bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The complex futility of the Liberation Factor
Authors: Pitard F.
Published: May 2022

Prior to 1957 Dr. Pierre Gy knew two objectives needed to be addressed to optimize the sample mass with respect to well defined Data Quality Objectives; these two objectives were: First, determine the appropriate sample mass to represent all fragments size fractions present in the lot to be sampled, being perfectly aware that the size fraction most difficult to sample was the size fraction made of the largest fragments. The logic was that the content of the constituent of interest changes from one size fraction to the next. Second, determine the appropriate sample mass to represent the largest particles of a given constituent of interest in a specific state of comminution. Basically, someone had to make the calculation twice and select the worst outcome as the necessary sample mass.

To overcome this difficulty and provide a valid formula for both cases, Dr. Pierre Gy created his famous formula accounting for the size of the largest fragments and taking care of the size of the largest particles of the mineral of interest by introducing the concept of the liberation factor for a given state of comminution. This was at the time a huge academic achievement. However, it is well known that over the years this formula and the determination of the liberation factor led to arguments, controversy, and vast misuse from sampling practitioners. That new revolutionary approach that was suggested by Dr. Pierre Gy turns out to be too complicated for sampling practitioners to resolve their sampling problems effectively, and not be the target of unfair criticism.

This paper suggests a wise return to the old strategy making the calculations twice and determine what is the worst scenario to determine the necessary sample mass. The approach is simple, with no necessary determination of a liberation factor, and unlikely to lead to errors due to the inherent complexity of Dr. Pierre Gy’s famous formula.
Liberation factor for ‘closely sieved’ material
Authors: Francois-Bongarcon D.
Published: May 2022

Closely sieved (a.k.a. calibrated) material, i.e. material obtained as retained between two screens, is commonly sampled. One example is some iron ores, when drill-hole samples are screened at multiple sizes and the size fractions are sampled in an attempt at predicting iron ore products that could be generated. Another, growing example is the heterogeneity testing method in which instead of crushing parts of a lot at different sizes to generate experimental series of samples, a single coarse crushing is used, then size fractions are obtained by screening and experimental series are generated from each one. Questions automatically then arise: How do we control the sampling variance when sampling calibrated material? And how can we use calibrated material in heterogeneity testing? Under deeper examination, the issue amounts to finding a model for the liberation factor of the calibrated material. A method was used to find a reasonable form for that model, to be customised, as in the general case of unsieved, crushed material, using heterogeneity testing.
Applications of the sampling uncertainty (SU)
Authors: Svensmark Bo
Published: May 2022

The Sampling Uncertainty (SU) recently proposed allows the estimation of the sampling uncertainty including the Grouping and Segregation Error (GSE), the Fundamental Sampling Error (FSE) or the Fundamental Sampling Uncertainty (FSU) and the long range sampling errors for 1-dimensional sampling. SU is calculated from the spatial distribution of the analyte in a manner similar to cyclic convolution. For 1-dimensional sampling SU is shown to be better than variogram integration in case of cyclic or non-stationary variations and by being independent of the nugget effect when the nugget effect is close to zero. Three cases will be treated in detail: The problems with a low nugget effect, the effect of autocorrelation on 1-dimensional sampling and the effect of cyclic variations. For the effect of cyclic variations discrete Fourier transform (DFT) analysis is included to explain the findings and to filter the data. Finally, it is shown that DFT and SU give similar results for the cyclic pattern in the data when SU is calculated for a sampling ratio mass(lot)/mass(sample) = 2. Even though SU itself can estimate the sampling uncertainty correctly, it is proposed always to include a variographic analysis and a DFT analysis to characterize the spatial heterogeneity of the data.
Economic benefits of improving precision
Authors: Bruce Trevor , Hidding Michael
Published: May 2022

Better sampling, preparation, and analysis (SPA) can improve the precision of results for resource grades and commodity trading. What we are often asked by customers is how they might quantify these improvements in terms of economic benefits.

One way to do this is by applying the SPA precision of your results to the selling price of the resource. In this paper, a deeper look into resource pricing methodology for iron ore will be undertaken and how improved precision, on the quantification of the critical elements in this product, can affect the selling/purchase price of this commodity.

Using a real-world example, this paper will show the results of a basic business case study, investigating the return on investment (ROI) for a Sampling Improvement Project (SIP) including a well-designed sampling, sample transport, sampler preparation and analysis facility. The investigation will include the estimated total cost of the SIP, from the problem statement to implementation, together with an estimate on operational costs. This is then compared to the potential profit gains that the SIP could provide.

