quartz gangue at a particle size of 150 µm. The sampling is undertaken during crushing
and the top size of the ore is 25 mm. Assuming the galena is stoichiometrically PbS, and the ore is
composed of 5.8% PbS. The mineral density is 7.5 and the material density is 2.65. Use the Gy’s
formula to determine the minimum representative sample size required in kg treated in this plant.

Example 2

Samples of coal weighing 60lbs are taken from a coal stream flowing at 6600 lbs per minute to
measure the ash content, which is typically around 13%. Particles are rarely outside the 1-4inches
range. The liberation factor for ash was previously determined at 0.5. The density of coal and ash
are 3.5g/cc and 4.5 g/cc respectively. Compute the relative sampling error for this campaign.

Example 3

The Characteristics/properties of a cassiterite ore originated from the eastern DRC are summarized
in table below:

Material of Interest (SnO2) in a pegmatite matrix

Average grade of typical cassiterite ore:0.7% Sn (0.889% SnO2)

Size distribution:
Top Size:1.5 cm
Broad size distribution (d/d’>4)
SnO2 grain size:0.01cm

SnO2 Specific gravity :7.0

Overall ore specific gravity:2.8

Regular shape of valuable mineral grain (shape factor:0.5)

Question: Using the Gy’s calculation method, determine the sampling error at a certainty of 95
times out of 100 if a ROM sample of 12kg is collected for this ore.

Example 4

The following characteristics correspond to a chalcopyrite mineral embedded in a silica matrix:

Material of Interest (CuFeS2) in a silica matrix, 1.5% Cu (4.3318% CuFeS2);

Top Size= 1.5 cm;
CuFeS2 grain size= 0.01 cm;
CuFeS2 specific gravity= 3.2; Overall specific gravity: 1.8; Broad size distribution.
Sampling accuracy: +/-0.02% Cu
Desired certainty:95times out of 100

Using the Gy’s formula, determine the minimum representative sample size required in kg
treated by this plant.

Example 5

The characteristic of a malachite ore originated from the southern DRC are summarized in the
table below:

Material of interest (mineral) CuCO3Cu (OH)2 in a silica matrix

Average grade of the typical ore 2.5% Cu (5% CuCO3Cu (OH)2)
Size distribution:
Top size:18mm
Broad size distribution (g = 0.25)
Grain size :0.1mm
CuCO3Cu (OH)2 Specific gravity:5.3
Overall ore specific gravity:2.8
Regular shape of valuable mineral grain (shape factor:0.5)
Desired certainty (95 times out of 100)
Using the Gy’s calculation, determine the absolute sampling error if a sample quantity of 24kg is
collected for this ore.

Example 6

Assume the following conditions for a gold bearing ore crushed to about 0.93cm, with the
composition factor m=170 for gold silver amalgam. Assume f=0.2, g =0.25 and d=1.25cm. What
error is introduced when a sample of weight 10kg is taken from a pile of broken ore.

Example 7.

A copper concentration plant desires to evaluate the gold content in its copper ore. The ore is
composed of 5% CuFeS2 assaying about 1.2 % Au.10 kg of sample containing 2% moisture is
collected, crushed and screened. The particles are within 1-5inches size range. The liberation factor
for the mineral was previously determined at 0.45. If 0.95 certainty is required, and the assay for
metal content requires a dry sample. Apply the Gy’s calculation method to determine the absolute
sampling error. Mineral specific gravity: 3.5, Overall specific gravity: 2.5