Why BQCIS for Metals & Minerals

At BQCIS, we recognize that metals and minerals trading requires trust, precision, and speed. Our impartial verification services ensure that every stakeholder—from miners and exporters to traders, buyers, and financiers—can operate with confidence.

• Neutral Oversight — We provide independent supervision at every critical control point: mine sites, stockyards, warehouses, ports, and vessels. Our teams operate without conflicts of interest, delivering facts that all parties can rely on in negotiations and settlements.
• Representative Sampling — Sampling is the foundation of reliable results. We design and execute documented sampling plans, maintain sealed splits, and enforce a full chain-of-custody from the very first increment through to the final certificate. This ensures that every assay represents the true value of the cargo.
• Defensible Analytics — Our laboratories conduct chemical assays, moisture determination, sizing analysis, and impurity checks using globally recognized standards such as ISO and ASTM. With robust QA/QC protocols in place, our results withstand scrutiny from buyers, sellers, and arbitrators alike.
• Traceable Reporting — Every step is documented with time-stamped photographs, calibrated scale references, and secure digital records. Certificates are issued with QR codes, enabling instant verification by any counterparty—anywhere in the world. See our Certificate Verification service.
• End-to-End Coverage — From grade control at the mine face and blending oversight at stockyards, to load-out monitoring, marine/draft surveys, and dispute resolution (umpire services), BQCIS provides comprehensive coverage across the entire metals and minerals supply chain.

Supervising a mining site — Representative oversight

Inspection & Supervision

BQCIS ensures that every shipment is monitored, measured, and documented with the highest level of independence and precision. Our inspection and supervision services cover all critical stages of the supply chain, protecting both buyers and sellers while accelerating cargo release.

• Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) & Inbound Receiving Checks — Verification of quantity, condition, packaging, and compliance before dispatch or upon arrival, reducing the risk of costly disputes.
• Loading & Unloading Supervision — Oversight of vessel holds, warehouses, and containers to confirm cleanliness, integrity, and proper sealing before and after loading.
• Draft Surveys, Weighbridge Correlation, Tally & Sampling Witness — Accurate determination of cargo weight and volume through internationally recognized methods, supported by independent sampling and tally verification.
• Blend Planning & Supervision — On-site monitoring and guidance to achieve target grade, moisture, and specification during blending operations, ensuring contract compliance and optimized value.

Testing & Analysis

Accurate testing is the backbone of fair and transparent metals and minerals trade. BQCIS laboratories apply internationally recognized methodologies, strict QA/QC controls, and fully traceable documentation to deliver results that withstand commercial and legal scrutiny.

• Multi-Element Assays — Comprehensive chemical analysis including ICP-OES / ICP-MS for multi-element detection, fire assay for gold and silver, and XRF for rapid screening.
• Moisture Determination — Precise evaluation using Karl Fischer titration or oven-drying methods, with all procedures fully documented and standardized.
• Physical & Chemical Characterization — Sizing (granulometry), bulk density, loss on ignition (LOI) and volatiles, plus impurity and penalty element quantification to assess full cargo value.
• Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) — Rigorous protocols including duplicates, blanks, and Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), alongside method-bias and uncertainty tracking, ensure accuracy and defensibility of results.

On-site report — Documented evidence

Sampling & Preparation

Reliable analysis starts with representative sampling. BQCIS applies globally recognized protocols to ensure that every increment collected reflects the true composition of the lot and that all parties can trust the results.

• Lot Definition & Sampling Methods — Structured sampling plans for stockpiles, conveyors, trucks, or grabs—selected according to material type and shipment configuration.
• Increment Rules & Contamination Controls — Increments collected on a time- or mass-basis with defined minimum increment mass, supported by strict procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
• Reduction & Compositing — Sample size reduction and compositing performed using riffle splitters or rotary dividers. Moisture tins are sealed, labeled, and preserved for accurate determination.
• Quality Safeguards — Duplicate samples, travel blanks, and sealed reference splits prepared for submission to buyer, seller, and umpire laboratories, ensuring transparency and dispute defensibility.

Verification & Reporting

BQCIS provides transparent, defensible reporting that enables all stakeholders to validate results quickly and with confidence. Every certificate is issued with digital traceability and QR-secure verification.

• Scale Certificates & Correlation Notes — Independent validation of weighbridge records with drift checks and correlation reporting. See our Inspection & Supervision services for related controls.
• Photo Logs & Seal Integrity — Time-stamped, geo-tagged photo documentation, including seal numbers and integrity verification. View sample documentation in our Case Studies.
• Variance & Reconciliation Analysis — Detailed reporting against contract specifications, historical liftings, and weight/draft reconciliations to identify discrepancies. Learn more in our Dispute Resolution support.
• QR-Secured Certificates & Digital Reporting — Certificates are issued with embedded QR verification, accompanied by a consolidated digital report pack (PDF + optional structured data export for client systems).

Our Method: Sample · Test · Verify · Certify

BQCIS follows a structured four-step process that ensures every shipment is assessed with accuracy, transparency, and global compliance.

• Sample — Representative increments collected under ISO / ASTM sampling plans. All samples are sealed, labeled, and secured under full chain-of-custody procedures.
• Test — Analyses performed at accredited partner laboratories, with strict QA/QC controls including duplicates, blanks, spikes, and Certified Reference Materials (CRMs).
• Verify — Independent review of all results, supported by scale correlation, method checks, and variance analysis against contract specifications and historical data.
• Certify — Issuance of a QR-secure certificate including scope of work, test results, seal references, and a digital verification link accessible to all stakeholders. See Certificate Verification.

Who We Serve

BQCIS provides assurance across the entire metals and minerals value chain. Our impartial verification services help stakeholders reduce risk, accelerate trade, and safeguard value.

