Page 1 of 22
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COAL CONCEPTS PROFICIENCY TESTING
GENERAL ANALYSIS SAMPLE
REPORT EIGHTY
Revision 00
Final report
DATE ISSUED: 30 JUNE 2018
PARTICIPANT
SCHEME COORDINATOR: K MUNSAMY
SIGNATURE: _____________________
CHECKED BY: R BABOOLAL (SCHEME MANAGER)
Disclaimer: Opinions and interpretations expressed herein are outside the scope of SANAS accreditation *Moisture in the analysis sample is not included in the SANAS schedule of accreditation as robust statistics cannot be applied.
Chlorine, Fluorine, Quick ash, ASTM ash and ASTM Volatiles is not included in the scope of accreditation.
THINKING QUALITY, QUALITY THINKING
REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2006/149731/23 (RMB INDUSTRIAL STATIONERS cc t/a)
81 CERAMIC CURVE, ALTON, RICHARDS BAY 3900 l TEL: +27(0)35 751 2446 l CEL: +27(0)83 6500151 l FAX: 0862605793
E-MAIL: [email protected]
LABORATORY CODE:
Page 2 of 22
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. One hundred and nine samples were sent to participants with 107 timeous result submissions
2. The total number of outliers found were as follows (dry base):
ISO Volatile Matter x 5
Calorific Value x 5
Sulphur x 1
3. Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Chlorine, Fluorine, ASTM Ash & ASTM Volatile Matter participants were insufficient to warrant robust statistical calculations. The average result was used as the assigned value.
4. Trending for your laboratory is as follows:
Page 3 of 22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM
PAGE NUMBER
Letter to participant
4
List of participants
5
Type of sample used
6
Preparation of sample
6
Homogeneity check
6
Stability check
7
ISO Ash data
8
ISO Ash z-score trend
9
Quick Ash data & trend 10
ISO Volatile matter data
11
ISO Volatile matter z-score trend
12
Calorific value data
13
Calorific value z-score trend
14
Total sulphur data
15
Total sulphur z-score trend
16
Phosphorous data and Z-Score trend
17
Carbon data / Hydrogen data / Nitrogen data
18
AFT data and z-scores
19
ASTM Ash and ASTM Volatile matter, Chlorine & Fluorine 20
Conclusion
21
Terms & Conditions 22
Page 4 of 22
Dear Participant
RE: PROFICIENCY TESTING RESULTS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2018
Thank you for your participation in the Coal Concepts proficiency testing scheme.
Your laboratory code is
All results are totally confidential. Any results in Bold, Italics and Underlined are outliers. Where applicable, the most
extreme outliers have been eliminated from calculations using the Grubbs estimate for outliers. Robust statistics has been
applied where possible. Analysis results have been reported on air dry and dry base. The dry base results have been used
to calculate the z-scores.
Please take note of the following:
1. Z-scores between -1 and +1 is deemed acceptable
2. Z-scores between -2 and -3 should serve as a warning that the analysis result could get worse
3. Z-scores between +2 and +3 should also serve as a warning that analysis results could get worse.
4. Z- scores lower than -3 and exceeding +3 should warrant an investigation
5. Compare your result to the robust average which will be the assigned value. The measurement of uncertainty (UoM) of
the results is also stated.
6. All calculations can be made available upon request
The Coal Concepts scheme adheres to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 – Conformity assessment – General
requirements for proficiency testing.
Statistical analysis has been carried out using ISO/IEC 13528:2015-Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by
interlaboratory comparisons
Please find results attached together with Z-score trends.
Best Regards
R Baboolal
Page 5 of 22
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Arcelor Mittal - Vanderbijl Park Arcelor Mittal - Newcastle
Anglo SOC - Goedehoop Colliery South Plant Anglo SOC - Goedehoop Colliery North Plant
Anglo SOC - New Vaal Colliery Anglo SOC - Greenside Colliery
Anglo SOC - Landau Colliery Anglo SOC - Kleinkopje Colliery
Anglo SOC - Kriel Colliery ALS - Witlab
Afrisam - Dudfield Afrisam - Ulco
ALS - Eastside ALS -Muhanga
Alfred H Knight -Richards Bay Laboratory ALS - Phalandwa
AquaSpecto Bureau Veritas - Nacala
Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Tendele Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Beira
Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Alton Bureau Veritas Testing & Inspection SA - Pretoria
Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Middelburg Castle Peak Power Station – Hong Kong
Bureau Veritas – Moatize, Vale CoalLab Pty Ltd - Uitgevallen
CoalLab Pty Ltd - Lurco CoalLab Pty Ltd - Phola
CoalLab Pty Ltd – Tselentis CoalLab Pty Ltd - Kangala
CoalLab Pty Ltd - Middelburg CoalLab Pty Ltd - Umlabu
CoalLab Pty Ltd - Droogvallei CoalLab Pty Ltd - VDD
CoalLab Pty Ltd - AMR Delmas Coal
Eyethu Coal Exxaro Resources - Grootegeluk Mine
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Kendal Power station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Duvha Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Lethabo Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Komati Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Tutuka Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Grootvlei Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - ERID Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Kriel Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Hendrina Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matimba Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Arnot Power Station Exxaro Resources - Matla Mine
