ECBH Mining Inspection and Sampling Services

Done when ownership changes or when a time charter is arranged, it protects your interests and investment. Local ECBH inspectors work seamlessly within our global network to ensure that your independent survey adheres to industry best practices.

When buying, selling or chartering a vessel, an independent bunker and conditional survey provides you with documented proof of the actual condition of the vessel. A visual inspection performed by one of our marine services experts also minimizes your commercial and contractual risks by ensuring that the quality of the bulk cargo shipped from the load port is the quality that arrives at the discharge port.

BUNKER SURVEYS

A bunker survey establishes the amount of bunker and lube oil onboard the vessel. These surveys are an important loss-prevention measure since documentation of bunker operations is required in the event of a dispute or claim.

Improper collection and distribution of bunker samples may risk the settlement of a subsequent claim in the event of a dispute. Our global network of third party marine inspectors have extensive experience conducting bunker surveys prior to and after time charter periods.

CONDITIONAL SURVEYS

A conditional survey is usually done in association with a bunker survey. A conditional survey is performed to inspect and record the condition of the loading gear, cargo holds and hatches of the vessel.

ECBH inspectors are highly regarded internationally. They provide you with documented independent proof of the actual condition of the vessel you are buying, chartering or using. The findings and the report that ECBH inspectors provide can be used to substantiate claims that may arise as a result of damage to the vessel or cargo.

Conditional and bunker surveys are two ECBH commercial carrier inspections that give you financial protection and peace of mind when shipping bulk cargo.

We have the protocols, procedures and laboratory expertise to reliably reduce your samples to a form that is suitable for analysis.

Sample reduction (crushing, splitting and screening) are the steps that typically occur after sample drying.  The professionals in our laboratories are skilled in these procedures. They provide you with sub-samples that are free of contamination and properly prepared for analysis.

SAMPLE CRUSHING

ECBH laboratory staff most commonly use a jaw crusher as the primary crushing tool. These crushers can accommodate chunks up to 15 cm and can reduce them in size until 80% of the sample passes through a 2 mm screen. Staff then use ring and puck mills to prepare a smaller particle size if required for sample pulverizing. Organic samples can be reduced in size with a macerating hammer mill. This makes organic material easier to homogenize and makes representative sub-sampling easier.

Sample crushing services available through our laboratories include:

• Jaw crush to -6mm
• Crush <3.0kg to 75% passing 2mm
• Jaw crush to nominal -2mm using Boyd, Rhino, Nugget or Terminator Crusher
• Jaw crush <3.0kg, variable mesh size
• Jaw crush >3.0kg, variable mesh size
• Crush <3.0kg to 90% passing 2 mm 

SAMPLE SPLITTING

After crushing, ECBH laboratory staff sub-sample the sample to create a portion for pulverizing. This may require splitting. Our staff follow industry standard practices to ensure that your sub-samples are representative of the primary sample. Duplicate splits are scrutinized to be sure that they are crushed to a suitably small sample size before splitting.

ECBH sample splitting services include:

• Sample volume reduction – cone and quarter
• Sample volume reduction – riffle split
• Sample volume reduction – rotary splitter

SAMPLE SCREENING

Sample screening is one further sample preparation procedure offered by ECBH. Sample screening services include:

• Dry screening to -80 mesh for samples <2.0kg
• Dry screening various mesh sizes for samples 2.0kg

ECBH’s rigorous sample crushing, splitting and screening methods ensure that results of your analyses are truly representative of the sample. Go to sample preparation for a complete description of our services.

No matter how complex a mechanical sampling system is, the ability to determine and maintain correct control of the operation is essential. Optimize your operations with an ECBH mechanical sampling system that includes a PLC based control system.