Primary focus will be on structures/methods used to determine commodity prices, how the measurement of the concentration of the critical elements link to pricing, and how variations in measured vs actual concentrations effect the final price. Also considered will be the economic benefits of faster more reliable data collection as well as improved quality moisture measurement.
Implementing proactive quality assurance quality control (QAQC) and quality management (QM) practices at coal testing laboratories
Authors: Kelly J. , Dominguez O.
Published: May 2022

Many commercial coal testing laboratories are accredited to ISO 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. There is an expected reliance in the Coal mining industry that the laboratory adheres to all elements of this standard in between successive accreditation audits conducted every 18 months by the independent accreditation body, National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

In the absence of proactive QAQC & QM practices monitoring the quality of the information reported by laboratories, potential issues impacting production decisions and reconciliation results are only determined in a reactive manner. In addition, for mining companies working with several internal and external laboratories across the supply chain, the management of the logistics, practices and information becomes very challenging and time-consuming, impacting the company’s ability to track laboratory results as key inputs in a production and reconciliation perspective.

The absence of proactive QAQC & QM practices results in a sub-optimal/reactive approach in the Coal industry, increasing the risk of short-term unaware production gaps related to quality, increased time required for quality breach investigations, the absence of a holistic approach/monitoring in the value chain, and the financial impact for the business performing under sub-optimal conditions.

This paper aims to show the journey towards the implementation of a new proactive QAQC and QM program, where now the quality of many different laboratories across the supply chain can be monitored and linked with global reconciliation results, as an improvement opportunity to complement the current industry standard ISO 17025 accreditation and Proficiency Round Robin approach.
Comminution sizes in sampling calculations
Authors: Francois-Bongarcon D. , Oliver R
Published: May 2022

As was demonstrated by Gy empirically, then elucidated by Francois-Bongarcon, only the P95 size of comminuted material (i.e. the size of a screen rejecting 5% of the material in mass) is relevant to sampling theory variance formulas. In practice, when establishing sampling nomograms or using historic data for heterogeneity testing, the P95 is not always known and the material is not always preserved for P95 determinations by screening. A non-theoretical study of the experimental material previously used and published by Gy had suggested some unpublished, rule-of-thumb, order-of-magnitude correspondence between other Pxx sizes (e.g. P100, P80, P75, etc.) and P95, to be used as a last resort when no better determination is possible. This correspondence surprisingly followed an arithmetic progression. In this paper, various types of size distributions were researched and most of these rule-of-thumb formulas were reasonably confirmed, except for the correspondence between P95 and P100 (maximum size), which was therefore updated. The reasons for the arithmetic progression and its exception for P100 also became clearer in the process.
The sampling interface—A critical Theory of Sampling success factor in process sampling and PAT
Authors: Esbensen K. , Sivalingam V.
Published: May 2022

In the process industry arena, analytical endeavors are today well served by the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) framework, offering a plentitude of on-line analytics, mostly spectroscopic: UV-VIS, NIR, RAMAN, NMR, “acoustic chemometrics” a.o. This context is generally considered satisfactory, but there is a major catch. The present paper focuses on a fundamental feature in process sampling, the link between an on-line analytical technique and a moving stream of matter, which is to be characterised, monitored, and analysed. A process sampling operation can serve many objectives; process regulation, product or interim product characterisation, optimisation of raw material consumption, maximizing energy efficiency, pollution, and environmental impact management ‒ or process, plant, company, corporation decision making at supervisor and management levels concerning economics and risk management. All these objectives can only be meaningfully undertaken if based onrelevant information, that is, if based on reliable analytical data, which in turn is 100% dependent upon representative samples, or representative sensor signals. The singular common element in all of this is the process sampling interface. This paper develops a critique of most current interfaces, with a scathing verdict: the dual role of the process sampling interface as both delineating an appropriate aliquot volume while facilitating the specific analytical technique, has largely been overlooked, with a significant negative effect that is spelled out in full detail across implemented solutions across widely different application sectors. Most current process sampling interfaces do not comply with TOS’ demands, putting representativity severely at risk for heterogenous materials.
Online elemental analysis for process control in the mineral processing industry
Authors: Rybok L. , Kowoll T. , Thomas A. , Nad A. , Bachmann C.
Published: May 2022

Even though devices to perform online and inline elemental analysis are widely available, they are generally under-utilised in the mineral processing industry. Instead, information obtained from laboratory analysis of material samples is used for process control, despite of sample analysis being time-consuming, expensive and error prone. Thus, in this paper, we demonstrate that online elemental analysis is a viable alternative to sampling-based material monitoring. To this end, we present the results of field-studies performed in a controlled environment, as well as at a flotation cell of the GTK Mintec mineral processing pilot plant. In both studies, we analyse the copper concentration in a suspension using the FLORIDA XRF device and report relative errors as low as 4% under controlled conditions, and 6% at the processing plant.
Moisture determination. Mass loss on drying – commercial sampling washed away
Authors: Vogel D.
Published: May 2022

