Overview
ISO 13547-2:2014 defines an acid digestion + ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric) procedure for the determination of arsenic mass fraction in copper, lead, zinc and nickel sulfide concentrates. The method covers wet chemical decomposition, matrix-matched calibration and ICP-AES measurement and is intended for routine laboratory analysis of sulfide concentrates within defined concentration ranges.
Key scope highlights:
- Copper sulfide concentrates: 0.05 % to 2.0 % As
- Lead sulfide concentrates: 0.05 % to 1.0 % As
- Zinc sulfide concentrates: 0.05 % to 0.6 % As
- Nickel sulfide concentrates: 0.05 % to 1.0 % As
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: Acid dissolution of a weighed test portion using nitric and sulfuric (and where required hydrofluoric) acids followed by arsenic quantification by ICP-AES against matrix‑matched standards.
- Instrumentation: ICP‑AES set to arsenic emission wavelengths (information in the standard notes wavelengths such as 193.696 nm or 197.197 nm) and routine laboratory equipment (analytical balance, PTFE beakers, filtration).
- Reagents and standards: High‑purity acids (HNO3, H2SO4, HCl, HF when needed), arsenic primary standards (prepared or traceable purchased standards), and matrix interference standards for Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni.
- Sampling and sample preparation: Laboratory and test‑sample preparation per ISO 12743 and moisture handling per ISO 9599; option for pre‑dried test portions (Annex A).
- Quality control: Blank tests, at least duplicate determinations under repeatability conditions, matrix‑matched calibration curves, flowsheet for acceptance of analytical values (Annex B), and procedures to check trueness and precision.
- Safety: Standard contains a warning on hazardous materials and operations - users must implement appropriate health and safety controls.
Practical applications and users
ISO 13547-2:2014 is used by:
- Metallurgical and mineral assay laboratories performing QA/QC on sulfide concentrates
- Mine laboratories and contract assayers validating concentrate grades for sale or processing
- Smelter feed control and quality assurance teams monitoring arsenic content
- Commodity trading parties and regulatory bodies requiring standardized arsenic determination in concentrates
Benefits:
- Consistent, repeatable arsenic determinations for contract and process control
- Established procedure for handling matrix interferences and calibration
- Traceability through defined reagent and standard preparation
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 13547-2:2014, arsenic determination, ICP-AES, acid digestion, sulfide concentrates, copper sulfide, lead sulfide, zinc sulfide, nickel sulfide, assay method.