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matla Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Medupi Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Majuba Power Station G&W Base & Industrial Minerals
Glencore Wonderkop Glencore -Rustenburg Smelter
Glencore Boshoek Smelter Glencore -Lydenburg Smelter
Glencore Lion Smelter GLI Laboratuvar Sube Mudurlugu Komur Deney Laboratuvari - Turkey
HighVeld Laboratories Idwala Lime
Intertek Mozambique Jindal Mining SA (Pty) Ltd - Kiepersol Colliery
Kangra Coal (Pty) Ltd Lafarge Industries SA (Pty) Ltd - Lichtenburg
Morupule Coal Mine - Botswana Mafube Colliery Mine pty (ltd)
Martech Marine surveyors - India Makomo Resources
Msobo Coal Pty Ltd Mitra SK South Africa (Pty) Ltd
M L Coal Noko Analytical Services CC - Welgemeend
Mpumamanzi Noko Analytical Services CC - Twistdraai
Noko Analytical Services CC - Witbank Noko Analytical Services CC - Hakahno
Richards Bay Minerals Ronewa Lab
Siza Coal Services - Dundee Siza Coal Services - Vlakfontein
Siza Coal Services - Botswana Siza Coal Services - Kinross
Siza Coal Services - Middelburg Siza Coal Services - NCC
Siza Coal Services - Carolina Siza Coal Services - Eastside
South 32 – Khutala Colliery SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Springlake
Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC – Rirhandzu Lab Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC - West Coal Processing
Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Chilwavuhusiku Laboratory
SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Richards Bay Coal Terminal Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Leeuwpan Laboratory
SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Trichardt Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Richards Bay Port Laboratory
SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – GGV Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Middelburg Laboratory
SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Impunzi Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Wondefontein Laboratory
SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Sudor SGS Tweefontein
SABS Commercial SOC Ltd CSIR SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Mimosa
SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Uitkomst SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Secunda
SPTE Lab - Middelburg SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Richards bay
Tata Steel – Wales Lab, Europe Umzamo Analytical Services - Londani
Umzamo Analytical Services - Overlooked Colliery Umzamo Analytical Services - Witbank
Umzamo Analytical Services - Doornrug Vitrovian Analytical Services DELMAS
Vitrovian Analytical Services TEGETA Vitrovian Analytical Services Umlalazi
Vitrovian Analytical Services Pullenshope Vitrovian Analytical Services Koornfontein
Zululand Anthracite Colliery Vinca Institute for Nuclear Sciences - Serbia
Page 6 of 22
1. TYPE OF SAMPLE USED
The coal used in this proficiency testing round was bituminous coal from Mpumalanga.
2. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
Approximately 800kg’s of sample with an approximate topsize of 50mm was sourced. This was crushed to -4mm
using a jaw crusher. The -4mm material was reduced to -212um using a cross beat pulveriser. The 212 material
was sieved using a 212um screen. Any +212um material was pulverised and sieved until all material passed
through the 212 um sieve.
All the -212um material was then mixed in a mixing drum for 4 hours.
3. HOMOGENEITY CHECK
There were 109 participants in this round, 10 portions of sample were randomly extracted from the 800kg
sample. These were packaged in their final form i.e. in 250ml sample bottles. The bottles were labelled 1 to 10.
The results were as follows:
SAMPLE NO.
TEST PORTION 1
TEST PORTION 2
sample av (Xt) range (Wt) range sqd
1 21,42 21,29 21,36 0,11 0,0121
2 21,32 21,26 21,29 0,03 0,0009
3 21,31 21,32 21,32 0,00 0,0000
4 21,45 21,32 21,39 0,25 0,0625
5 21,31 21,26 21,29 0,01 0,0001
6 21,53 21,30 21,42 0,01 0,0001
7 21,35 21,27 21,31 0,01 0,0001
8 21,31 21,49 21,40 0,17 0,0289
9 21,20 21,39 21,30 0,07 0,0049
10 21,30 21,31 21,31 0,05 0,002
GENERAL AVERAGE 21,34 STANDARD DEVIATION 0,049 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0,075 BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0,020
The between sample standard deviation must be ≤ 0.3 x ơ
(ơ = std deviation for the proficiency assessment)
Ơ = 2% of the mean was used, which is the repeatability for ISO ash (Ash % > 10%)
Hence 0.3 x 0.427 = 0.128
Since 0.020 < 0.128 the samples are homogenous
Page 7 of 22
4. STABILITY CHECK Samples were retained for sales as reference material. Ten of them were randomly chosen for stability testing.
In order for the proficiency testing samples to be declared stable the general average from the homogeneity
check and that of the stability check the difference in the general average should not differ by more than 0.3 X
precision
This test has been carried out about a month after the samples were received by the participating laboratories
SAMPLE NO.
