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RADIO-CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF SYSTEMATIC ERRORS IN ROUTINE MINE ASSAYING OF WITWATERSRAND ORES

Journal Article · · J.S. African Inst. Mining Met.
OSTI ID:4827828
Experiments with gold-198 and silver-110 were performed to determine the magnitude of the systematic errors in the standard fire assay for gold. The influence of flux, the control of temperature of cupellation, and alterations to parting technique are described. It is shown that routine mine assays give values about 2% too low, made up as f lows: gold lost to crucible, slag and button dressing, 0.5%,; gold lost to cupel, 0.7%; dilution by iron during pulverizing, 1.2%; less silver retained when parting bead, 0.4%. As the major loss occurs during cupellation, attempts at improving the quality of cupels were made but were not encour
Research Organization:
RAND Mines Ltd., Johannesburg
NSA Number:
NSA-16-025635
OSTI ID:
4827828
Journal Information:
J.S. African Inst. Mining Met., Journal Name: J.S. African Inst. Mining Met. Vol. Vol: 62
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English