What is this? Sampling washed away; “samplewashing?” Greenwashing is a known term nowadays, but is there such a thing as “Samplewashing” too? Yes and no: Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound. … Greenwashing is a play on the term “whitewashing”, which means using misleading information to gloss over bad behaviour. And that is what this sampling paper is all about: presenting moisture results on samples of solid bulk materials where the theory of sampling was not applied… and therefore sampling errors are magnified by not only glossing over the representativeness of the process, but at the same time by watering-down the monetary profits of the trade for one whilst condensing them for the other party. It really is “Samplewashing” when it comes to moisture determination!
Fake data? The need for Theory of Sampling concepts in environmental research and investigations
Authors: Brewer R. , Ramsey C. , Heskett M. , Song J.
Published: May 2022

The sampling intensive mining and environmental industries share a common need for representative data but differ in the motivations to accomplish this objective. The desire to obtain representative sample data for “commodities” in the mining industry is driven by anticipated economic gain and the exploitation of natural resources. The desire to obtain representative sample data for “contaminants” in the environmental industry is driven by anticipated social gain and the protection of natural resources. In terms of obtaining reliably representative data, motivation driven by economic gain has thus far been the clear winner. Theory of Sampling concepts are well established and tested in the mining industry. The environmental industry, in contrast, has traditionally been plagued by scientifically unsound sampling practices and data that are not reliably representative of conditions in the field. This has significant implications for topics ranging from the efficient identification and remediation of contaminated industrial lands to the accurate assessment of risk to human health and the environment.

This paper explores the nature and cause of this dichotomy and presents a methodical approach for application of Theory of Sampling concepts to environmental testing of soil, water and air. Much of the problem is tied to a general recognition of compositional and distributional heterogeneity in contaminated media but unawareness of a method to control it or an understanding of the magnitude of potential error. As a result, published regulatory guidance focused on classical sampling and statistical methods appropriate for testing of“finite element” media. A lone exception is testing of indoor air, where concepts of “Decision Units” and sampling methods more appropriate for testing of “infinite element” media have long been employed to control and represent heterogeneity.

The solutions are, in hindsight, relatively simple. Pushback from affected parties and even scientists and environmental agencies can be significant, however. This is primarily due to a lack of training of environmental professionals in the Theory of Sampling and the common absence of clear evidence of erroneous or misleading sample data in the field. Reluctance to change is also tied in some cases to implications regarding liability for past and ongoing projects. The need for more reliable, efficient and science-based methods to assess and address risk posed by environmental contamination is clear, however. Progress will be made by countries like China that are beginning to tackle legacies of early development and are able to learn from the successes as well as the mistakes of countries that have been addressing environmental contamination for several decades. Training of environmental workers as well as pressure from liability-savvy responsible parties, attorneys and financial institutions will continue to force the industry to evolve, to the benefit of the environment as well as stakeholders on all sides.
Challenges of sampling grain for mycotoxin analysis
Authors: Tittlemier S.
Published: May 2022

During growth and post-harvest storage, fungi can infect grain and produce secondary metabolites known as “mycotoxins ”. Some mycotoxins are regulated due to their potential hazardous health effects. Thusly, analysis of bulk grain consignments for mycotoxins is common in the grain trade. The heterogeneity of bulk grain with respect to deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA), two regulated mycotoxins, was investigated. Variation of concentrations amongst individual wheat kernels was assessed, along with the variation within sub-samples and test portions produced from 10 kg laboratory samples, and amongst 500 t increments sampled during loading of bulk shipments (4,600 to 55,000 t). Concentrations in individual kernels ranged from < 0.02 to 583 mg/kg for OTA and < 0.3 to 414 mg/kg for DON. Analysis of the distribution of concentrations was limited due to the difference between the sample sets available for use; one was naturally infected (DON) and the other was inoculated and incubated under laboratory conditions (OTA). Bulk shipments were sampled during loading using a Canadian Grain Commission-approved automated cross-stream diverter-type sampler and in-line divider. Increments were combined, and 10 kg laboratory samples were prepared from the resulting composite using a Boerner divider, comminuted using a rotor beater mill, and sub-sampled using rotary sample division to produce representative sub-samples and test portions. Concentrations of OTA in the 500 t increment samples varied from < 0.25 to 22.9 µg/kg; DON varied from < 0.05 to 0.67 mg/kg. Within shipments, the OTA concentrations varied more amongst increments than did DON. The coefficients of variation for OTA ranged from 42 to 95% which were 2-4× greater than for DON. The results illustrate heterogeneity of bulk wheat relevant to international trade and regulated mycotoxins. Differences observed for DON and OTA also reflect how biological differences in mycotoxin production contributes to the challenges faced in analysing bulk whole grain for mycotoxins.
Sampling of high-nugget conglomerates from the Western Australian Pilbara: bulk sampling at the Beatons Creek gold project, Nullagine
Authors: Dominy Simon , van Roij Alwin , Graham Janice
Published: May 2022

