SAMPLING METHOD

Caharian, John Carlo

Dayanan, Vynce Viktor
Hingco, Vincent
Department of Materials and Resources Engineering Technology
College of Engineering and Technology, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, 9200 Iligan City

Abstract: Sampling is a key component in mineral processing. It is the art of securing a small
weight or fraction that is representative of a relatively large mass to ascertain the true value of a
desired property of the material through its sample. In this experiment focused on sampling as an
essential part in mineral processing wherein a ‘representative’ a sample of the bulk material
(sand) is obtained. Three sampling methods were utilized – coning and quartering, jones riffle,
and lastly grab sampling. The process of coning and quartering is repeated until the sample is
reduced to the appropriate size for testing. Jones Riffle method involves a device wherein the
population is passed and halved in the process. Grab sampling method involves the manual
sampling of a material using the hands. It was the most inexpensive form of sampling in use for

several decades due to its cheapness.

[1] Introduction Sampling aims to reduce the size

The process of sampling is
crucial in the mineral processing
industry. Samples are taken in order to
produce a small percentage of material
from the large bulk that will be a
representative of the whole, this small
percentage being homogeneous.
Sampling procedures cover the practice
of selecting representative quantities of
test material in the field, to evaluate bulk
materials. Taggart (1945) defined
sampling as: “The operation of removing
a part convenient in size for testing, from
a whole which is of much greater bulk,
in such a way that the proportion and
distribution of the quality to be tested
(e.g., specific gravity, metal content,
recoverability) are the same in both the
whole and the part removed
(SAMPLE).”
MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022
Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021
of the population without altering the
defining characteristics present to
ascertain the true value of the desired
constituent. Sampling is governed by
uniformity, size, occurrence, and ratios
between the sample and the population.
All these are monitored to reduce the
introduction of bias in the sample
preparation. In sampling the uniformity
of the ore must be considered: the grade,
the homogeneity, and the size and
specific gravity.
Generally, sampling is the
process of selecting a part of a whole
such that a measured value for the part is
an unbiased estimate for the whole. In
mineral processing, a whole is referred
to as a sampling unit such a mass of mill
feed, dewatered concentrate or bullion,
or a volume of cyclone overflow or Figure 1: Side view of sample (a) in conical heap, and
(b) after flattening
tailings slurry.

Methods
For the experiment, three
sampling methods – Coning and
Quartering, Jones Riffle (Riffling), and
Grab Sampling – were applied for the
given bulk of sand. The sample was
mixed thoroughly before every division
of the bulk through rolling.
The first sampling method
performed was Coning and Quartering.
This method is well-suited for large lots
of material, and can be conveniently
done using shovels, or even front-end
loaders for very large samples. First, the
material is mixed and shoveled into a
uniform conical pile, as shown in Figure
1a. The pile must be made so that the
natural segregation in the cone is radially
symmetrical. The cone is then spread
from the center to form a flattened disk
of material, as shown in Figure 1b. This
disk is then divided into quarters using
wooden slat, round or squared shovel, as
shown in Figure 2. One pair of opposite
quarters is removed, and the other pair is
used as the sample. If the sample is too
large, then it can be coned and quartered
again until the desired sample size is
obtained. This procedure is also prone to
human error.
(a) (b)
Figure 2: Divide the sample into quarters. Use wooden
slat, round or squared shovel to delineate them so that
the sample can be divided precisely.
The second sampling method
was Jones Riffle (Riffling). This method
sample splitter is an open V-shaped
container under which a series of chutes
are at right angles to the long axis,
giving a series of rectangular slots of
equal area. These alternatively feed two
collection trays. The sample whose
particular size allows free movement
through the slots (the largest particle
being one-third the riffle opening) is
poured into the feeder and becomes split
into equal portions. It was then placed in
a container and then poured and passed
through the Jones Riffle. After repeated
cycles the desired sample size is
obtained.

MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022

Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021
 corner C to corner A, then corner D to corner B, then
repeat.

plastic bag

Figure 4: Dividing the mixed sample into subsamples,

by incremental division with a spatula.

