over 45 countries and operates 17 laboratories, write Mr.
Graham Stewart and Mr. Kozo Matsumoto, Alex Stewart International
Corporation. Alex Stewart International provides its customers
samples for exploration projects. Core business services are for
industries.
modern sampling theory, not on rule-of thumb.
the number of replicate analyses.
to decide the target value of the total sampling variance.
variance.
P. Gy’s theory using the concept of variogram; and
traditional theory stemmed from some of JIS standards.
standard distribution.
If this is not deemed to be the case, then it is better to follow Gy’s theory.
tends to be much less than the one established by traditional theory. However, at
Alex Stewart International, it is believed that the truth lies is between both theories and
that considerable experience in actual shipments is vital.
content of any bulk cargo is extremely important. This point
is rarely carried out at the loading point. Alex Stewart has
considerable experience in this throughout the world.
samples will not resolve any sampling issues. Too many samples
can create other serious difficulties in sample reduction. This
experience.
SGS Minerals Services provide support to clients in the minerals
sector both as a strategic partner and as a technical advisor.
Through a global network of offices and laboratories, it delivers
a broad spectrum of independent services for:
- coal and coke;
- base and precious metals;
- steel and steelmaking raw materials;
- solid biomass;
- fertilizers;
- cement;
- industrial minerals; and
- diamonds.
SGS’s wide range of services includes geochemical analysis,
exploration services, mineralogy, metallurgy, environmental
sustainability, advanced systems, trade services and risk mitigation.
SGS provides a comprehensive range of services for the iron ore
industry, from the initial mineral exploration stage, to feasibility,
production, trade and industrial use, and mine site closure and
reclamation. SGS can provide the following services:
- umpire and settlement analysis;
- proficiency testing;
- collateral management;
- commercial inspection services;
- mechanical sampling systems (MSS); and
- E-Reports and e-Certificates.
SGS has the industry expertise to provide services on a
global platform for all levels of operation, including the
production, selling, buying and transporting of iron ore materials.
UMPIRE AND SETTLEMENT TRADE ANALYSISSGS’s laboratories employ uniform analytical and operational
methodologies, follow industry-leading quality assurance and
quality control practices, and use standardized templates for the
presentation of their results. SGS’s professional staff share best
practices and expertise, ensuring that all remain on the leading
edge of quality assurance/quality control practices, including
internal round robin programmes. Having specialized
laboratories strategically located around the world allows SGS
to provide the rapid turnaround necessary to facilitate
international trade in high-value materials.
PROFICIENCY TESTING PROGRAMMESSGS’ Laboratory Quality Services International (LQSi)
programme provides a quality-monitoring tool for SGS’s global
network of analytical laboratories, as well as for numerous
independent laboratories. LQSi’s proprietary statistical software
may be used to evaluate data from proficiency tests where
sample preparation, distribution and data compilation is
conducted by organizations other than LQSi. LQSi offers the
following laboratory quality services:
proficiency (round robin) testing;
proficiency test reporting services; and
quality control samples.
COLLATERAL MANAGEMENTSGS provides collateral management solutions to reduce
operational risk and improve profitability by ensuring that the
quantity and/or quality of goods being stored or shipped comply
with contractual requirements. In addition, SGS guarantees that
its services meet the specific requirements of credit institutions
and it has trusted stock-monitoring services to reduce shipping
and storage risks.
COLLATERAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS (CMA)Collateral Management Agreements (CMA) allow SGS clients to
secure a loan using physical commodities as collateral. It is a
three-party agreement among the product owner/borrowing
party, SGS (the collateral manager) and the given credit
institution. Under a CMA, SGS acts as the custodian of
commodities until requirements of the financial institution are
met by continuous possession and responsibility for the iron ore
cargo while it is in storage. SGS guarantees the cargo’s weight
upon delivery, eliminating risk of shrinkage and/or financial loss.
SGS’ CMA provides financial advantages by:
facilitating access to structured trade finance;
making trade finance more economical; and
allowing longer-term revolving financing.
COMPREHENSIVE AND TRUSTED CUSTODIAL SERVICESTo ensure that risks to the physical control and availability of the
iron ore cargo are minimized, SGS maintains and protects cargo
following strict internal SGS standards. It secures legal control
of the storage facilities by leasing the premises from the owner
and it provides non-negotiable bankable receipts stating that the
goods specified will be delivered as per the agreement. A
bankable SGS CMA will guarantee the weight and/or quantity of
iron ore cargo and ensure that the CMA meets local regulatory
laws.
COMMERCIAL INSPECTION SERVICESSGS delivers a broad spectrum of independent evaluation
services to ports and terminals worldwide, aimed at reducing
operational risks and maximizing profits. All SGS port work is
done in accordance with internationally accepted standards such
as ASTM, EPA, ISO and JIS. Whether buying, selling or
transporting iron ore material, SGS experts can minimize commercial and
contractual risk by ensuring that the quality and quantity of material is the
same during loading, shipping and receiving. The company’s commercial
inspection services include hold inspections, loading master, on-line
analysis, mechanical sampling systems, on- and off-hires, bunker and
conditional surveys, weight and quantity verification, draught surveys
and sea-going barges and vessels.
MECHANICAL SAMPLINGSampling can be carried out either manually or mechanically, the
latter being preferable with respect to operator safety and
accuracy. SGS engineers are at the forefront of mechanical
sampling design and installation. They have the operating
experience and knowledge needed to ensure that the system
design meets ASTM and ISO standards and that they are
consistently reliable, unbiased and accessible for maintenance.
The advantages of an SGS mechanical sampling system include:
- elimination of human error;
- representative, unbiased samples;
- assurance of consistent operation;
- time and cost savings;
- improved product stream sampling;
- maintenance of constant and repeated cutter velocity; and
- maintenance of sample integrity.
E-REPORTS & E-CERTIFICATESSGS’s e-Certificate platform dramatically improves the issuance
of documents. SGS certificates are generated through SGS’s
onSITE system and are sent by e-mail for instant verification by
any party involved. SGS will validate
the certificate on-line to ensure
increased security. The SGS onSITE
website contains:
- e-Certificate — sent by e-mail and authenticated by using the onSITE authentication page; and
- e-Report — personal online account to access repository of SGS e-Reports.
- SGS e-Certificates fully comply with the Uniform Customs and
- Practice for Documentary Credits for Electronic Presentation.
CONCLUSIONSGS strives to provide value added solutions to all operational
aspects of the iron ore industry, from early stage exploration
through to transportation and the end-user. SGS can help
minimize operational and financial risk through industrial
expertise and improve operational efficiencies with experienced
technical leadership. SGS is an innovator in inspection,
verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878,
SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and
integrity. With over 59,000 employees, SGS operates a network
of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.