Many styles of gold mineralisation pose challenges during sampling because of the presence of coarse gold and high natural heterogeneity (“nugget effect”). The gold-bearing conglomerates of the Western Australian Pilbara provide some challenges. Novo Resources Corporation has addressed many of these over the last five years. Its Beatons Creek open pit operation is the first Pilbara conglomerate to go into production (January 2021) based on a total oxide Mineral Resource of 316,000 oz Au (5.2 Mt at 1.9 g/t Au at a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off). Mineralisation occurs within the Beatons Creek conglomerate member of the Hardey Sandstone formation, which constitutes part of the Fortescue Group. Gold is present within the matrix of multiple, narrow stacked and un-classified ferruginous-conglomeritic reef horizons, which are interbedded with un-mineralised conglomerate, sandstones and grits with minor intercalations of shale, mudstone, siltstone and tuffs. The gold occurs as free particles up to 5 mm across within the ferruginous matrix of the conglomerates. It is closely associated with detrital pyrite and authigenic nodules. Previous owners and Novo have employed several sampling techniques across the project including diamond and RC drilling, trench channel sampling and bulk sampling. Assay methods included fire assay, LeachWELL and more recently PhotonAssay. As part of its 2018 evaluation programme, fifty-eight c. 1-4 t bulk samples were collected from accessible oxide mineralisation and processed via a pilot plant. This paper presents some of the issues and solutions applied by Novo, which have wider implications and impact on the sampling of other heterogeneous orebodies.
The evolution of the mechanically agitated hopper in Anglo American Platinum
Authors: Sukha Neressa , Kruger Coert , Kobe Ndala
Published: May 2022

For Anglo American Platinum (AAP) to reach their burning ambition goal of doubling the Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) by 2023, sites are required to adopt an alternative approach to improve representativeness of metal accounting samples given the increase in grind and throughput demand. The success of optimization projects will rely heavily on metal accounting data being accurate so that improvements declared are based on sound samples and assay measurements. The 60 litre mechanically agitated hopper (MAH) was initially developed and ratified in order to overcome particle segregation evident in the 20-litre conventional, compressed air-agitated hoppers of vezin type sampling systems. A sustained plant accountability performance within the range of 95-105% was realized due to the correction of the previously overstated feed grade by means of a more representative sample. Pierre Gy’s rule of thumb of 30 increments per sampling campaign has not been proven and documented for the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) industry. The MAH however with additional volume capacity allows for flexibility to increase the primary sampling increments per shift from ± 32 to ± 96 to cater for process variability (thereby reducing distributional heterogeneity) without increasing the overall resulting final sample mass. Additional technology and larger 110/220 litre capacity hoppers have been deployed. Enhancements include a wash water and drainage system, an improved trash screen design and high/low hopper level sensors. The MAH principle of operation has also been expanded to cater for a double (3-drive) stage sampling system as well as a triple (5-drive) stage sampling system. It is believed that the latest MAH design will satisfy the Theory of Sampling principles and therefore a motivation for an industrial roll out of the innovation within AAP is underway.
A comparison between conventional blast hole sampling and diamond core drilling for copper grade at the Antapaccay mine
Authors: Toconas F. , Jordan L. , Kedda S.
Published: May 2022

Even though the sampling technique result in potentially biased samples with poor precision of the metal grade and are classified as specimens and not samples, the manual sampling of rotary percussion blast hole chips is still widely performed in the industry for operational grade control purposes.

The objectives of this investigation are to estimate the precision and“bias” of manual sampling by comparing the copper grade results of fifteen (15) diamond drill core samples versus fifteen (15) rotary percussion blast hole drilling chip samples. This also includes the determination of a practical manual sampling template with the highest precision to providean understanding of the distribution of the copper content within the cone of blast hole chips. The contouring plots of thecopper grades provides the selection of the best fit-for-purpose template with regards precision and operational resourcing requirements. The diamond drill core samples take into account the Increment Delimitation Error (IDE) andIncrement Extraction Error (IEE) and therefore can be considered as reference samples for the purpose of this review.
The state of organized sampling work for minerals in China since WCSB9
Authors: Li Huachang , Tang Shufang , Kuai Lijun
Published: May 2022

