trading mining service

Bureau Veritas’ global presence is able to the support the trading sector by providing high quality independent inspection and analytical services across a multitude of products including precious metals, non-ferrous and steel and energy materials. Our services certify the quality and quantity of commodities traded helping to ensure your commercial interests are protected as much as possible. Our certificates of analysis are used for commercial settlement purposes world wide and come with a very strong reputation backed by over 150 years of analytical experience.

Summary

our various services:

Coal, Coke and Biomass

Inspection and Testing Throughout the Coal Supply Chain

The movement of bulk cargo can be associated with a number of risks, including loss of material through poor handling and quality variations from contamination or transport damage. These risks can result in significant financial loss for the commercial parties involved.

Bureau Veritas’ independent inspection, weighing, sampling and testing services are available worldwide to monitor the supply chain and minimise or eliminate these risks. We have an array of expertise that covers the full range of solid fuels, including energy and coking coals, coke, pet-coke and biomass.

We also design, install and operate mechanical sampling systems and our laboratories cover the full range of solid fuels testing from standard coal tests to specialist tests such as coke reactivity, petrography and many others.

Key Benefits of Our Coal, Coke and Biomass Services

  • Extensive global network offers rapid turnaround time from sampling to certification
  • Umpire or arbitration assaying to support commercial settlement
  • ISO 17025 accredited laboratories in key exporting and importing countries
  • Overcome sampling and quality problems with training and consultancy services

Aluminium (AI) Testing

Expert laboratory testing to determine the quality of all parts of the aluminium chain.

Bureau Veritas port inspectors are greatly in demand to oversee loading and discharge of cargoes and our services provide end-to-end risk management to the aluminium mining, refining and trading industry ensuring that the value chain is protected at each link.

Our global network of laboratories is ideally placed to service the needs of those dealing with aluminium from the mined ore, such as bauxite through to the high grade traded metal as might be registered with the London Metal Exchange (LME). 

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025.

Chrome (Chromium) Testing

Testing Chromium

Bureau Veritas is one of the leading providers of inspection and assaying services to the world’s non-ferrous metals industry, including the testing of chromium (iron chromium oxide (FeCr2O4))also known as the ore chromite. Chromium or chrome is derived from the ore chromite, which is now the main source of chromium for pigments of chromium. Bureau Veritas has inspection and sampling experts based throughout the world’s main mining, shipping and refining locations and can provide international coordination through our UK centre.
Our key laboratory in the UK is accredited by the London Metal Exchange and carries ISO 17025 accreditation for its full range of tests. We provide independent high precision assaying of metal content allowing trading parties to agree value. 



Non-ferrous metals capabilities

  • Analytical Techniques
  • Gravimetric and classical assaying
  • Instrumental techniques
  • Round robins and training

Copper (Cu) Testing

Copper concentrates require extensive testing to determine the exact composition of the material, as it is found in conjunction with other metals and compounds, such as arsenic, iron, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, fluorine and others. Bureau Veritas’ expert laboratory technicians use gravimetric and instrumental analysis to ISO 17025 to determine the components and from that the value of the cargo. Equally important as the analysis is the sampling conducted. Bureau Veritas’ port inspectors are widely recognised for their skill in providing homogenous samples for laboratory analysis and thereby being a vital part of the client’s risk management procedures.

Gold Analysis

High precision laboratory testing to determine the quality of gold in your samples

The method of choice for the accurate determination of the gold content, particularly in non-ferrous concentrate, is by classical fire assay.

It is essential that it is carried out with meticulous care and Bureau Veritas' laboratory technicians are greatly experienced in the techniques and processes of fire assay and their analysis is regarded as outstanding in the industry.

Fire assay is a well-established way of isolating the precious metal material by fusion processes. A range of highly accurate techniques may then be used to determine the concentration of gold in the original sample. These include gravimetry, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES).

International standards

Bureau Veritas undertakes gold analysis in accordance with international standards such as ISO 10378 and 11426.

Industrial Minerals

Expert inspection and precise analysis to compliment your risk management process.

In large shipments, a tiny variation in the elements that make up the cargo can have a significant impact on value. The technical knowledge of how to obtain the most homogenous samples from large cargos is widely respected by those involved in the industry and explains why our inspectors are in such great demand.

The expertise to provide precise test results is a vital part of the value chain and the risk management process. Bureau Veritas provide accurate assay results with speedy turnaround times, geared to the needs of trade and industry. Our technical experts are dedicated to the analysis of the widest variety of industrial minerals where it is essential to know the precise composition of concentrates.

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025.

Iron Ore Testing

Expert Testing Services for the Iron Ore Industry

Bureau Veritas is one of the leading providers of inspection and assaying services to the world’s non-ferrous metals industry, including the testing of iron (Fe) ore. Bureau Veritas has inspection and sampling experts based throughout the world’s main mining, shipping and refining locations and can provide international coordination through our UK centre. We provide independent high precision assaying of metal content allowing trading parties to agree value.

