Sampling Theory & Best Practice – Online or In-Person in Bristol, UK & Johannesburg, SA

Presenters: Julian Aldridge – Regional Manager; Senzeni Mandava – Principal Consultant; Laurie Hassall – Senior Consultant

The mightiest operation starts with a single sample. Understanding the impacts of poor sampling, how to optimise the frequency size and the nature of the sample, and quantifying the errors associated with your samples is among the most important information you must have.

In this one-day course, we examine the two principal fields of sampling – theory and practice. Practice of how the sample is taken, delimited, reduced, transported, and prepared; and the theory of how to measure the errors associated with our sampling protocols, and to optimise those protocols. The outcomes will be a detailed understanding of what the key issues in sampling are and how to ensure value add in the sampling process.

Course outline:

• Introduction – fundamentals of sampling; precision, accuracy, and bias; the relationship between sampling and QAQC; a practical demonstration of sampling issues
• Understanding the various types of sampling error and how they interact; realise that errors in sampling don’t cancel!
• A thorough review of sampling practice from exploration through to concentrate sampling at the port; sampling horror stories and success stories
• How to calculate the fundamental sampling error and the three key drivers for sampling error; the FSE and total error; the FSE and the nugget effect
• Sampling protocols; what are they, how to calculate one, how to analyse and critique one; the objectives of a protocol
• Sampling throughout the mining/processing/shipping cycle; good and bad samples; understanding sampling for metal balance calculations.

During the course, attendees will:

• Cover the key areas of sampling practice associated with drillholes, broken material and moving sample streams
• Understand how to take a reliable sample and how to recognise and remedy poor sampling practice in the exploration and mining cycle
• Appreciate the various errors that contribute to overall sampling error; understand which can be minimised and which can merely be measured
• Construct and evaluate sampling protocols and learn how to optimise sampling schemes for maximum return on investment
• Understand the effects of sampling practice in reconciliation and metallurgical balance

Open-Book Post-Course Assessment Exam

As part of your course package, you have the option to take an open-book post-training course assessment exam at no additional cost. This is a valuable opportunity for you to reinforce your learning and demonstrate your understanding of the course material, and for you to add to your professional portfolio.
Key Points:
Open-Book Exam: You can use your course materials during the exam to assist you.
No Extra Cost: The exam is included in the price you have already paid for the course.
Graded Certificate: Upon successful completion, you will receive a graded Certificate of Assessment, showcasing your achievement.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to earn your Certificate of Assessment, which can be a great addition to your professional portfolio.

Duration (in days)

3

Registration

To register for this training course or to request additional information, please email training@snowdenoptiro.com

Terms and Conditions for Snowden Optiro Training Courses

Course Registration

• By registering for the course, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
• Registrations are accepted either through the Registration on this page or by email request to training@snowdenoptiro.com

Payment

• A Purchase Order or full payment by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) prior to the course start date is requested.
• Payment details will be provided on the invoice.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Cancellations received 14 days or more before the course start date: Participants will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations received less than a week (7-days) before the course start date: No refund will be issued. However, participants may nominate a replacement attendee to take their place, either as an online attendee or an in-classroom attendee.
• All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to training@snowdenoptiro.com

Course Changes and Cancellations by Us

• We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule courses if necessary. In such cases, participants will be offered a full refund or the option to attend a rescheduled course or an alternative course of equal value.
• We will notify participants of any changes or cancellations at the earliest opportunity.

Participant Substitutions

• Participant substitutions are allowed up to the start date of the course. The replacement attendee must provide their contact information prior to the course start date.
• All substitution requests must be submitted in writing via email to training@snowdenoptiro.com

Course Materials and Access

• Participants will receive all necessary course materials and access information prior to the course start date.
• Course materials are for the exclusive use of the participant and may not be shared, distributed, or reproduced without our prior written consent.

Liability

• We are not liable for any loss, damage, or injury incurred by participants during the course.
• Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and travel arrangements.