TEST PORTION 1
TEST PORTION 2
sample av (Xt) range (Wt) range sqd
1 21,12 21,32 21,22 0,15 0,0225
2 21,34 21,27 21,31 0,17 0,0289
3 21,28 21,23 21,26 0,07 0,0049
4 21,25 21,31 21,28 0,10 0,0100
5 21,25 21,22 21,24 0,09 0,0081
6 21,27 21,17 21,22 0,15 0,0225
7 21,17 21,28 21,23 0,01 0,0001
8 21,21 21,33 21,27 0,10 0,0100
9 21,15 21,30 21,23 0,01 0,0001
10 21,34 21,22 21,28 0,00 0,000
GENERAL AVERAGE 21,25 STANDARD DEVIATION 0,031 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0,073 BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0,042
(Ơ = 0.425 was used)
For this report 0.3 x 0.425 = 0.128
Absolute value of (21.25 – 21.34) = 0.09
Since 0.09< 0.128 the proficiency testing samples were stable
Page 8 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO ASH (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 21,43 22,02 1,92
6a 1,48 21,44 21,76 0,0
7a 2,41 21,44 21,97 1,54
8a 2,23 21,23 21,71 -0,32
9a 2,18 21,11 21,58 -1,29
10a 2,10 21,20 21,65 -0,75
12a 2,50 21,20 21,74 -0,10
15a 2,29 21,25 21,75 -0,07
18a 2,26 21,33 21,82 0,47
20a 1,85 21,33 21,73 -0,19
21a 2,18 21,23 21,70 -0,40
23a 2,13 21,31 21,77 0,12
24a 2,10 21,41 21,87 0,81
26a 1,73 21,43 21,81 0,36
27a 1,40 21,30 21,60 -1,13
28a 1,70 21,50 21,87 0,83
32a 2,00 21,30 21,73 -0,17
33a 2,13 21,12 21,58 -1,29
35a 2,18 21,34 21,82 0,42
36a 1,90 21,50 21,92 1,15
37a 1,83 21,43 21,83 0,52
38a 2,55 21,14 21,69 -0,47
40a 2,30 21,30 21,80 0,32
42a 1,65 21,43 21,79 0,23
44a 2,03 21,60 22,05 2,10
49a 1,84 21,45 21,85 0,68
58a 1,83 21,18 21,57 -1,33
59a 2,20 21,31 21,79 0,23
60a 2,33 21,21 21,72 -0,30
61a 2,20 21,40 21,88 0,90
65a 1,90 21,50 21,92 1,15
66a 2,48 21,25 21,79 0,24
69a 1,95 21,40 21,83 0,49
72a 2,08 21,55 22,01 1,81
76a 1,80 21,43 21,82 0,47
78a 0,64 21,48 21,62 -1,01
79a 2,74 21,30 21,90 1,03
80a 2,03 21,43 21,87 0,84
82a 1,40 21,43 21,73 -0,17
83a 1,94 21,42 21,84 0,62
88a 1,93 21,30 21,72 -0,28
92a 2,61 21,17 21,74 -0,15
95a 2,13 21,24 21,70 -0,40
96a 2,18 20,97 21,44 -2,33
97a 1,75 21,30 21,68 -0,57
99a 2,10 21,50 21,96 1,48
100a 2,16 21,36 21,83 0,54
101a 2,59 21,25 21,82 0,42
105a 1,20 21,50 21,76 0,0
106a 2,48 21,02 21,55 -1,48
107a 2,04 21,40 21,85 0,64
108a 2,23 21,22 21,70 -0,39
109a 2,30 21,10 21,60 -1,17
110a 1,69 21,49 21,86 0,74
112a 2,10 21,40 21,86 0,73
117a 1,65 21,38 21,74 -0,14
124a 1,76 21,27 21,65 -0,78
126a 1,75 21,25 21,63 -0,94
131a 2,45 21,13 21,66 -0,71
132a 2,20 21,29 21,77 0,08
135a 1,88 21,34 21,75 -0,07
136a 2,75 21,06 21,66 -0,74
137a 2,12 21,66 22,13 2,70
143a 1,50 21,19 21,51 -1,78
145a 1,74 21,30 21,68 -0,59
146a 2,20 21,30 21,78 0,15
151a 2,15 21,50 21,97 1,56
155a 2,60 21,20 21,77 0,06
165a 1,48 21,16 21,48 -2,03
166a 2,10 21,30 21,76 0,0
167a 1,84 21,21 21,61 -1,09
168a 2,27 21,19 21,68 -0,55
169a 1,90 21,50 21,92 1,15
170a 1,60 21,30 21,65 -0,81
171a 2,40 21,00 21,52 -1,75
173a 1,43 21,20 21,51 -1,82
Number of results - 76 76 76 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,03 21,32 21,76 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,14 0,14 -
MEDIAN 21,30 21,76
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 21,35 21,76 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,16 0,15 -
UoM 0,02 0,02
Page 9 of 22
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
Z-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
ISO ASH Z-SCORE TREND
Page 10 of 22 COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : QUICK ASH (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
21a 2,18 21,30 21,77 0,0
22a 2,18 21,28 21,75 -0,09
23a 2,13 21,39 21,86 0,50
35a 2,18 21,29 21,76 -0,03
36a 1,90 21,60 22,02 1,43
37a 1,83 21,10 21,49 -1,59
39a 1,90 21,70 22,12 2,02
40a 2,30 21,20 21,70 -0,41
41a 2,00 21,40 21,84 0,39
49a 1,84 21,31 21,71 -0,35
50a 2,24 21,72 22,22 2,58
63a 2,60 21,27 21,84 0,39
64a 2,00 21,30 21,73 -0,20
73a 1,37 21,34 21,64 -0,77
74a 1,82 21,22 21,61 -0,90
77a 2,70 21,10 21,69 -0,48
84a 2,83 21,23 21,85 0,45
92a 2,61 21,16 21,73 -0,24
94a 2,73 20,93 21,52 -1,45
100a 2,16 21,26 21,73 -0,23
101a 2,59 21,25 21,82 0,26
102a 1,85 21,40 21,80 0,20
105a 1,20 21,50 21,76 -0,05
113a 2,43 21,23 21,76 -0,06
119a 1,43 21,15 21,46 -1,80
122a 1,78 21,50 21,89 0,69
126a 1,75 21,45 21,83 0,36
130a 2,10 21,30 21,76 -0,07
