Fire assay reviews

**conrad4784** · 08-25-2013, 11:13 PM

Hello guys I have researching a lot on recycling and I have finally started shifting my IT business over to buying ewaste. I want to be able to compete with some of the local buyers in my area but I don't want to over pay. Make a long story short I need to get some fire assays done on certain types of boards to know ballpark what prices I can purchase e waste at to make a descent profit and use that information to create a better business plan to obtain another small business loan. I already know a refiner not asking for any trade secrets here. Just need a good third party fire assay company. If anyone has done any business with one or knows of a good fire assay company your help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

**Mechanic688** · 08-25-2013, 11:30 PM

here might be a good place to look around for reviews or to ask that question.

GOLD REFINING FORUM - GOLD REFINERS HELPING ONE ANOTHER

**conrad4784** · 08-25-2013, 11:56 PM

Thank you Ill check it out

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

here might be a good place to look around for reviews or to ask that question.

GOLD REFINING FORUM - GOLD REFINERS HELPING ONE ANOTHER

**aurum** · 08-30-2013, 10:51 PM

To get a fire assay done is no problem. Fire assay is used for all kinds of ore samples, mineral concentrates, and other precious metal bearing materials. Usually those kind of materials are fairly homogeneous, and taking a representative sample is not a problem. The problem with assaying any ewaste is that the material is not homogeneous (some individual components contain a lot of gold while others contain nothing). This would apply to any assay method, not only fire assay. Most fire assays are done on a relatively small sample (10-100 g). It will be very difficult to get a representative sample. Whoever you pick, make sure you ask a lot of questions on their sample preparation and sampling methods. This would be also true when you are sending a 20,000+ lb load to a refiner. Most problems arise out of the sampling, not so much from the assay itself. I used to do fire assaying before at one of my previous employers.

**etack** · 08-30-2013, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by aurum

To get a fire assay done is no problem. Fire assay is used for all kinds of ore samples, mineral concentrates, and other precious metal bearing materials. Usually those kind of materials are fairly homogeneous, and taking a representative sample is not a problem. The problem with assaying any ewaste is that the material is not homogeneous (some individual components contain a lot of gold while others contain nothing). This would apply to any assay method, not only fire assay. Most fire assays are done on a relatively small sample (10-100 g). It will be very difficult to get a representative sample. Whoever you pick, make sure you ask a lot of questions on their sample preparation and sampling methods. This would be also true when you are sending a 20,000+ lb load to a refiner. Most problems arise out of the sampling, not so much from the assay itself. I used to do fire assaying before at one of my previous employers.

I just had one done on a sample and it came back low. the assay was right the sample was wrong. It was kind of a waste of money but it set a good point for my buy price.

Eric

**conrad4784** · 09-12-2013, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by etack

I just had one done on a sample and it came back low. the assay was right the sample was wrong. It was kind of a waste of money but it set a good point for my buy price.

Eric

where did you get your assay done at? Im looking for a good one to use as a buying reference and as a referee when shipping to a refiner. thank you

**etack** · 09-12-2013, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by conrad4784

where did you get your assay done at? Im looking for a good one to use as a buying reference and as a referee when shipping to a refiner. thank you

I do a specialty refining on some Items and the refiner(s) I use don't do assays for people unless you want to pay them for their time in real lab costs. Its around $500.00 for the assay when all said and done.

PM me and I will send my number if you want to talk on the phone about it.

They more than not won't do any representation but might know some people that will.

If you can get your boards into a Cu bar than I can help you out more.

Eric