ISO 10378-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10378:2016 — Copper, lead and zinc sulfide concentrates — Determination of gold and silver — Fire assay gravimetric and flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. This publication (available as PDF and ePub) defines a fire‑assay (cupellation) gravimetric procedure combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of gold and silver in sulphide concentrates.

Abstract

ISO 10378:2016 specifies a fire assay gravimetric and flame atomic absorption spectrometric method for the determination of the mass fraction of gold and silver in copper, lead and zinc sulfide concentrates. The standard gives applicable concentration ranges and matrix limits for copper, lead and zinc concentrates (gold: down to 0.1–0.5 g/t up to hundreds of g/t depending on matrix; silver: from tens to thousands of g/t depending on matrix).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed in 2022).
• Publication date: February 2016 (published 18 February 2016).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 73.060.99 (minerals, ores and metallurgy related classification).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2016).
• Number of pages: 50 (ISO official publication pagination).

Information above is based on the ISO bibliographic entry for ISO 10378:2016.

Scope

This standard covers a lead‑collection fire assay (fusion, cupellation/parting) followed by gravimetric determination (for gold) and flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination (for silver) for copper, lead and zinc sulfide concentrates. It defines applicable sample types, concentration ranges and matrix limits: for copper concentrates (Au approx. 0.5 g/t–300 g/t; Ag 25–1 500 g/t in Cu 15–60 %), lead concentrates (Au 0.1–25 g/t; Ag 200–3 500 g/t in Pb 10–80 %) and zinc concentrates (Au 0.1–12 g/t; Ag 10–800 g/t with Zn up to 60 %). The method sets out required sample handling, fusion/cupellation steps, and measurement techniques appropriate for those matrices.

Key topics and requirements

• Fire assay (lead collection) fusion and slag separation procedures (fusion fluxes, temperatures, furnace conditions).
• Cupellation and parting technique to separate precious metal prill from lead.
• Gravimetric determination of gold (weighing prill or beads) with required balances and uncertainty considerations.
• Use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of silver after appropriate dissolution/solution preparation.
• Defined applicability and detection ranges for Au and Ag by matrix (Cu, Pb, Zn concentrates) and guidance on sample sizes.
• Calibration, quality control (use of certified reference materials), blank and spike checks, and reporting units in g/t (ppm).
• Notes on matrix interferences, homogeneity and when alternate methods may be required (very low or very high concentrations, refractory or PGM‑bearing samples).

Key technical requirements and concentration ranges are taken from the standard summary and scope.

Typical use and users

Used by analytical and assaying laboratories, mining company assay offices, metallurgical laboratories, commodity traders, and quality assurance teams for concentrate valuation and assay certification. Typical workflows include assay of incoming concentrate shipments, production control, resource/ reserve reporting (where fire assay is the reference method), and laboratory intercomparisons. Laboratories performing this method typically hold appropriate accreditation (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) and use certified reference materials for QC.

Related standards

Standards commonly referenced alongside ISO 10378 include the earlier version ISO 10378:2005 (withdrawn and superseded by the 2016 edition), other international methods for cupellation and fire assay such as ISO 11426 (cupellation for jewellery and precious metals), and national/industry fire assay methods (for example ASTM fire‑assay standards used in bullion and assay laboratories). Sample preparation and AAS method standards (e.g., ISO methods for AAS procedures and sample digestion/extraction) are also typically referenced.

Keywords

fire assay, cupellation, gravimetric, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), gold assay, silver assay, copper concentrate, lead concentrate, zinc concentrate, mineral concentrates, assay methods, ISO 10378

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10378:2016 is an ISO International Standard that specifies a fire assay (lead collection) gravimetric procedure combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometric measurement for determining gold and silver in copper, lead and zinc sulfide concentrates.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample handling, fusion and cupellation (fire assay) procedures, gravimetric determination of gold, FAAS determination of silver, applicable concentration ranges for each concentrate type, and QC and reporting requirements for assay laboratories working with sulfide concentrates.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Analytical and assaying laboratories, mining company assay offices, metallurgical labs, commodity valuation teams, and regulators — essentially any organization needing certified assay results for gold and silver in sulfide concentrates.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10378:2016 is the current edition published in February 2016. The ISO bibliographic record shows the 2016 edition was reviewed and confirmed in 2022, so it remains the active version (the 2005 edition was withdrawn and superseded).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 10378 is a focused method standard (minerals/metallurgy family) and is related to other ISO assay and precious‑metal determination standards (for example, cupellation standards for jewellery and other AAS/ICP methods). National and industry standards on fire assay and analytical methods (e.g., ASTM fire‑assay methods) are complementary references.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Fire assay, cupellation, gold, silver, gravimetric, FAAS, concentrates, copper sulfide, lead sulfide, zinc sulfide, assay, mineral analysis.