The last sampling method was

Results and Discussion
Grab Sampling. This is the simplest
quickest, and most flexible method, as it Coning and Quartering
can be carried out on small quantities
using spatulas, or on large quantities The procedure was conducted
using shovels, and can divide the using a sand and weigh through the use
material into however many samples are of a weighing scale. The sample (sand)
desired. The material is first has an initial weight (Wi) of 20kg and
homogenized by thorough mixing on a the final weight (Wf) of 4.9kg. The
rolling mat, as shown in Figure 3. The method (Coning and Quartering) was
mat should be a smooth, flexible sheet repeated for two (2) times until we
that the sample will not stick to, such as achieved the desired weight of the
glazed paper, hard vulcanized rubber, or sample (sand).
smooth vinyl. The material is then
divided into samples by randomly No. of Weight of Weight of
grabbing small amounts from the Repetitions the Reject the Save
homogenized pile on the cloth, as shown in or Discard sample
in Figure 4. This method uses the least Quartering sample (sand)
equipment, but also is the most prone to the sample (sand)
human biases and has a higher variance (sand)
between samples than other methods.
1 9.8 kg 10.2 kg
A B

2 5.3 kg 4.9 kg

D C Table 1: Comparison of the weight of the sample

(sand) achieved by Quartering.
Figure 3: Mixing a sample on a rolling mat. Mix by
first drawing corner A so that the sample rolls towards Points of Discussion:
C, then drawing corner B to corner D, then drawing

MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022

Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021
 1. As the sample is shoveled, the
cone does not mix the ore
uniformly. How do the large
pieces behave as they are heaped
into the cone? Illustrate.
- As the sample is shoveled,
the cone does not mix the ore
or sand uniformly the large
pieces will suddenly end up
at the bottom of the cone and
there are some large pieces
will remain in the center of
the cone.
2. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of using a Jones
Riffles, as compared to other
sampling methods.
Advantages:
- Continuous diversion of ore
reduces bias in sampling.
- When used properly, it
provides an accuracy that is
recognized throughout the
industry.
- The equipment is
economical.
- This unit is substantially
constructed and most
accurate sample splitter yet
devised for hand operation.
Disadvantages:
- Has a limitation that the
largest ore particle size
should be smaller than the
chute.
- Riffle splitters can perform
well, but the results rely on
the skill and training of the
operator.
MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022
Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021
- The method is limited to free-
flowing samples.
- There should be no bias in
presenting the sample to the
chutes
3. Differentiate the form of heap
when the shovelful is dumped
directly onto the apex, and when
it is dumped in the usual manner
illustrate.
-
4. Based on the visual examination
of the material after sampling,
can you draw conclusions as to
the efficiency of the sampling
method? Which sample can
consider as having a higher
efficiency of sampling?
- Based on the visual
examination of the material
after sampling, they are all
efficient in their own manner,
but there are some elements
that may impact their
efficiency. Out of the three
sample methods mentioned,
Jones Riffles has the highest
sampling efficiency because,
in addition to being cost-
effective, the employment of
machines reduces sampling
error.
Conclusion /blog/laboratory-methods-of-
sample-preparation
[5] Surendra K. Kawatra, Professor.
(2009).
Http://Www.Chem.Mtu.Edu/Che
m_eng/Faculty/Kawatra/CM3820
_2009_Sampling.Pdf.

References
[1] Ferrer, R. A. (2018). Sampling
Methods in Metallurgical
Analysis.
Https://Www.Academia.Edu/360
06732/Sampling_Methods_in_M
etallurgical_Analysis.
[2] The International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
(1990). IUPAC - coning and
quartering (C01265).
Https://Goldbook.Iupac.Org/Ter
ms/View/C01265.
[3] Merks, Jan W. "Sampling in Mineral
Processing." Accessed February
22, 2018.
https://www.911metallurgist.com
/blog/wp-
content/uploads/2016/12/Samplin
g_Mineral-Processing.pdf
[4] Michaud, D. (2021, May 17).
Laboratory Methods of Sample
Preparation. Mineral Processing
& Metallurgy.
https://www.911metallurgist.com

MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022

Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021
MMT 151.1 1ST sem SY 2021-2022
Prof. Myra V. Cabatingan, Eng’g.
Experiment No.1
September, 2021