Approved
Independent, accredited analysis of non-ferrous and precious metals.
Bachelet Group is an independent, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited analytical laboratory for the metals trade. From copper concentrates and cathodes to gold doré, PGM catalysts and complex residues, we determine metal content with the precision, traceability and neutrality that settlement depends on — as we have since 1925.
The assay behind your side of the contract.
As buyer or seller you need your own defensible figure on the material you are paying or being paid for. We assay your split of the lot under ISO/IEC 17025, so you enter the exchange of assays with a result that stands up to the counterparty’s laboratory and to any subsequent umpire.
- Independent assay of your sample split for the exchange of assays.
- Payable metals, moisture and penalty elements on one certificate.
- Results issued to contractual deadlines for provisional and final invoicing.
One appointed laboratory, one figure both sides accept.
Where the contract names a single laboratory instead of an exchange of assays, our result is the settlement figure. Both parties appoint Bachelet in advance, we receive and secure the sample, and the certificate we issue is final and binding — removing the exchange, the splitting-limit calculation and the risk of a dispute.
- Sole-laboratory appointment written into the sales contract.
- Sealed sample receipt with documented chain of custody.
- Certificate accepted by both parties as the basis of payment.
The neutral result that settles a dispute.
When buyer and seller — or their two laboratories — disagree beyond the splitting limit, an independent umpire determines the binding figure. Bachelet’s methodological discipline and complete independence have made us a recognised umpire for the non-ferrous and precious-metals trade, frequently appointed to resolve settlement differences on polymetallic material.
- Binding third-party determination between two disagreeing assays.
- Full documentation and defensible chain of custody.
- Complete independence — never a commercial interest in the metal.
Check assays that keep a laboratory honest.
Producers, smelters and laboratories use us as their external control. We run check and referee assays against your in-house results, supply and assess round-robin material, and report against certified reference materials so you can demonstrate the performance of your own laboratory to auditors and counterparties.
- Check & duplicate assays against your in-house laboratory.
- Round-robin and inter-laboratory comparison programmes.
- Certified reference materials, duplicates and control charting.
The methods behind every certificate.
Whichever service you appoint us for, quantification is finished on the technique best suited to the element and its level — always under a QA/QC regime with certified reference materials, duplicates and control charts.
- ICP-OES — multi-element determination across base and minor metals.
- AAS — atomic absorption for targeted element confirmation.
- Titration & gravimetry — reference wet-chemical methods for high-grade payables.
- Electrogravimetry — the classical route for copper settlement assay.
- XRF — rapid non-destructive screening and confirmation of major and minor elements.
- Classical fire assay — gold, silver and PGM collection by PbO with a gravimetric or ICP-OES finish.
Every non-ferrous and precious metal we quantify.
Select an element to see how we measure it and the matrices we handle.
A controlled chain, from receipt to certificate.
Reception
Logged under a unique ID with sealed chain of custody.
Preparation
Drying, crushing, milling and splitting to a homogeneous sub-sample.
Analysis
Accredited assay with certified reference materials and duplicates.
Certificate
Reviewed, signed results — defensible under any scrutiny.
Need an assay you can defend?
Send us your material and analytical requirement. We'll confirm the accredited method, turnaround and pricing — and give you a result both sides of the deal can stand behind.
Request a quote