monitoring data quality

QA/QC should be more than simply implementing an "industry standard" program. The systematic collection of data from matrix-appropriate quality control standards (certified reference materials, preparation blanks, field, preparation and pulp duplicates) provides information on laboratory bias, carry-over (cross contamination) and sampling variance at different stages of sample collection, preparation and analysis. These data can be benchmarked against published industry and internal data for deposits of a similar type and the overall performance of the sampling and analytical program assessed. Areas for improvement can be identified and sample collection, preparation and analytical methods modified to improve overall data quality.