Our mechanical sampling systems are equipped with PLC (programmable logic controller) based control systems to ensure the consistent, efficient delivery of unbiased and representative samples. ECBH PLC based control systems include a number of features that ensure the smooth operation of your mechanical sampling system:

• You can easily modify the sampling system parameters through the supplied software, and without the need for specific hardware or experienced engineering staff.
• All of our PLC-based control systems include reliable Omron or Allen Bradley PLCs.
• The optional Touch Screen allows operators to modify operating parameters on a password-protected screen. This feature provides increased system security and allows you to monitor the status of the sampling system and display alarm conditions.
• Safety and durability are built into each system. The enclosure for the motor control centre (MCC) and PLC is of a Form 1 construction with IP65 (International Protection) rating. The enclosure can be supplied in painted mild steel, 316 stainless steel or other materials to meet your requirements.
• Motors and control elements are temporarily wired to the MCC and fully tested prior to delivery.

Contact us to learn how ECBH’s accurate and reliable mechanical sampling systems and PLC based control systems can optimize your bulk cargo sampling operation.

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ECBH prepares samples of geological materials, industrial raw materials, scrap materials and other products for chemical analysis. We have the expertise and standard procedures to ensure representative samples that lead to reliable results.

Many of the samples received at ECBH laboratories are wet. They must be dried before they can be crushed or pulverized for analysis. Our laboratory staff uses drying procedures that avoid contamination and ensure that the drying temperature is suitable for your sample and the analysis that you want to perform on it. Improper drying is known to result in the loss of target elements, for example mercury.

ECBH is flexible when it comes to sample drying. We have drying protocols to accommodate drying at 105oC or 60oC. If you need a custom temperature, we can work together to achieve this as well.

We can also dry excessively wet samples and dry and macerate vegetation for analysis.

ECBH sample drying, sample reduction and sample pulverizing are crucial steps that lead to reliable results from chemical analysis. Call us today to discover more.

ECBH cargo visual inspections are requested by buyers or sellers to ensure that their cargo is loaded in sound condition and stowed properly. Such inspections also provide assurance that the cargo being shipped is the cargo that you have bought or sold.

An ECBH cargo visual inspection gives you the security of knowing that your cargo has been verified by the world leader in shipping inspections.

Globally recognized ECBH inspectors complete visual inspections at the time of loading or unloading or after a transaction is finalized.

Our standardized inspections include the following steps:

• Inspection of the carrier to verify suitability for the intended cargo (cleanliness, dryness, ventilation, cargo separation)
• A report on markings, type of packing (bulk, cartons/drums, etc.) and, if practical, a count of goods
• Confirmation that a clean mate receipt was granted
• Verification that units chosen at random match those stated on the order’s product description, product specification and features
• Verification of product characteristics or quality parameters that cannot be visually verified (e.g., steel grade can be confirmed when the vendor supplies documentary evidence)
• A check on packing, marking and labeling, manufacture dates, batch numbers, expiry dates, shipping marks, packing lists, supplier certificates and labels
• Documentation of how and when goods were loaded and exact location (stowage) in the receiving carrier; type, name and/or number of receiving carrier and where goods were located prior to loading
• Maintenance of a time log, including arrival and departure dates of carrier, time and date of loading, loading delays and reason for delays, description of loading gear/apparatus, weather conditions, rainfall, dust suppression, wind-waste, remainder on wharf, etc.

ECBH inspectors record, photograph and report any abnormalities such as discrepancies in the cargo description, damage, loss of material, improper stowing or delays in loading. You can trust ECBH to be your representative in any port, worldwide. Our objective verification and inspection team provide accurate, transparent documentation and always represent your interests during the handling of your bulk cargo.

Accurate and reliable visual inspection is one commercial carrier inspection service offered by ECBH, a trusted leader in bulk cargo management.

ECBH cargo tally verification services provide assurance that the number or quantity of goods to be shipped or received is that described in shipping documents such as the bill of lading, letter of credit, mate’s receipt, or other documents. 

Our cargo inspections also confirm that material has been packed, marked and labeled accurately.

