Jensen Technologies, LLC
Laboratory Services
Fee Schedule
Torch Fire Assaying
Effective January1, 2012
15985 South Golden Road, Unit H
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: (303) 478-3929
e-mail:admin@jensentechnologiesllc.com
Website: www.jensentechnologiesllc.com
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Jensen Technologies Lab has developed a Torch Fire Assaying Procedure.
Torch Fire Assaying Technique
Charles Butler at Butler Lab has developed an assay procedure to be
used as a supplement to furnace assaying of the noble metal ores.
It is quick and inexpensive, with most assays requiring 15 to 20
minutes. (Reprinted from Butler Lab Website www.butlerlab.com)
It is an excellent prospect tool and field guide for the drilling
crews. It can also be used to assay mill run samples and tails,
leach solutions, chemical precipitates and any of the noble
metallic salts, including silver, gold and the platinum group
metals. It is ideal for assaying wet or dry concentrates from one's
recovery system and the flow water being used in said system. This
water, when working with ores carrying water soluble values, will
carry away a portion of one's values unless steps are taken to save
them.
The infinite number of possible torch flame settings allows one to
create the reductive or oxidizing flames when they are required. As
a result, only two fluxes are required and we seldom have a
failure. When difficulties do arise, we are made aware of it within
a minute or so, allowing the assayer a chance to make any needed
adjustments of the torch, or the addition of either type flux.
1. When assaying for the "noble metals", in order to free our
metallic values, one must create a liquid fusion of the "assay
charge". We do this by mixing our crushed sample with the proper
assay flux and placing same inside a crucible. Then, with our oxyacetylene torch adjusted to the proper oxygen to acetylene ratio,
we create the "reductive flame" required to liquefy the assay. The
intense heat from the torch, applied directly down over the assay,
creates temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees centigrade,
enabling one to recover all of the noble metals, if present.
2. One needs a "collector" to collect and hold any liquefied gold,
silver or platinum group values the tested sample may have
contained. We accomplish this with one of our flux ingredients,
"litharge" a lead oxide powder. When performing correctly, heat
from our reductive torch flame changes this litharge to liquefied
lead. This lead alloys, or combines with all the molten noble
metals, except osmium, one of the platinum groups. When assaying
specifically for the platinum metals, most assayers add a silver
"inquart", either as foil or wire, to act as their collector, as
silver does alloy with all platinum group metals. In addition, the
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extreme effects the PGM's have on the silver "beads", makes for
easy recognition that platinum metals are present.
3. The fusion procedure must produce a 1/8 to 5/32 inch diameter
lead "button". This lead will start to appear as real small, shiny
beads, within the first 30 to 40 seconds, after applying the
reductive torch flame to the assay charge, if everything is working
as planned. Failure to observe any tiny lead beads, indicates
"trouble". A few difficult ores do require the adding of a second
measure of assay flux. When fusion is complete (everything
liquefied) and all lead has settled to the bottom of the crucible,
we dump the "slag", leaving the lead button in the crucible for
"scorification".
4. This step is the scorifying of the lead button to remove any
"base metals" (metals other than noble metals) that were picked up
by the molten lead. This is performed by adding a small pinch of
borax glass, then applying a highly oxidizing torch flame. The lead
button will catch on fire, burning at over 3,000 degrees
centigrade. This high heat changes all base metals to "scoria" or
ash, which joins the molten borax glass as a slag, for disposal.
The somewhat smaller lead button, containing any noble metal values
that were present, is dumped out onto an aluminum plate for
cooling.
Gold Bead
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Gold Dore Beads (Placer)
5. The next step is to "cupel" the button, to dispose of the lead.
Our cupels are small, bone ash cups. Their porosity adsorbs the
liquid litharge, created by the oxidizing of the lead button, with
the oxidizing torch flame. Cupelling is complete, when the button,
growing smaller, becomes a bead, refusing to reduce in size any
further. After the torch is withdrawn, most beads will "blick", or
flash, just as they begin to cool, at the very instant they change
from liquid to a solid. These beads are referred to as "dore
beads", as they may contain any or all of the noble metals, silver,
gold, platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium and ruthenium.
The assayer must determine which, with additional testing.
All measurements and computations are based on the volumetric
principal, instead of by weight. This, since scales sufficiently
accurate for this work would be very expensive and inappropriate
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for outdoor use. A small, accurately calibrated spoon is used to
measure out the material to be tested. A spoon five times larger is
used for measuring the flux. The noble metals are recovered as a
small, round bead, its diameter is measured with a 40X power,
optical comparator, rather than weigh them, to determine the value
of the ore which produced them. Through measurement and the use of
our "discoloring solution", most ores can be evaluated. However,
some beads do require "parting" with nitric acid and distilled
water to remove the silver, then rebeaded, before their ore can be
evaluated. The discoloring procedure lets us know when parting is
necessary. Actually, parting is seldom required, as at least 90% of
one's tests can be evaluated through use of natural observation and
the "Bead Discoloring Procedure". It readily identifies all beads
containing 75%, or more, silver and lets one know the approximate
silver content, ranging from 75% to 100%. The results are expressed
in "Troy Ounces" of silver or gold and platinum group metals per
ton of materials being assayed.
The following facts, comparing the torch assay procedure with the
conventional, furnace fire assay, will further indicate the
different ways in which this technique has advanced the art for the
prospector and miner.
l. There is no massive furnace to be heated, only a small assay
weighing a few grams and a two ounce crucible.