Ore testing capabilities


  • Analytical Techniques
  • Gravimetric and classical assaying
  • Instrumental techniques
  • Round robins and training

Lead (Pb) Testing

Highly skilled inspection and testing to determine accurate material valuation.

Bureau Veritas’ inspectors are highly qualified to advise on all aspects of load and discharge. This is vital to ensure the quantity of the cargo is accurately recorded and the test samples are representative.

Bureau Veritas’ global network of laboratories is ideally suited to the needs of the lead industry with its widespread areas of production and consumption. Lead ores are typically found in conjunction with other elements such as arsenic, antimony, bismuth, zinc, copper silver and gold. Careful sampling, preparation and analysis are essential to determine the value of cargoes as well as understanding the environmental and health aspects of the minerals.

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025.

Manganese Testing

Analysis of ore for manganese

Bureau Veritas is one of the leading providers of inspection and assaying services to the world’s non-ferrous metals industry, including the testing of manganese (Mn). Bureau Veritas has inspection and sampling experts based throughout the world’s main mining, shipping and refining locations and can provide international coordination through our UK centre. We provide independent high precision assaying of metal content allowing trading parties to agree value. 



Ore testing capabilities


  • Analytical Techniques
  • Gravimetric and classical assaying
  • Instrumental techniques
  • Round robins and training

Nickel Testing

Inspection and Testing Services for the Nickel Industry

Bureau Veritas is one of the leading providers of inspection and assaying services to the world’s non-ferrous metals industry, including the testing of nickel (Ni). Bureau Veritas has inspection and sampling experts based throughout the world’s main mining, shipping and refining locations and can provide international coordination through our UK centre. 
Our key laboratory in the UK is accredited by the London Metal Exchange and carries ISO 17025 accreditation for its full range of tests. We provide independent high precision assaying of metal content allowing trading parties to agree value.

Non-ferrous metals capabilities

  • Analytical Techniques
  • Gravimetric and classical assaying
  • Instrumental techniques
  • Round robins and training

Precious Metals: Gold, Silver and Platinum Group Metals (PGM)

Specialist assaying to the precious metals industry for over 150 years

Bureau Veritas has teams of expert personnel located within easy reach of all major precious metal refineries. Our services include the supervision and monitoring of raw materials delivery, sampling operations and high precision assaying for commercial settlement.

PGM materials come in a wide variety of forms from high purity bullion to concentrates and dore. They are also recovered in the form of scrap from the electronics, dental, photographic and jewellery industries. With high metal values and the complex range of forms, these materials present many sampling and analytical challenges. Our highly trained inspection and analytical team will ensure maximum return on your investment.

Bureau Veritas is also accredited for the proactive monitoring of refineries for the London Bullion Market Association ‘Good Delivery’ status.

Key Benefits of our Assay Services

  • Accuracy and independence that allows smoother commercial transactions
  • Umpire or arbitration assaying to support commercial settlement
  • ISO 17025 accredited laboratories provide you with assurance
  • Training and consultancy services helping you overcome sampling and refining problems

Rare Earths Analysis

Expert analysis is essential to determine the exact composition of ores and help clients protect value and manage their risk. Bureau Veritas’s highly qualified and experienced laboratory technicians determine the most efficient testing techniques to deliver swift and accurate results. Our work is widely recognised in the industry for its thoroughness and accuracy. Bureau Veritas is frequently called on as an umpire in dispute resolution.  

One key aspect of the service is at ports where inspectors are highly knowledgeable about cargoes and oversee sampling to provide homogenous material crucial for precise laboratory testing.

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025

Silver Testing

Expert Testing & Analysis to determine the quality of your silver.

Technical expertise is of paramount importance in determining the accurate concentration of silver in a sample. Bureau Veritas has highly trained technicians who through years of practical experience determine the best way of preparing samples and delivering the most accurate results. 

Silver can be analysed using gravimetry through the classical fire assay process. It can also be determined through a combination of chemical digests and instrumental techniques such as Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES). 

Consistency of approach and quality testing are essential and Bureau Veritas constantly monitors its performance so that clients can be assured of the same, top quality, level of service in any of its facilities. 

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025

Zinc (Zn) Testing

Experienced inspection and accurate analysis to minimise your risk.

At the port, both for loading and discharge, the expertise of our inspectors are on hand to ensure the proper weight of cargo is recorded and samples for testing are representative. 

Careful laboratory analysis is essential to measure the precise concentration of any cargo, and from that, its value. Bureau Veritas’ highly experienced laboratory technicians use a wide range of analytical techniques to deliver timely results to clients as part of the risk management process. 

Consistency of approach and strict quality control is vital in the precise determination of zinc and Bureau Veritas constantly monitors its performance so that customers can be assured of the same, top quality, level of service in all of its facilities. Bureau Veritas is widely used as an umpire or arbitrator as well as undertaking regular party work on behalf of global clients.

International standards

Bureau Veritas laboratories work to international standards such as ISO 17025.