• Producers — From mine operators to exploration companies, we support grade control, blending oversight, and shipment verification at the source.
• Traders — Physical commodity traders and merchants rely on our independent inspection, sampling, and certification to secure fair transactions.
• Smelters & Refineries — We provide accurate assays, impurity/penalty element reporting, and moisture/sizing analysis to optimize input quality and settlement accuracy.
• Terminals & Warehouses — Independent oversight of storage, stockpile management, blending, and container/warehouse integrity to ensure supply chain reliability.
• Banks & Insurers — Financial institutions and underwriters depend on QR-secure certificates and auditable reports to reduce exposure and support trade finance.
• Government Agencies & Exchanges — Customs, regulators, and commodity exchanges benefit from impartial verification aligned with ISO 17020 inspection standards, enabling compliance and dispute resolution.

Commodities We Handle

BQCIS provides impartial inspection, testing, and certification across a wide spectrum of raw materials and refined products. Our teams operate at mines, ports, warehouses, smelters, and refineries worldwide to ensure accuracy, traceability, and value protection.

• Base Metals — Copper, zinc, and lead concentrates; nickel sulfides and mattes; cobalt hydroxide. Verified through ISO/ASTM-aligned sampling and multi-element assays.
• Bulks — Iron ore fines and lumps, manganese ore, bauxite and alumina, coal, and metallurgical coke. Independent supervision and draft surveys safeguard commercial settlements.
• Battery Feedstocks — Lithium-bearing spodumene, nickel intermediates, and other critical raw materials. Supported by QA/QC protocols to meet energy transition supply chain requirements.
• Precious Metal Materials — Gold and silver dore, as well as witnessed sampling of tailings, slags, and residues for recovery value verification.
• Refined & Semi-Finished Products — Aluminum ingots and billets, ferroalloys, and ferrous/non-ferrous scrap metals. Full traceability through photo logs, scale correlations, and QR-secured certificates.

BQCIS Workflow: Plan · Analyze · Verify · Certify

BQCIS applies a structured, auditable workflow that ensures every shipment is managed with integrity, accuracy, and transparency from the field to the final certificate.

• Plan & Sample — Define the lot, map the stockpile or conveyor, and set increment frequency/mass according to ISO and ASTM standards. Document PPE and safety procedures. Collect increments under contamination controls, reduce to composite samples, and prepare sealed custody splits.
• Analyze — Perform chemical and physical testing using validated methods. Apply QA/QC measures including duplicates, blanks, spikes, Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), and calibration checks. All method versions and instrument IDs are recorded for traceability.
• Verify — Reconcile draft survey and weighbridge results. Review variance against contractual specifications, investigate outliers, confirm seal integrity, and cross-check moisture against handling and stockpile conditions.
• Certify — Issue a QR-secure certificate including scope of work, assay and moisture results, seal references, photo logs, and verification link. Provide a consolidated digital report pack with a single read-only URL for counterparties, banks, and customs authorities. See Certificate Verification.

Sample collection for analysis — ISO/ASTM methods

Outcomes Our Clients See

BQCIS services deliver measurable improvements across the metals and minerals supply chain, creating tangible value for producers, traders, financiers, and end-users.

• Variance Down — Weight and quality variance reduced to as little as ±0.4% through harmonized sampling, testing, and verification methods.
• Fewer Disputes — Adoption of documented protocols has cut quality-related claims by over 50%, strengthening trust between counterparties and reducing arbitration costs. See examples in our Case Studies.
• Faster Release — Clear, QR-secured certificates and digital report packs accelerate payment approvals, trade finance processing, and customs clearance.

Program Options

BQCIS offers flexible engagement models to match client needs—from one-time transactions to long-term supply programs.

• Ad-Hoc Shipments — Rapid mobilization for one-off inspections and laboratory tests. Ideal for trial cargoes, spot trades, or urgent verification requirements.
• Contract Programs — Structured, recurring supervision and testing across multiple liftings. Includes harmonized templates, agreed KPIs, and consolidated reporting to build consistency and reduce variance.
• Blending Oversight — On-site monitoring and real-time adjustment to achieve contractual grade and moisture targets, preventing disputes and optimizing cargo value.
• Umpire Support — Preparation and sealing of custody splits for buyer, seller, or designated umpire laboratories, ensuring transparency in contested situations.

External references:
GAFTA Sampling & Analysis Rules,
ISO 17020 – Conformity Assessment.

Deliverables (Your “Evidence Pack”)

Every BQCIS engagement results in a transparent, defensible record set—our Evidence Pack—providing counterparties, banks, and regulators with full assurance and traceability.

• Sampling Plan & Map — Lot identification, increment frequency/mass, contamination controls, and PPE documentation.
• Composite & Reduction Records — Detailed records of composite formation, reduction steps, and a sealed split registry for buyer/seller/umpire labs.
• Assay & Moisture Reports — Results accompanied by method statements, instrument IDs, and QA/QC summaries (duplicates, blanks, CRMs).
• Draft & Weight Calculations — Correlated with weighbridge tickets and scale certificates, including drift checks and reconciliation notes.
• Seal Log & Photo Dataset — Complete record of seal numbers, positions, and integrity photos, with time-stamps and geo-tags.
• Variance & Trend Report — Comparative analysis against contractual specifications and historical liftings, highlighting shifts and patterns.
• Recommendations — Practical guidance such as blend corrections, alternate loading sequences, or moisture-handling adjustments.
• Certificate & Digital Report Pack — QR-secured certificate plus a consolidated PDF. Optional machine-readable CSV/JSON export for integration into client or bank systems.

External references:
ISO 17025 – Testing & Calibration Labs,
ICC Incoterms & Trade Rules,
GAFTA – Sampling & Analysis Standards.

Loading port report & supervision — Reliable reporting