The state of organised sampling work for ore products in China since WCSB9 is introduced in this paper, including national standards, industry standards and group standards in China. In particular, the group standards organized by CSTM Material Sampling and Blending Technical Committee are introduced, meanwhile, the development of automatic sampling and sample preparation system, slurry on-line samplers and multiplexer dividers, on-line sampling and LIBS analysis technology integration system in China in recent years are introduced.
Framing TOS in risk assessment: an outreach perspective for the future
Authors: Paoletti C. , Esbensen K.
Published: May 2022

Sampling is necessary every time inferences are to be made to take informed, optimal decisions in science, technology, industry, trade and commerce. For reasons extensively addressed over the last two decades, some fields, normally those where good sampling practices are a source of economic gain such as the mining/minerals/metals industrial sectors, explicate the role of sampling more than others. This is not the case within the realm of food and feed safety assessment where sampling continues - still today - to be perceived more as an economic burden and a technical necessity to be fulfilled because of regulatory demands, rather than a need to ensure reliable evidence to support management and regulatory decisions. This is true today and will become even more central in the future to address the challenges posed by the accelerating climate crisis, resources depletion and increasing food demand. Risk assessment and sampling are both probabilistic disciplines, the first devoted to estimate and minimise safety risks, the latter devoted to estimate and mitigate sampling risks (the effects of sampling errors). Here we offer an exposé with the aim of positioning TOS as an essential disciplines and practical tool needed to ensure the best possible estimation of risks in support of safety decision-making and risk management in all of food and feed sciences, technology, industry, trade, commerce, and society at large. We demonstrate that sampling plays an integral, but an often much overlooked role in all these fields.
The process of production certified reference materials for silicon industry
Authors: Anyszkiewicz J. , Gengatharan V. , Storesund A. , Gorewoda T. , Kostrzewa J. , Jamroz E. , Eide Gro , Blandhol K. , Guldhav A.Y , Toverø A. , Teisrud H.
Published: May 2022

Silicon is the element of significant importance — including the production of electronic devices, solar panels and metallurgical alloys. Silicon materials producers must keep strict quality control of their raw materials and products. Modern and innovative silicon production line requires high quality analytical information about chemical composition — for this purpose instrumental methods are commonly used. Correctness of the results obtained with these methods must be verified using materials of well-know composition, traceable to SI units, confirmed by the certificate. These materials are called certified reference materials (CRM).

In response to the market needs, ELKEM (Norway)— the world’s leading silicon producer, together with ŁUKASIEWICZ — Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Poland) - an experienced CRMs producer, started the SILREF project, which consist of production of 8 CRMs for silicon material: metal silicon, ferrosilicon and microsilica.

Development of new CRMs consist of several stages: production of material with planned composition, homogenization via grinding, sieving, and mixing, homogeneity and stability testing, characterisation, and certification. Sampling is part of almost every one of these steps. The choice of the right sampling scheme has a significant impact on the final quality of the produced CRMs. Homogeneity of powder type CRMs and its estimated uncertainty makes important contribution to the total uncertainty of the reference values.

After homogenization and dividing the material into the 100 mL jars, 200 to 700 single units were obtained - depending on the material. In this case it is important to determine the homogeneity between the units and inside them. This was performed in accordance to the rules of ISO Guide 35:2017“Reference materials — Guidance for characterization and assessment of homogeneity and stability”. 10 random single units from every material was selected. Then, three samples from different place were taken from each unit. All parameters planned for certification (element concentrations, loss of ignition etc.) require analysis for homogeneity, stability and quantitative determination. The obtained data were used for the statistical evaluation of homogeneity based on the ANOVA test. The determined homogeneity was taken then for further calculations of total uncertainty.

The determination of homogeneity, stability and characteristics is accompanied by a large number of analytical test and statistical calculations that lead to determination of the final reference’s composition values with their expanded uncertainty.
Smart control of HVAC based on measurements of indoor radon concentration
Authors: Fromreide M. , Henne I.
Published: May 2022

Sufficient ventilation is important for creating a healthy indoor environment in both households and larger buildings (schools, offices, shops, warehouses). As the cost of heating and ventilation in large buildings is very large, modern ventilation systems apply smart control for optimizing the energy consumption. The control is typically based on temperature and/or CO2 levels, whereas other pollutants such as particulate microparticles and radon are not accounted for. Exposure to indoor radon is the second most important reason for lung cancer, with more than 200 000 casesestimated worldwide every year. The indoor radon concentration depends on many factors, from local geological conditions and weather, to building materials and natural and mechanical ventilation.

Together with the Norwegian company OBEO AS, NORCE has completed a study of the indoor radon concentration at a Norwegian primary school prone to high radon levels. The study includes continuous measurements of radon, CO2 and temperature for multiple rooms for different use as well as data for the ventilation system. The aim for the project was to build knowledge for a larger research project, where the goal is to develop a control algorithm for HVAC systems which also takes radon levels into account.

