An overview of sampling best practice in African mining
IC Spangenberg, RCA Minnitt
The status of sampling practices in the gold mining industry in Africa
was determined as an initial step in a process to standardize sampling
practices in the mining industry. Twenty-one gold mines, twenty
metallurgical plants, and thirteen laboratories were rated for the
potential influence of the relevant sampling errors on each
component of the particular sampling system. The findings of the
study on the status of equipment, standards, procedures, and
management principles were presented in a dissertation
(Spangenberg, 20121) and are now used by AngloGold Ashanti’s
mines in the quest for correct sampling practices. The information is
also used to compile a guideline on leading practice procedures for
sampling methods in gold mining. This article is an overview of
sampling best practice found in African mining.
Keywords: theory of sampling, best practise, sampling errors, sampling
standards.