2. The "fusion charge", in the conventional assay, just lies there,
within the crucible, without benefit of any appreciable mechanical
stirring to assure that the molten lead will come into contact with
the entire melt, during fusion. In our method, the crucible is
manually rocked around in a circular motion, and in addition, the
flame is used to stir the melt, assuring complete alloying of the
lead and any noble metals contained within.
3. The method eliminates removal of any tiny beads from the cupels,
cleaning and weighing them. This is a tedious task, at best.
4. The entire process is carried out under one's visual
observation, from start to finish. This allows for the immediate
adjustment, if necessary to correct for conditions caused by some
troublesome ores.
5. The light weight, mobile equipment can be taken to a field site
if needed.
6. With the Torch Assay Procedure, one can develop, prove and
promote his gold, silver or platinum property.
8. Probably, the most important feature is the fact that one
receives an answer within minutes, instead of hours, days, or
weeks.
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Jensen Technologies is developing a PMA XRF Analyzer and GF-AAS to assay the small bead for Au,
Ag, and PGM directly.
Priority Service
Routine analyses are normally completed within 5 working days.
Samples arriving after 3:00 pm are logged into our system on the following business day.
When our analysis load permits, priority services are available for an additional charge. These services do not
guarantee results within the number of days specified as some procedures or combinations of procedures
require additional time. Priority service does insure that your samples will be prioritized over standard service
samples. Priority services require prior arrangement to insure availability. Projects requiring exceptional levels of
effort may be subject to additional surcharges.
Priority Service 25% surcharge
Sample Preparation
Crushing, Splitting, Pulverization (-200 Mesh) --------------------------------------------------------------------- $20/sample
Geological, Metallurgical, Geochemical, Process Samples, Solutions
Au/Ag (Torch Fire Assay (Duplicate Analysis recommended) ------------------------------------------------ $50/sample
Digital Micro Photograph (Bead) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $20/sample
ORDERING INFORMATION
GENERAL
Please complete either our Analysis Request Form on page 8.) or supply the following information on
your company's stationery:
1. Purchase Order Number.
2. Reporting and billing addresses.
3. Reporting phone number, FAX number and/or email address
4. Street address for sample return.
5. Sample I.D.
6. Analyses requested.
7. Information about the chemical structure and physical properties of all samples submitted for
analysis
9. Any hazards associated with the samples
10. Sample disposal information (see below)
Samples arriving after 3:00 pm. will be logged into our system on the next business day. Jensen
Technologies reserves the right to refuse to receive or analyze samples that are deemed to be unsafe
to handle in our facilities or for any other reason.
SAMPLE QUANTITY REOUIRED
Except for some physical tests and water determinations, a few grams of sample are typically an
adequate amount for most torch fire assays.
Check with Jensen Technologies to verify the sample quantities and/or handling required for analysis.
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ANALYSIS REPORTS
Analysis reports are normally sent by e-mail. Upon request, reports will be provided by telephone,
hard copy, or FAX at no additional charge. Inquire about other reporting formats.
All results are held in strict confidence. Results will be released to a third party only when authorized
by the original client.
QUOTATIONS
Written quotations are available to secure pricing for projects and special analyses. These quotations
are valid for 30 days unless otherwise noted. .
SAMPLE STORAGE, RETURN and DISPOSAL All samples remain the property of the client
Any unused portion of a sample will be returned unless the client certifies that the sample can
properly be disposed of in the municipal waste system (landfill or sewer). A fee of $3.00 per sample
(minimum $10.00 per order) will be billed for all returned samples.
Samples are normally held for 30 days after reporting.
PRICING POLICY
It is the policy of Jensen Technologies to set prices at a fair and equitable level for quality analytical
services.
While we attempt to maintain the listed rates, the prices are subject to change without notice. Specific
test methods and pricing may not be applicable to all sample types. In these cases the customer will
be notified and, if appropriate, a special price quotation will be provided.
DISCOUNTS
Discounts may be available for large quantities of samples.
Contact Jensen Technologies for more information.
PAYMENT
Payment for services must accompany order unless credit is arranged.
We accept cash or check for payment of services.
LIMITS OF LIABILITY AND WARRANTY
It is the intent of Jensen Technologies to provide the most reliable data possible for contracted
analyses. These services are provided without warranty or liability, implied or otherwise, of any kind.
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Jensen
Technologies, LLC
15985 South Golden Road, Unit H, Golden, CO 80401
Cell: 303-478-3929 E-mail: Jensen.tech@comcast.net
Website: www.jensentechnologiesllc.com
Sample Submission and Authorization Form
Page __of __
Please include this form with samples (please print)
Company Information (or Attach a Business Card)
Company name: ______________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
Telephone: _______________ Fax: _______________________
E-mail:________________________
Report To: __________________________________________
Report: via: e-mail / Fax / Mail (Circle)
Project No: ___________________
Project Name: ________________________________________
PO No: ________________________
Date Results Required: ____________________
Disposition of Samples after Analysis: Discard __ Return __ Forward __
WORK REQUEST
Sample ID
Cost:
Sample
Type
Sample Description
Number of Samples: ___________ (on this page)
Analytes
Comments
Date Received:
Sample Type: R=Rock; CR=Core; W=Wastewater - Water
PW=Produced Water; S=Soil; PPT=Precipitate; CONC=Concentrate;
PERM=Permeate; SL=Sludge; SED=Sediment; O=Other (Specify)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Authorization Signature: _______________________________
Date: ______________
Payment for services must accompany order unless credit is arranged.
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