Our cargo tally inspectors perform a number of activities, based on your needs:

• Conduct cargo tallies during loading and unloading to assure all parties that the quantity specifications and features are as outlined in the documentation
• Check packing, marking and labeling
• Monitor product marking and packing details to confirm that the material is shipped in suitable packaging
• Confirm manufacture dates, batch numbers, expiry dates, shipping marks and packing lists, supplier certificates and labels

Rely on comprehensive and trusted ECBH cargo tally verification and other cargo and vessel services we offer globally throughout the supply chain.

To ensure quality, integrity, and health and safety, your installations, equipment and materials must meet a number of legal and voluntary requirements. We offer you both statutory inspections and voluntary inspections to help you meet all quality and performance requirements – whether they are statutory, voluntary or customer based.

WHY CHOOSE STATUTORY INSPECTIONS AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTION FROM ECBH?

We have accreditations to all major standards and regional regulations, enabling us to offer you a comprehensive range of statutory and voluntary inspections to help you ensure:

• The health and safety of employees in the workplace 
• Installation integrity
• Environmental sustainability 
• Regulatory compliance within defined standards 
• The availability, safety and reliability of your assets
• The sustainability of your business operations

TRUSTED STATUTORY INSPECTIONS AND VOLUNTARY INSPECTIONS FROM A WORLD LEADER

As the world leader in statutory and voluntary inspections, we offer you unrivaled experience, expertise and resources, anywhere in the world.  We are a notified body for most European directives and have the necessary accreditations to provide inspection and certification services for various markets across the globe.

Contact us today to find out how our statutory inspections and voluntary inspections can ensure that your assets meet all quality and performance requirements.

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Mechanical Sampling Systems (MSS) offer a number of advantages over manual sampling, including:

• Improved safety
• Consistency of results 
• Full access to all materials 
• Non-biased samples 

When your MSS is working properly, these features ensure cost-effective operation as well as compliance to international standards and customer specifications. 

ECBH is at the forefront of MSS inspection and audit. Our fully qualified, independent sampling inspectors can conduct sampling inspections, sampling audits and full inspections of your system whenever you make significant changes, or prior to bias testing. Our professionals use strict quality controls and state-of-the-art instrumentation to ensure that your MSS is providing consistent, representative samples. 

REPORT CONTENTS

Our MSS audit report provides you with information regarding issues related to non-compliance with standards. Our inspections and audits also pinpoint any operational or maintenance concerns that may affect good sampling practices. Our global network of experienced sampling engineers perform detailed inspections, audits and reporting of the operation and status of the plant. This requires a critical review of the plant with respect to the original design specifications, current status and operation of the plant and compliance with applicable sampling standards.

An audit report will provide information regarding non-compliance with relevant standards and good sampling practices. It will also highlight any maintenance issues and provide recommendations with respect to achievement of compliance.

TECHNICAL AUDITS

A technical audit should always be carried out on an MSS prior to bias testing. This allows most potential sources of bias to be identified and corrected prior to the bias test. This will result in a higher possibility that the bias test will be passed, thus avoiding the need for further investigations, corrective actions and additional bias tests to confirm that sampling is unbiased.

ECBH has earned a worldwide recognition for complete, thorough inspections and audits of mechanical sampling systems. When you partner with us, you share in our reputation for quality work, compliance with international standards and transparent, internationally accepted reports.

Contact ECBH and be certain that your mechanical sampling system is delivering data you can trust when making important decisions in your operation.

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ECBH uses a variety of tests, including loss on ignition (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis, to provide reliable, globally recognized qualitative and quantitative analyses of the crystalline water and volatile components in your samples.

State-of-the-art ECBH laboratories around the world conduct a number of accurate, independent chemical analyses for moisture content and volatiles including:

LOSS ON IGNITION (LOI) TESTING

Loss on ignition represents the mass of moisture and volatile material present in a sample. The volatile materials lost usually consist of 'combined water' and carbon dioxide from carbonates. Results of this important test are a component of the whole rock analysis of a mineral. During an LOI test, ECBH technical experts heat the sample at a specific temperature, collecting and measuring the moisture and volatiles that are released. The test continues until the mass of the sample ceases to change.

