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 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 analysts capable of performing skillfully and safely. It is expected that the work will be performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appropriate quality control practices such as those described in Guide E882.