Handling of Field Duplicates

HANDLING OF CLIENT FIELD DUPLICATES AND REFERENCE MATERIALS

Policy Scope

SGS Minerals Services Geochemistry policy 2005-1 specifically applies to the laboratory handling of field duplicates and reference materials submitted by our clients. The inclusion of field duplicates and reference materials is done for the following purposes:

1. To confirm that our laboratories are producing an acceptable level of quality.
2. To provide the data needed to calculate the overall precision and accuracy of their sampling programs in order to pass routine 2nd party audits required to be in compliance with the stock exchange regulations, instrument 43-101 in Canada and the JORC Code in Australia.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of all SGS Minerals Services Geochemistry laboratory managers and Quality Personnel to ensure this policy is understood and adhered to by all laboratory personnel.

Procedure

Field duplicates and reference materials submitted by the client are the property of the client and for their benefit only. It is a requirement that client submitted materials/controls are treated as unknowns. The following practices are NOT permitted in any of our Geochemistry laboratories:

1. Assaying a client submitted material separate to, or under conditions different to, the rest of the samples submitted as unknowns. The only acceptable reason for re-analyzing a client submitted control sample is if the batch of samples that contains the client control fails due to our internal quality control measures.
2. Tabulating and/or tracking of client submitted controls via hardcopy or electronic medium for use as an aid to monitor SGS’s laboratory quality.

The only exception to the above policy is when our laboratory has received written permission from the client to track, tabulate and use client submitted controls as part of the laboratories quality control measures. All labs are required to obtain and retain this permission prior to the start of the project and/or each calendar year.

SGS’s internal auditing procedures will monitor the labs conformance to this policy. Non conformance will result in serious disciplinary action.