131a 2,45 21,27 21,80 0,20
132a 2,20 21,37 21,85 0,47
133a 1,95 21,38 21,81 0,21
134a 1,68 21,20 21,56 -1,19
136a 2,75 21,25 21,85 0,47
137a 2,12 21,72 22,19 2,43
138a 2,46 21,34 21,88 0,63
140a 2,18 21,33 21,81 0,21
143a 1,50 21,13 21,45 -1,83
147a 2,18 21,28 21,75 -0,09
149a 2,50 21,30 21,85 0,44
153a 2,04 21,10 21,54 -1,33
160a 2,04 21,40 21,85 0,44
161a 1,40 21,20 21,50 -1,55
163a 1,60 21,40 21,75 -0,12
164a 2,04 21,40 21,85 0,44
165a 1,48 21,16 21,48 -1,68
168a 2,27 21,04 21,53 -1,39
169a 1,90 21,45 21,87 0,55
175a 2,04 21,53 21,98 1,20
176a 1,50 21,60 21,93 0,92
Number of results - 49 49 49 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,11 21,32 21,77 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,17 0,17 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 21,32 21,77 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,20 0,19 -
UoM 0,04 0,03
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
Z-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
QUICK ASH Z-SCORE TREND
Page 11 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO VOLATILE MATTER (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 8,33 8,56 -0,48
6a 1,48 8,46 8,59 -0,40
7a 2,41 6,57 6,73 -5,97
8a 2,23 8,55 8,75 0,08
9a 2,18 8,47 8,66 -0,18
10a 2,10 8,70 8,89 0,50
12a 2,50 8,40 8,62 -0,31
15a 2,29 8,56 8,76 0,12
18a 2,26 8,70 8,90 0,55
20a 1,85 8,63 8,79 0,22
21a 2,18 8,49 8,68 -0,12
22a 2,18 8,35 8,54 -0,55
23a 2,13 8,59 8,78 0,17
24a 2,10 8,66 8,85 0,38
26a 1,73 8,41 8,56 -0,48
27a 1,40 8,70 8,82 0,31
28a 1,70 8,40 8,55 -0,52
32a 2,00 8,70 8,88 0,48
33a 2,13 7,50 7,66 -3,16
35a 2,18 8,56 8,75 0,10
36a 1,90 8,50 8,66 -0,16
37a 1,83 9,22 9,39 2,02
38a 2,55 8,49 8,71 -0,02
39a 1,90 8,03 8,18 -1,61
40a 2,30 8,45 8,65 -0,21
41a 2,00 8,80 8,98 0,78
42a 1,65 9,04 9,19 1,42
44a 2,03 8,16 8,33 -1,17
49a 1,84 8,71 8,87 0,46
50a 2,24 9,92 10,15 4,28
58a 1,83 8,69 8,85 0,40
59a 2,20 8,65 8,84 0,38
60a 2,33 8,48 8,68 -0,11
61a 2,20 8,20 8,38 -1,00
63a 2,60 8,44 8,67 -0,16
65a 1,90 8,60 8,77 0,14
66a 2,48 8,13 8,33 -1,16
69a 1,95 8,40 8,57 -0,46
72a 2,08 8,50 8,68 -0,12
73a 1,37 10,13 10,27 4,65
74a 1,82 8,51 8,67 -0,15
76a 1,80 7,53 7,67 -3,15
77a 2,70 8,50 8,74 0,05
78a 0,64 9,92 9,98 3,79
79a 2,74 8,67 8,91 0,59
80a 2,03 8,58 8,76 0,12
82a 1,40 8,19 8,31 -1,24
83a 1,94 8,42 8,59 -0,40
88a 1,93 8,65 8,82 0,30
92a 2,61 8,00 8,21 -1,51
94a 2,73 8,63 8,87 0,44
95a 2,13 8,48 8,66 -0,16
96a 2,18 8,36 8,55 -0,52
97a 1,75 8,66 8,81 0,27
99a 2,10 8,50 8,68 -0,11
100a 2,16 8,39 8,58 -0,43
101a 2,59 8,75 8,98 0,79
102a 1,85 9,00 9,17 1,35
105a 1,20 9,40 9,51 2,38
106a 2,48 8,98 9,21 1,47
108a 2,23 8,60 8,80 0,23
109a 2,30 8,50 8,70 -0,06
110a 1,69 8,60 8,75 0,09
112a 2,10 9,00 9,19 1,42
113a 2,43 7,72 7,91 -2,42
117a 1,65 8,30 8,44 -0,84
119a 1,43 8,98 9,11 1,17
122a 1,78 8,80 8,96 0,72
124a 1,76 8,42 8,57 -0,44
126a 1,75 8,50 8,65 -0,20
130a 2,10 8,30 8,48 -0,72
131a 2,45 8,33 8,54 -0,54
132a 2,20 8,50 8,69 -0,08
133a 1,95 10,80 11,01 6,88
134a 1,68 9,30 9,46 2,22
135a 1,88 8,62 8,79 0,20
136a 2,75 8,18 8,41 -0,92
137a 2,12 8,33 8,51 -0,62
138a 2,46 8,68 8,90 0,54
140a 2,18 8,31 8,50 -0,67
143a 1,50 8,68 8,81 0,28
145a 1,74 8,80 8,96 0,71
146a 2,20 8,10 8,28 -1,31
147a 2,18 8,54 8,73 0,03
151a 2,15 8,45 8,64 -0,25
155a 2,60 7,90 8,11 -1,82
156a 2,50 8,60 8,82 0,30
161a 1,40 9,10 9,23 1,53
165a 1,48 8,96 9,09 1,13
166a 2,10 8,63 8,81 0,27
167a 1,84 8,50 8,66 -0,18
168a 2,27 8,33 8,52 -0,59
169a 1,90 9,00 9,17 1,36
170a 1,60 8,80 8,94 0,67
173a 1,43 9,44 9,58 2,57
NUMBER OF RESULTS - 95 95 95 -
OUTLIERS - - 5 5 -
AVERAGE - 2,04 8,54 8,72 -
STD DEVIATION - 0,34 0,33 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 8,54 8,72 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,36 0,35 -
UoM - - 0,05 0,05 -
Page 12 of 22
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
33a
76a
113a
155a
39a
92a
146a
82a
44a
66a
61a
136a
117a
130a
140a
137a
168a
22a
131a
28a
96a
26a
1a 69a
124a
100a
83a
6a 12a
151a
40a
126a
9a 167a
95a
36a
63a
74a
21a
72a
60a
99a
132a
109a
38a
147a
77a
8a 110a
35a
80a
15a
65a
23a
135a
20a
108a
97a
166a
143a
88a
156a
27a
59a
24a
58a
94a
49a
32a
10a
138a
18a
79a
170a
145a
122a
41a
101a
165a
119a
102a
169a
42a
112a
106a
161a
37a
