Sampling of Gold Mineralization - What does an Assay Mean?

Henrik Thalenhorst, Consultant

Talk Abstract:

The real value of a gold assay is shrouded in the fog of precision and accuracy issues that are an unavoidable part of sampling and sub-sampling processes. Without the ability to quantify or at least know the existence of such issues, ore/waste choices during grade control and decisions for investment purposes will partly be “blind”.

The talk will highlight and explain these issues and present solutions to deal with them. Prevention is better than remediation, but the reluctance to incur additional early proactive costs needs to be overcome.

Speaker Bio:

After graduation from Munich University in 1968, I have continuously worked as an economic geologist until last year and am now semi-retired. My professional experience includes execution and guidance of exploration projects, as chief mine geologist, and preparing and evaluating resource and reserve estimates, mostly as member of a team. Projects stages ranged from exploration to development to operating mines. Assignments were for the owners or in connection with mergers or planned acquisitions. Commodities covered were predominantly base and precious metals in a variety of geological settings on an international scale.

The presentation attempts to crystallize the experience gained while working as a member of Strathcona Mineral Services Limited from 1986 to 2022 on many hold projects. Gold-specific assignments included the evaluation of sampling protocols, resource/reserve assessments and bulk sampling programs.

Henrik Thalenhorst | LinkedIn

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