An important challenge is to make accurate sensors for measuring radon continuously at an affordable price for implementation in complex buildings. Generally, sensors that can measure at high frequency with good accuracy is very expensive. Thus, developing algorithms and mathematical models to treat the data from low-cost sensors can be an adequate tool for large systems/buildings. One must also account for the positioning of the sensor. For instance, it is known that the radon concentration is better distributed in a room with mechanical ventilation than in a room without, making the position of the sensor important for better interpretation of measurement data. In the pre-project we have studied how the radon levels show large variations that are related to the ventilation operation and daily/weekly variations. The large variations show the need for a high sampling rate (minutes to hours) to capture the peaks in the concentration. We have also studied the rate of change in radon concentrations over time and have amongst discovered a noticeable
delay from the start of ventilation until radon is effectively removed from the air. The rate of change is an important parameter for planning ahead and securing fresh air during the full period of presence whilst optimizing the energy cost.
X-ray computed tomography (XCT) for characterization of particulate materials heterogeneity: embrace heterogeneity — create value with separation
Authors: Robben C. , Moslemiyekan A. , Esbensen K.
Published: May 2022

Value created by mineral beneficiation processes relies on physical separation (including flotation) of particles containing different grades of metals or minerals of economic interest. The value created is a direct consequence of exploiting heterogeneity as governed by the properties of the natural resource that is processed, most often starting by well-controlled size reduction processes, e.g. blasting, crushing and grinding. These are usually applied in a stepwise fashion before the separation stage exploiting the liberated mineral(s) of economic interest.

While material heterogeneity usually is a property that must be managed (reduced) by mixing and blending to stabilize sampling and optimize extraction processes, it can also be the fundament for creating value by first increasing liberated heterogeneity to allow effective sorting to come into play. To calibrate value-adding physical separation processes it is necessary to be in complete control of material heterogeneity, as part of characterization of the original natural resource. Optimal physical separation is based on relevant sampling, Theory of Sampling (TOS). However, this is currently done with labour intensive processes conducted with highest precision but notably most often only using small sample masses, often leaving accuracy be the wayside. This contribution shows that TOS is a prime factor, as is representative heterogeneity characterization, necessary for optimizing mineral beneficiation processes.
Sample preparation according to Ian Devereux: an unofficial guide
Authors: Russell S.
Published: May 2022

This is a summary of the concepts, ideas, and experiences of Ian Devereux, recorded as a reference in the late noughties shortly prior to his retirement. His 14 typed pages summarised his insights after 40 years of leading and growing Rocklabs into the world leader in Sample Preparation Equipment design, manufacture, and supply. This mixture of facts, observations and opinions are offered without reference to complex technical analysis. The author intends this paper as a tribute to one of the pioneers of our industry and hopes that it may be used as an accessible introduction to the concepts and importance of the field of Sample Preparation. In memory of Ian Devereux MSc, PhD, FNZIC, AMAusIMM (11 Feb 1940 – 25 April 2020).

Sample preparation is a very broad subject. If you try putting these two words into Google you get 579,000,000 entries! In our domain, we typically restrict the topic to include the minerals and metals industry which includes mineral exploration mining, smelting, refining and research.

Sample Preparation is the middle step in the process that covers taking the sample, preparing the sample and analysing the sample. It is vital for a good understanding of Sample Preparation that you also understand the procedures and processes of the other two activities. If everything is not done well, the result achieved will be of doubtful value.

It is very common for a laboratory to receive a sample for analysis without any knowledge or understanding of how the sample was taken and whether it is truly representative of the lot of material that it comes from.“We do the preparation and analysis. This is our responsibility. It is someone else’s job to ensure the sample is a good one,” are typical attitudes. In part they are correct, but a laboratory must be careful if they have been asked for a precise analysis on a sample that may not be representative and then an argument follows as to why the result is in error. Laboratories are often accused of mistakes when then real culprit is a poor sample. As designers and manufacturers, we need to do all we can to ensure the sample processing equipment is as representative as possible.
COVID-19: lessons for developing and commissioning new mining technologies
Authors: Russell S.
Published: May 2022

For many of us in the regionally distributed and interconnected mining industries, the pandemic impacts were earlier and broader than most.

PDAC, the mining mega-convention that descends on Toronto each spring, started 2020 as per any other year, but by the end of the week the world had changed. Sanitiser bottles appeared on tables, elbow bumps replaced handshakes, and the airports on the trip home were a mix of caution and carnage; a sign of the new reality to which we had now entered.

COVID-19 had rapidly spread from being an isolated“Wuhan” virus, and many projects still had field personnel undertaking commissioning and service activities. In the space of a week in March 2020, the focus shifted from urgently completing tasks to evacuating staff back to safety as expeditiously as practicable. Clients were generally supportive of such movements, with similar strategies playing out within their operations.