134a
105a
173aZ-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
VOLATILE MATTER Z-SCORE TREND
Page 13 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : CALORIFIC VALUE (MJ/kg)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (MJ/kg) DRY BASE (MJ/kg)
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 26,46 27,19 0,14
6a 1,48 26,88 27,28 0,42
8a 2,23 26,48 27,08 -0,18
9a 2,18 26,46 27,04 -0,29
10a 2,10 26,38 26,95 -0,59
12a 2,50 26,36 27,04 -0,32
15a 2,29 26,43 27,05 -0,28
18a 2,26 26,71 27,33 0,55
20a 1,85 27,15 27,66 1,54
21a 2,18 26,36 26,95 -0,58
23a 2,13 26,62 27,20 0,17
27a 1,40 24,09 24,43 -8,07
28a 1,70 25,98 26,43 -2,13
32a 2,00 26,53 27,07 -0,21
33a 2,13 26,91 27,50 1,05
35a 2,18 26,77 27,37 0,66
36a 1,90 26,58 27,09 -0,15
37a 1,83 26,62 27,12 -0,08
38a 2,55 26,27 26,96 -0,55
39a 1,90 26,45 26,96 -0,54
40a 2,30 26,47 27,09 -0,2
42a 1,65 26,63 27,08 -0,20
44a 2,03 26,55 27,10 -0,13
49a 1,84 26,68 27,18 0,11
50a 2,24 25,56 26,15 -2,97
58a 1,83 26,70 27,20 0,16
59a 2,20 25,47 26,04 -3,28
60a 2,33 26,66 27,30 0,45
61a 2,20 26,47 27,07 -0,23
63a 2,60 26,71 27,42 0,83
64a 2,00 26,79 27,34 0,57
65a 1,90 26,15 26,66 -1,45
66a 2,48 26,89 27,57 1,28
72a 2,08 27,19 27,77 1,86
73a 1,37 27,16 27,54 1,17
74a 1,82 26,58 27,07 -0,21
76a 1,80 21,20 21,59 -16,53
77a 2,70 26,87 27,62 1,40
79a 2,74 26,58 27,33 0,55
80a 2,03 27,13 27,69 1,63
82a 1,40 27,57 27,96 2,43
83a 1,94 26,85 27,38 0,71
84a 2,83 26,78 27,56 1,24
88a 1,93 27,04 27,57 1,28
92a 2,61 25,20 25,88 -3,77
94a 2,73 20,79 21,37 -17,17
95a 2,13 26,79 27,37 0,68
96a 2,18 26,95 27,55 1,21
99a 2,10 26,38 26,95 -0,6
100a 2,16 26,71 27,30 0,46
101a 2,59 26,45 27,15 0,03
102a 1,85 26,42 26,92 -0,67
105a 1,20 26,60 26,92 -0,66
106a 2,48 26,38 27,05 -0,28
108a 2,23 26,63 27,24 0,28
109a 2,30 26,57 27,20 0,15
110a 1,69 26,98 27,44 0,89
112a 2,10 26,53 27,10 -0,13
117a 1,65 27,05 27,50 1,07
119a 1,43 26,71 27,10 -0,14
122a 1,78 25,37 25,83 -3,91
126a 1,75 26,73 27,21 0,19
130a 2,10 26,61 27,18 0,11
131a 2,45 26,33 26,99 -0,45
132a 2,20 26,48 27,08 -0,20
133a 1,95 26,58 27,11 -0,10
134a 1,68 26,93 27,39 0,73
135a 1,88 26,63 27,14 0,0
136a 2,75 26,45 27,20 0,16
137a 2,12 26,59 27,17 0,07
140a 2,18 26,84 27,44 0,88
143a 1,50 26,05 26,45 -2,07
145a 1,74 26,60 27,07 -0,22
147a 2,18 26,41 27,00 -0,43
149a 2,50 26,38 27,06 -0,26
151a 2,15 26,54 27,12 -0,06
153a 2,04 25,60 26,13 -3,01
156a 2,50 26,23 26,90 -0,72
160a 2,04 25,99 26,53 -1,82
161a 1,40 26,72 27,10 -0,13
163a 1,60 26,66 27,09 -0,15
164a 2,04 26,74 27,30 0,46
165a 1,48 26,82 27,22 0,24
167a 1,84 26,76 27,26 0,35
168a 2,27 26,46 27,07 -0,21
169a 1,90 26,68 27,20 0,16
170a 1,60 26,41 26,84 -0,91
171a 2,40 26,81 27,47 0,97
172a 2,64 25,83 26,53 -1,82
175a 2,04 26,68 27,24 0,27
176a 1,50 26,73 27,14 0,0
NUMBER OF RESULTS - 91 91 91 -
OUTLIERS - - 4 5 -
AVERAGE - 2,08 26,57 27,14 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,36 0,34 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 26,57 27,14 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,38 0,35 -
UoM - - 0,05 0,05 -
Page 14 of 22
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
59a
153a
50a
28a
143a
172a
160a
65a
170a
156a
102a
105a
10a
99a
21a
38a
39a
131a
147a
12a
9a 15a
106a
149a
61a
145a
32a
74a
168a
132a
42a
8a 40a
163a
36a
119a
112a
161a
44a
133a
37a
151a
176a
135a
101a
137a
49a
130a
1a 109a
169a
58a
136a
23a
126a
165a
175a
108a
167a
6a 60a
164a
100a
18a
79a
64a
35a
95a
83a
134a
63a
140a
110a
171a
33a
117a
73a
96a
84a
88a
66a
77a
20a
80a
72a
82aZ-
SCO
RE
LABORATORY ID
CALORIFIC VALUE Z-SCORE TREND
Page 15 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL SULPHUR (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 0,84 0,86 0,00
6a 1,48 0,82 0,83 -0,36
7a 2,41 0,53 0,54 -4,97
9a 2,18 1,00 1,02 2,66
10a 2,10 0,75 0,77 -1,42
12a 2,50 0,80 0,82 -0,55
15a 2,29 0,79 0,81 -0,74
18a 2,26 0,80 0,82 -0,58
20a 1,85 0,87 0,89 0,50
21a 2,18 0,91 0,93 1,20
23a 2,13 0,78 0,80 -0,93
24a 2,10 0,90 0,92 1,02
26a 1,73 0,86 0,88 0,32
27a 1,40 0,79 0,80 -0,86
28a 1,70 0,96 0,98 1,93
32a 2,00 0,83 0,85 -0,13
35a 2,18 0,89 0,91 0,87
36a 1,90 0,79 0,81 -0,79
37a 1,83 0,88 0,90 0,66
38a 2,55 0,93 0,95 1,58
39a 1,90 0,91 0,93 1,15
40a 2,30 0,80 0,82 -0,58
