4.4.1 Physical property tests on the
consignment are meaningless unless they are conducted prior to loading
on truly representative test samples.
4.4.2 Sampling shall be conducted only
by persons who have been suitably trained in sampling procedures and
who are under the supervision of someone who is fully aware of the
properties of the consignment and also the applicable principles and
practices of sampling.
4.4.3 For a concentrate or other cargo which may
liquefy, the shipper shall facilitate access to stockpiles for the
purpose of inspection, sampling and subsequent testing by the ship's
nominated representative.
4.4.4 Prior to taking samples, and within
the limits of practicability, a visual inspection of the consignment
which is to form the ship's cargo shall be carried out. Any substantial
portions of material which appear to be contaminated or significantly
different in characteristics or moisture content from the bulk of
the consignment shall be sampled and analysed separately. Depending
upon the results obtained in these tests, it may be necessary to reject
those particular portions as unfit for shipment.
4.4.5 Representative samples shall be
obtained by employing techniques which take the following factors
into account:
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.1 the type of material;
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.2 the particle size distribution;
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.3 composition of the material and its variability;
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.4 the manner in which the material is stored,
in stockpiles, rail wagons or other containers, and transferred or
loaded by material-handling systems such as conveyors, loading chutes,
crane grabs, etc.;
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.5 the chemical hazards (toxicity, corrosivity,
etc.);
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.6 the characteristics which have to be determined:
moisture content, TML, bulk density/stowage factor, angle of repose,
etc.;
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.7 variations in moisture distribution throughout
the consignment which may occur due to weather conditions, natural
drainage, e.g., to lower levels of stockpiles or containers, or other
forms of moisture migration; and
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.8 variations which may occur following freezing
of the material.
4.4.6 Throughout the sampling procedures, utmost
care shall be taken to prevent changes in quality and characteristics.
Samples for moisture testing shall be immediately placed in suitable
airtight, non-absorbent containers with a minimum of free air space
to minimize any change in moisture content, such containers being
properly marked.
4.4.7 Unless expressly provided otherwise,
sampling for the test required by this Code shall follow an internationally
or nationally accepted standard procedure.
4.4.8 For unprocessed mineral ores the sampling
of stationary stockpiles shall be carried out only when access to
the full depth of the stockpile is available and samples from the
full depth of the stockpile can be extracted.