Movements were quickly constrained by pandemic restrictions, and the plane tickets, hotel beds and shipping containers were invariably prioritised for essential operations. Despite high opinions of our indispensability, we ceded priority in most jurisdictions to the public health response.

It was only once personnel were back safely in their home cities or in hotel quarantine, stakeholder meetings had been urgently convened across myriad not-yet-ubiquitous online platforms, and formal written correspondence had been exchanged flagging the start of the disruption, that the reality set in; how to continue and complete mining project installations on the opposite side of the continent or world, with operations and suppliers suspended or furloughed, and no certainty as to when personnel and equipment mobility may resume?

With very few precedents to draw upon in any of our working careers, the well-intended responses to these disruptions were varied in success, but in any case, will prove formative to how we act in future crises. Whilst we cannot predict with certainty when, where and how the next disaster will occur, it is incumbent on all to take the hard learned lessons of COVID-19 and have disaster response and recovery plans that are updated and reflect our real, lived experiences.
THE PRACTICE OF INTRODUCING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY IN THE DISCIPLINE OF PHYSICAL CULTURE
Authors: Mitrokhin Evgeny A. , Kolga Vadim V.
Published: May 2022

The introduction of inclusive space at all stages of education has provoked optimization and revision of the content of the educational process. Particular attention is paid to the importance of practical lessons in physical education, which form not only physical qualities and abilities for students with disabilities, but also develop communication abilities and ensure successful integration into the educational and professional spheres of life. The article is devoted to the topical issues of introducing inclusive education in higher education institutions, in particular the issues of conducting practical lessons in physical education in the format of joint classes.

Purpose. The aim is to determine the conditions of successful inclusive education of university students in the discipline of "Physical Education" on the basis of full participation of all subjects of the educational process in the joint classes. This means that they are given the opportunity to be active participants in the learning process, attend all classes together, both theoretical and practical, not limited to the study of disciplines using distance learning technologies.

Method or methodology of the work. The research is based on the methods of questioning, observation and pedagogical experiment. Accordingly, in methodological terms, the pedagogical experiment is built on the idea of inclusion of equal and simultaneous learning in all disciplines. The most difficult task of realization of this concept concerns the disciplines of physical education. The author's questionnaires made it possible to determine the level of readiness of both the students and the teaching staff to participate in joint classes, to identify the risks and difficulties of these classes.

Results. The article reflects the results of the implementation of inclusive learning in practical classes in the discipline of "Physical Education", lists the problems of implementation and the prospects of joint classes. The authors substantiated the assumption that in modern conditions it is possible to implement joint classes under certain pedagogical conditions, such as material and technical support, educational and methodological support, staff expansion, etc.

Practical implications. The results of the study can be applied in inclusive education, in the field of physical education and sports.
PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT OF THE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL FORMATION OF THE FUTURE TEACHER IN THE COURSE OF MASTERING THE SUBJECT «PEDAGOGICS»
Authors: Vakhrushev Sergey A. , Strogova Natalia E. , Tyutyukova Oksana N.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. The article considers a significant problem of the formation of spir­itual values of students of pedagogical universities as a peculiar marker of their spir­itual and moral education.

The purpose of the article is to study the methods of pedagogical support of the spiritual and moral formation of the future teacher.

Methods. M. Rokich’s test «Value Orientations», the author’s survey methodology-essay «Your Opinion» revealing students’ attitudes to the effectiveness of the forms used in the organization of their educational and cognitive activities.

Results. The forms and techniques of the curricular activities (creation and presentation of the «personal pedagogical coat of arms», project-presentation «My favourite teacher», «listen – draw») and extra-curricular activities (diary of the student’s independent work, business and role-playing games, «Pedagogical Club», «Pedagogical Workshop») have been identified as part of the development of the discipline «Pedagogics». Their identification is based on the theoretical analysis and empirical research. The positive effect of the given forms and techniques on the spiritual and moral formation of future teachers is also proved.

Conclusion. The proposed and tested methods of pedagogical support of the spiritual and moral formation of the future teacher are an effective resource for the develop­ment of their value-semantic sphere.