42a 1,65 0,84 0,85 -0,02
44a 2,03 0,82 0,84 -0,29
49a 1,84 0,82 0,84 -0,31
50a 2,24 1,02 1,04 3,00
58a 1,83 0,81 0,83 -0,48
59a 2,20 0,74 0,76 -1,57
60a 2,33 0,80 0,82 -0,57
61a 2,20 0,78 0,80 -0,92
65a 1,90 0,74 0,75 -1,60
66a 2,48 0,81 0,83 -0,39
69a 1,95 0,80 0,82 -0,62
72a 2,08 0,88 0,90 0,69
74a 1,82 0,99 1,01 2,44
76a 1,80 0,87 0,89 0,49
78a 0,64 0,78 0,79 -1,12
79a 2,74 0,81 0,83 -0,36
80a 2,03 0,86 0,88 0,36
83a 1,94 0,88 0,90 0,67
88a 1,93 0,79 0,81 -0,79
95a 2,13 0,76 0,78 -1,25
97a 1,75 0,85 0,87 0,16
99a 2,10 0,82 0,84 -0,28
101a 2,59 0,88 0,90 0,77
106a 2,48 0,82 0,84 -0,23
108a 2,23 0,79 0,81 -0,75
109a 2,30 0,79 0,81 -0,74
110a 1,69 0,81 0,82 -0,50
112a 2,10 0,84 0,86 0,0
113a 2,43 0,86 0,88 0,42
119a 1,43 0,95 0,96 1,73
126a 1,75 0,94 0,96 1,62
130a 2,10 0,77 0,79 -1,09
131a 2,45 0,83 0,85 -0,07
132a 2,20 0,83 0,85 -0,10
133a 1,95 0,70 0,71 -2,25
134a 1,68 0,77 0,78 -1,15
136a 2,75 0,90 0,93 1,12
137a 2,12 0,90 0,92 1,02
138a 2,46 0,85 0,87 0,26
140a 2,18 0,85 0,87 0,22
143a 1,50 0,83 0,84 -0,20
145a 1,74 0,82 0,83 -0,33
146a 2,20 0,82 0,84 -0,27
151a 2,15 0,85 0,87 0,22
156a 2,50 0,80 0,82 -0,55
161a 1,40 0,81 0,82 -0,54
165a 1,48 0,85 0,86 0,00
167a 1,84 0,83 0,85 -0,15
168a 2,27 0,82 0,84 -0,26
169a 1,90 0,79 0,81 -0,79
173a 1,43 0,85 0,86 0,00
NUMBER OF RESULTS 73 73 73 -
OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -
AVERAGE - 2,04 0,84 0,86 -
MEDIAN - 0,83 0,84
STD DEVIATION - - 0,06 0,06 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 0,84 0,85 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,07 0,07 -
UoM - - 0,01 0,01
Page 16 of 22
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
7a 133a
65a
59a
10a
95a
134a
78a
130a
23a
61a
27a
36a
169a
88a
108a
15a
109a
69a
18a
40a
60a
12a
156a
161a
110a
58a
66a
6a 79a
145a
49a
44a
99a
146a
168a
106a
143a
167a
32a
132a
131a
42a
1a 165a
173a
112a
97a
151a
140a
138a
26a
80a
113a
76a
20a
37a
83a
72a
101a
35a
24a
137a
136a
39a
21a
38a
126a
119a
28a
74a
9a 50a
Z-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
TOTAL SULPHUR Z-SCORE TREND
Page 17 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 0,016 0,016 -0,33
7a 2,41 0,016 0,016 -0,34
9a 2,18 0,039 0,040 2,39
12a 2,50 0,023 0,024 0,50
18a 2,26 0,026 0,027 0,85
21a 2,18 0,027 0,028 0,97
23a 2,13 0,011 0,011 -0,93
24a 2,10 0,022 0,022 0,37
26a 1,73 0,015 0,015 -0,47
38a 2,55 0,039 0,040 2,41
69a 1,95 0,012 0,012 -0,82
74a 1,82 0,016 0,016 -0,35
78a 0,64 0,012 0,012 -0,84
108a 2,23 0,015 0,015 -0,46
109a 2,30 0,015 0,015 -0,46
112a 2,10 0,021 0,021 0,25
113a 2,43 0,013 0,013 -0,69
114a 2,04 0,018 0,018 -0,11
138a 2,46 0,021 0,022 0,26
146a 2,20 0,011 0,011 -0,93
173a 1,43 0,008 0,008 -1,30
Number of results - 21 21 21 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,11 0,019 0,019 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,008 0,009 -
MEDIAN - 0,016 0,016
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 0,018 0,019
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0,009 0,009
UoM - - 0,002 0,002
-3,00
-2,00
-1,00
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
173a 23a 146a 78a 69a 113a 26a 108a 109a 74a 7a 1a 114a 112a 138a 24a 12a 18a 21a 9a 38a
Z-SC
OR
ES
LAB ID
PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL Z-SCORES
Page 18 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL CARBON (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 68,64 70,54 -0,55
9a** 2,18 74,11 75,76 1,95
12a** 2,50 68,60 70,36 -0,64
18a 2,26 69,79 71,40 -0,14
21a** 2,18 74,13 75,78 1,96
40a** 2,30 68,10 69,70 -0,95
42a** 1,65 68,49 69,64 -0,98
49a 1,84 69,87 71,18 -0,25
66a 2,48 69,55 71,32 -0,18
88a 1,93 70,18 71,56 -0,06
99a** 2,10 67,90 69,36 -1,12
108a 2,23 69,51 71,10 -0,29
109a 2,30 69,46 71,10 -0,29
145a 1,74 70,55 71,80 0,05
173a** 1,43 73,77 74,84 1,50
Number of results - 15 15 15 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,16 70,18 71,70 -
MEDIAN - - 69,55 71,18 -
STD DEVIATION - - 2,12 2,09 -
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - - 72,70 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 70,70 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : HYDROGEN (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 2,65 2,72 -0,14
9a 2,18 2,62 2,68 -0,61
