ASTM E1805-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1805 − 13 E1805 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gold in Copper Concentrates by Fire
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Assay Gravimetry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1805; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method is for the determination of gold in copper concentrates in the content range from 0.2 μg/g to 17 17 μg μg/g.⁄g.
NOTE 1—The lower scope limit is set in accordance with Practice E1601.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 11.3.1, 11.5.4, and 11.6.5.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology E135.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A test sample of copper concentrate is fluxed and fused in a clay crucible. The precious metals are reduced, collected in a lead
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metallurgical Materials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2013Oct. 1, 2021. Published June 2013October 2021. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
E1805 - 07.E1805 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E1805-13.10.1520/E1805-21.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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E1805 − 21
button, and then cupelled to remove the lead. The remaining doré bead is parted with nitric acid to remove the silver and other
impurities from the gold. The gold is then annealed, cleaned, and weighed on a microbalance.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 In the metallurgical process used in the mining industries, gold is often carried along with copper during the flotation
concentration process. Metallurgical accounting, process control, and concentrate evaluation procedures for this type of material
depend on an accurate, precise measurement of the gold in the copper concentrate. This test method is intended to be a reference
method for metallurgical laboratories and a referee method to settle disputes in commercial transactions. It is also a definitive
method intended to test materials for compliance with compliance with compositional specifications and to provide data for
certification of reference materials. It is essential that each performance of the method be validated by applying it to appropriate
reference materials at the same time and in the same manner as it is applied to the unknowns.
5.2 It is assumed that all who use this test method will be trained analys
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