Practical implications. The results of the study can be used in the professional edu­cation of bachelors - future teachers in the teaching of pedagogical discipline.
Technical Note—A Near-Optimal Algorithm for Real-Time Order Acceptance: An Application in Postacute Healthcare Services
Authors: Qu Zihao , Dawande Milind , Janakiraman Ganesh
Published: May 2022

A Near-Optimal Patient Admission Policy in Postacute Care

Motivated by applications in the postacute healthcare industry, in “Technical Note—A Near-Optimal Algorithm for Real-Time Order Acceptance: An Application in Postacute Healthcare Services,” Qu, Dawande, and Janakiraman study an infinite-horizon, stochastic optimization problem with a set of long-term capacity investment decisions and a sequence of real-time order acceptance/rejection decisions. To maximize the long-run average expected profit per period, the firm accepts/rejects stochastically arriving referrals in real time. Referrals differ in the revenue they offer to the firm, the resource requirements and the frequency of usage of the resources, and the stochastic duration of the episode. The authors develop a simple policy, derive a worst case guarantee on its optimality gap, and show that the policy is asymptotically optimal. They also illustrate an impressive numerical performance of the policy using public healthcare data.
The infant microbiome
Authors: Nash Kate , Sloam Debra
Published: May 2022

Kate Nash and Debra Sloam consider preventive and restorative strategies required to support the infant microbiome, and the midwife's role in relation to this
Third stage of labour management approaches and postpartum haemorrhage in midwife-led units
Authors: Baker Karen , Stephenson John
Published: May 2022

Background

National and international guidelines advise active management of the third stage of labour. Studies conducted in obstetric-led units reveal evidence for reductions in primary postpartum haemorrhage with active management compared to expectant management. The association in midwife-led units for low-risk women is relatively untested in the UK.

Aims

To examine the relationship between third stage of labour management approaches, and incidence of postpartum haemorrhage and severe postpartum haemorrhage in women birthing in midwife-led units.

Methods

Anonymised data were collected in 2015–2016 from women birthing in England. Adjusted logistic regression was used to assess the effect of management approach on the outcomes of postpartum haemorrhage and severe postpartum haemorrhage, controlling for variables additionally identified as risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage.

Results

Of the 765 women intending to receive active management and the 508 intending to receive expectant management, 9.54% and 14.0% experienced postpartum haemorrhage respectively (P=0.015). Severe postpartum haemorrhage was experienced by 14 (1.83%) women intending to receive active management and 16 (3.66%) intending to receive expectant management (P=0.134).

Conclusions

Postpartum haemorrhage, but not severe postpartum haemorrhage, was statistically significantly higher in women birthing in midwife-led units intending to receive expectant management.
TLC-Ag dressings: a prospective, multicentre study on 728 patients with wounds at risk of or with local infection
Authors: Lützkendorf Steffen , Grünerbel Arthur , Dietlein Michael , Lüdemann Claas , Becker Elisa , Möller Udo , Thomassin Laetitia , Bohbot Serge , Dissemond Joachim
Published: May 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the management of an unselected cohort of patients with wounds at risk of or with clinical signs of local infection, treated with two antimicrobial contact layers impregnated with silver (TLC-Ag healing matrix), under real-life conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method:

A large, prospective, multicentre, observational study with two TLC-Ag dressings (UrgoTul Ag/Silver and UrgoTul Ag Lite Border, Laboratoires Urgo, France) was conducted in Germany between May 2020 and May 2021. The main outcomes included a description of the treated patients and their wound management, the changes in wound infection and wound healing outcomes over a maximum period of four weeks of treatment, as well as the overall clinical assessment of the performance, local tolerance and acceptability of dressings.

Results:

A total of 728 patients with wounds of various aetiologies and wound infection status were treated with the evaluated dressings in 39 centres for a mean duration of 26±19 days, with an intermediate visit conducted in 712 (97.8%) patients after a mean period of 12±9 days. At the initial visit, it was established that the majority of patients (60.4%) had a wound infection, while the remaining cohort presented first clinical signs of a local wound infection (25.1%) or were at risk of wound infection (13.2%) (unclear status in 1.2%). Throughout the study period, all the parameters of wound infection continuously decreased, resulting at the final visit in a reduction by 78.9% of the prevalence of local wound infections and by 72.0% of the clinical signs of wound infection, the most rapidly diminished clinical sign being wound deterioration. Concurrently, in terms of the healing process, 92.1% of the wounds healed or improved, 3.2% remained unchanged and 1.7% worsened (data missing for 3.0%), and an improvement of the periwound skin was reported in 65.7% of the patients. Overall, the two dressings were ‘very well accepted’ by the majority of patients, with no uncomfortable feeling at wearing and no pain at dressing removal, and were assessed by the physicians as ‘very useful’ in the majority of the cases with a ‘very good’ efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity and promotion of the wound healing process. Similar results were reported regardless of the wound type treated or of the TLC-Ag dressing evaluated.

Conclusion:

These results are consistent with previous clinical evidence on TLC-Ag dressings. They support the good efficacy, good tolerability and usefulness of these antimicrobial dressings in the management of patients with wounds at risk or with clinical signs of local infection, in association with appropriate standard of care.