THERMOGRAVIMETRY

Results of an ECBH thermogravimetry, or thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), define the LOI in your samples. During this analysis the change in mass of the samples is continuously monitored as temperature is increased. Thermogravimetric tests conducted in ECBH laboratories provide reliable test results based on accurate measurements of weight, temperature and temperature change. We conduct this test to determine a number of parameters including:

• Degradation temperature 
• Absorbed moisture content 
• Levels of organic and inorganic compounds
• Decomposition points
• Solvent residues
• Corrosion kinetics
• LOI

ECBH uses an infrared detector to precisely identify gases following TGA when you require more definitive results.

ECBH provides a full range of chemical analyses to accurately determine the moisture content in your materials. Our technical excellence and experienced staff ensure trustworthy test results. We provide you with the impartial and independent data about the quality and composition of your sample that you need to make the best decisions to grow your operation.

Call us today to discover more.

ECBH is synonymous with the highest levels of integrity, impartiality and accuracy. We have been involved in the design, manufacture and monitoring of mechanical sampling systems (MSS) for over 35 years, and our bulk cargo systems are in operation in over 20 countries. ECBH provides expert consulting services for the design, manufacture and support of your mechanical sampling system.

Our mechanical sampling consulting team works with you from concept definition to full system operation. Based on your needs, we develop the project specifications, review them with your team and then design the system. We have earned a reputation for reliability - chutes and material flow systems designed by ECBH provide consistent standardized operations that deliver for many years. Fabrication, installation, commissioning and ongoing mechanical sampling support are also available from ECBH.

MSS specification statements include complete budgeting information, which allows you to consider optional components and gives you the information you need to decide on available options and compare construction bids.

The ECBH team considers your specific needs, potential capital and operational costs to ensure that your bulk cargo mechanical sampling system meets your budget and delivers best value and optimal performance. Their findings allow you to optimize your system, based on your budget, needs and other constraints.

Mechanical sampling consulting services are one way that ECBH can optimize your bulk cargo mechanical sampling operation. Trust the team that designs, manufactures and monitors mechanical sampling systems for clients on every continent.

Our marine services are globally standardized and administered, and our loading masters and inspectors are well respected at ports and terminals around the world. Loading master and on-hires and off-hires are two services ECBH provides for the shipping and commercial transport industry.

LOADING MASTER

An ECBH loading master represents you and your interests during loading and unloading at any port or terminal in the world. He is your key link between the vessel, terminal operators and third party surveyors. Our loading masters are effective because they have a thorough understanding of local shore operations and procedures. Our independent local loading masters have extensive experience in marine logistics and are backed by ECBH’s global network.

ECBH offers outstanding capabilities in a number of functions including:

• Supervising loading and unloading operations to ensure these operations are carried out in a timely and efficient manner
• Ensuring that safety procedures are followed at all times
• Managing berth time
• Verifying that all environmental laws and regulations are followed
• Completing all paperwork and documentation
• Keeping you informed of the progress of your shipment and notifying you of any potential problems

ON-HIRES AND OFF-HIRES

Whether you are the owner or the charterer, it is critical to have sound, reputable documentation of the condition of a vessel at the beginning and conclusion of a charter agreement. This information is crucial in the event of a dispute over the condition and maintenance of the vessel following a charter term.

ECBH’s experienced marine surveyors represent you. They inspect your vessel prior to the commencement of the charter. They examine the equipment on board and document its condition and state of maintenance. At the end of the charter, he re-examines the vessel and documents any noteworthy changes. Detailed reports are then given to all parties involved in the charter. The report can be a key piece of independent evidence that can protect your interests in the case of a dispute over the maintenance state or condition of a vessel at the conclusion of a charter.

Independent loading master and on- & off-hires are commercial carrier inspection services offered by ECBH, the trusted market leader in bulk cargo trade services.