12a 2,50 2,78 2,85 1,18
18a 2,26 2,50 2,56 -1,86
21a 2,18 2,59 2,65 -0,93
36a 1,90 2,80 2,85 1,21
42a 1,65 2,75 2,80 0,61
88a 1,93 2,62 2,67 -0,73
99a 2,10 2,67 2,73 -0,10
108a 2,23 2,79 2,85 1,21
109a 2,30 2,69 2,75 0,17
Number of results 11 11 11
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,17 2,68 2,74 -
MEDIAN - 2,67 2,73 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,10 0,10 -
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - - 2,99 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 2,49 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : NITROGEN(%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 1,41 1,45 -0,27
9a 2,18 1,29 1,32 0,0
12a 2,50 1,56 1,60 1,65
18a 2,26 1,38 1,41 -0,74
42a 1,65 1,48 1,50 0,44
88a 1,93 1,49 1,52 0,63
99a 2,10 1,45 1,48 0,14
108a 2,23 1,41 1,44 -0,36
109a 2,30 1,47 1,50 0,44
Number of results 9 9 9 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,14 1,44 1,47 -
MEDIAN - 1,45 1,48 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,08 0,08 -
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - - 1,62 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 1,32 -
Page 19 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASH FUSION TEMPERATURES (oC)
LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW
1a 1311 1359 1422 1493
9a 1410 1425 1435 1450
10a 1350 1400 1440 1470
18a 1280 1310 1340 1380
21a 1365 1405 1445 1485
23a 1370 1415 1465 1500
38a 1410 1425 1435 1450
40a 1350 1390 1440 1490
42a 1370 1390 1410 1430
49a 1275 1335 1395 1445
80a 1350 1390 1460 1500
95a 1300 1330 1360 1460
99a 1302 1337 1369 1470
108a 1320 1345 1380 1425
109a 1310 1330 1370 1410
110a 1310 1340 1380 1450
112a** 1270 1290 1350 1430
131a 1370 1390 1400 1420
Number of results 18 18 18 18
Outliers 0 0 0 0
AVERAGE 1335 1367 1405 1453
MEDIAN 1335 1375 1405 1450
STDEV 43 41 39 34
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT 1415 1427 1465 1500
LOWER LIMIT 1255 1307 1345 1373
Z-SCORES
LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW
1a -0,55 -0,19 0,43 1,18
9a 1,75 1,41 0,76 -0,10
10a 0,36 0,80 0,89 0,50
18a -1,26 -1,38 -1,67 -2,18
21a 0,70 0,92 1,02 0,94
23a 0,82 1,17 1,53 1,39
38a 1,75 1,41 0,76 -0,10
40a 0,36 0,56 0,89 1,09
42a 0,82 0,56 0,12 -0,69
49a -1,38 -0,78 -0,26 -0,24
80a 0,36 0,56 1,40 1,39
95a -0,80 -0,90 -1,16 0,20
99a -0,76 -0,73 -0,93 0,50
108a -0,34 -0,53 -0,65 -0,84
109a -0,57 -0,90 -0,90 -1,28
110a -0,57 -0,66 -0,65 -0,10
112a** -1,50 -1,87 -1,42 -0,69
131a 0,82 0,56 -0,14 -0,99
Page 20 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM ASH (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE
(%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY
BASE)
1a 2,69 21,34 21,93 0,34
109a 2,30 21,20 21,70 -1,13
172a 2,64 21,42 22,00 0,79
Number of results - 3 3 3 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,50 21,32 21,88 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,11 0,16 -
MEDIAN - - 21,34 21,93 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM VOLS (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 9,32 9,58 0,33
108a 2,23 9,98 10,21 0,72
109a 2,30 9,50 9,72 0,42
172a 2,64 6,48 6,66 -1,48
Number of results - 4 4 4 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,41 8,82 9,04 -
STD DEVIATION - - 1,58 1,61 -
MEDIAN - - 9,41 9,65 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : CHLORINE (ppm)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
12a 2,50 430 441 N/A
109a 2,30 306 313 N/A
Number of results - 2 2 2 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,40 - - -
STD DEVIATION - - - - -
MEDIAN - - - - -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -JUNE 2018
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : FLUORINE (ppm)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 2,69 97 100 -1,12
12a 2,50 120 123 0,32
109a 2,30 128 131 0,80
Number of results - 3 3 3 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 2,50 115 118 -
STD DEVIATION - - 16 16 -
MEDIAN - - 120 123 -
Page 21 of 22
CONCLUSION
1. The overall ISO Ash determination trend was almost evenly distributed. The average, robust average and median all equated to 21.76% on dry base with a low standard deviation of 0.14%.
