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Mining QAQC: Essential for geological data integrity. Avoid Bre-X errors! Timestamp 0:00 Intro 0:55 The Bre-X Nightmare: A Cautionary Tale of Data Gone Wrong 3.12 Enter QA/QC: Your Mining Shield 4:34 Why QA/QC Isn't Optional (It's a Lifeline!) 6:55 Building the Fortress: Key Elements of a QA/QC Program 9:57 Laboratory Accreditation and Communication: The Trusted Allies 11:34 Qualified Person (QP) Oversight: The Watchful Guardian 14:17 The Ongoing Battle: Challenges & Continuous Improvement 15:27 Conclusions Navigating the mining industry requires geological data quality of the highest standard to avoid exploration sampling errors and prevent costly disasters like the infamous Bre-X scandal. This video dives deep into Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), crucial practices that ensure data integrity in mining and support robust mineral resource estimation and NI 43-101 compliance. A comprehensive QA/QC program, though often costing less than 2% of the total project budget, is fundamental for attracting project investment and financing, and achieving a better asset valuation. The purpose of QA/QC is to provide confidence that a product or service will meet specified needs, focusing on preventing errors (QA) and detecting/correcting them (QC). Michael Thompson, a co-designer of the Thompson-Howarth precision plot, noted that all analytical measurements inherently contain "errors" due to the limitations of sampling and analytical methods, distinguishing these from "mistakes". Regulatory environments, particularly after high-profile scams, now demand higher standards for reporting sample data, requiring a Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) to review sampling procedures for accuracy and potential issues. Implementing a rigorous QA/QC program early saves money and time by reducing the need to re-verify data at later, more advanced stages of a project. Key elements of an effective mining QAQC program include: 1. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Documented protocols for all sampling, preparation, and analysis activities are essential for consistency and accuracy. 2. Control Samples: The systematic insertion of specific samples helps monitor data quality. These include Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) or standards to measure accuracy and bias, blanks to detect contamination, and duplicates (field, preparation, and analytical) to assess precision and reproducibility. 3. Laboratory Accreditation and Communication: Using certified laboratories (e.g., ISO 17025 accredited) and maintaining open communication with them is critical. Laboratories should be transparent about their analytical and QC methods, and practices like using barren washes after high-grade samples are recommended to prevent cross-contamination. 4. Data Management and Verification: Comprehensive geoscience data management is vital, including proper data validation, secure storage, and documentation of collection methods and metadata. Core photography and accurate drill collar/downhole surveys are also crucial for data validation and audit purposes. 5. Statistical Analysis and Error Management: Statistical tools like scatterplots, Shewhart control charts, Thompson-Howarth plots, and the average coefficient of variation (CVAVE) are used to interpret QAQC data and identify issues such as bias, drift, and imprecision. Human error should always be considered first when failures occur. 6. Qualified Person (QP) Oversight: A QP or CP must visit the property, verify data accuracy, and provide an opinion on the data quality, as their confidence can significantly impact a report's acceptance. Ultimately, a well-conceived QA/QC program is a dynamic system that evolves with the project stages and complexities, minimizing uncertainties and risks for decision-makers and investors. #RicardoVallsGeology #MiningQAQC #GeologicalData #MineralExploration P. Geo. Ricardo A Valls, M. Sc. and Geo Gadfly Valls Geoconsultant ORCID ID- https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5421-0914 Scopus Author ID: 7003369619/35335510700 ResearcherID: S-6604-2018 If you like this content, please "buy me a coffee" https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goldendroplets