2. The overall ISO volatile determination trend indicated an almost even z-score trend. Five outliers were
detected, which seemed to be due to calculation errors.
3. Calorific value trend indicated an almost even z-score trend. Five outliers were detected on dry base. These seemed to be due to swopped samples and analytical errors. The average and robust average compared well with each other.
4. Sulphur determination had a negative bias trend. Results reported were generally lower than the average
value. One outlier was detected, which seemed like an analytical error
5. Phosphorous results were quite varied. However no outliers were detected. The median, robust average and mean compared well with each other indicating that the extreme values did not affect the centralized values.
6. Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen results were generally quite varied. However no outliers were detected.
7. AFT results: Labs performed generally well with the averages close to the median of each stage
8. Assessment criterion for homogeneity check (From ISO 13528, page 45)
8.1 Comparison of the between sample standard deviation with the standard deviation for proficiency testing Standard deviation for ISO ash =0.14 Check value = 0.14 x 0.3 = 0.042
Between sample standard deviation = 0.020 The between standard deviation is less than the check value for the criterion assessment for
homogeneity, therefore homogeneity is established.
Page 22 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS: Terms and Conditions
Return of results: Laboratories participate in proficiency testing programs on the understanding that they will be sharing their results and information anonymously with other laboratories performing the same analysis. No return of results compromises the spirit of the programs, and reports will not be sent to laboratories unless they return results. Payment in full is required from all laboratories enrolling whether they return results or not. Errors in Participant Proficiency Testing Results: Proficiency testing reports should reflect the level of accuracy that a regular testing client would receive. If a participant finds an error in their proficiency testing results, they may notify us in writing and change their submission PRIOR to the due date for return. Changes after this time will not be accepted. Coal Concepts’ reports results as submitted by participants. On occasion, it seems as though participants have mixed up the samples or not processed the samples according to the instructions. Coal Concepts cannot make assumptions of this nature and change results 'to suit'. We also cannot compromise the integrity of the programs by suggesting to some participants that they should review their results prior to the due date. (This is unfair to other participants) It is the responsibility of the participants to check all aspects of the program, including sample identification, preparation, testing instructions, calculations and reporting of the results prior to results submission. If samples are not in good condition on arrival to the participant laboratory, Coal Concepts must be notified in writing IMMEDIATELY, as often samples can be replaced in good time. Claims about samples received in bad condition will not be accepted after the report has been issued. Late Enrolments and Late Results: Late enrolment requests cannot always be accommodated, as sample manufacture must be scheduled well in advance to the shipping date of the program to allow all necessary quality assurance activities to be carried out. Shipping of PT materials and evaluating test results from PTPs out of cycle with the mainstream programs is considerably time consuming and therefore costly. In order not to disadvantage participants able to comply with time frames, Coal Concepts may charge a late fee in the following circumstances: Requests that Coal concepts staff enters results on behalf of participants Requests to record results after the due date Requests for PTP participation that is out of cycle with the scheduled dates Shipping fees and Customs clearance: Costs incurred for shipping samples and clearance of same through customs are the responsibility of the participating laboratory unless otherwise indicated Non-payment of fees: Coal Concepts retains the right to withhold reports and/or test materials and services when invoices are outstanding. Confidentiality of results: All data and information received by Coal Concepts from its clients are considered confidential unless the client has given express permission to pass on information. Definitions: The dictionary definitions of “collusion” and “falsification” are as follows. · Collusion: A secret agreement or cooperation for a fraudulent or deceitful purpose. · Falsification: Deliberately changing something to be false. In proficiency testing terms, collusion is comparing data (and perhaps changing data) to fit in with a believed “correct” result. This is contrary to the spirit of proficiency testing programs, which are issued with the intention of providing an objective comparison of a laboratory’s performance with others. Coal Concepts tries to minimise the occurrence of collusion by being aware that laboratories should be objective when they report their results, and should therefore not know the intended results at the time they are reporting to us. Answers are not provided to clients until results have been submitted. To prevent collusion and falsification our advice to clients is: DON’T confer with others about PT samples or results. DO accept the fact that everyone makes errors. DON’T average the results or opinions of every person in the laboratory before selecting the answer to be submitted. Instead, use one of the answers AS SUBMITTED to you and take advantage of the Coal Concepts internal QA services and submit all answers generated by the technicians. DO have confidence in your own results. Proficiency Testing (PT) is a compulsory part of laboratory accreditation, but it is also an important tool for giving you confidence in your results. “Enhancing” your PT results with assistance from another participant cannot increase confidence in your laboratory’s performance. Coal concepts’ testing staff are not told what the expected results are, nor what we are expecting. We subject ALL results to analysis, even if they are different. The staff have the right to check that the results we enter on their behalf are correctly transcribed. Clients are always welcome to contact Coal Concepts to seek advice or information about collusion or falsification of data. Policy for Participant Appeal of PT Performance Assessment: If participants disagree with their performance assessment in a proficiency report, they should inform Coal Concepts in writing. The response will include Coal Concepts interpretation of the outcome of the reassessment and an explanation of that outcome. (For example, explanation of a calculation, or the rationale for the outcome of the evaluation.) If a mistake has been made by Coal Concepts, it will be dealt with via Coal Concepts’ non-conformance system. Liability In no event shall a party's liability to the other party for direct damages exceed an amount equal to the value of the amount for the PT Programme, under that specific month End of report