Page 1 of 22
`
COAL CONCEPTS PROFICIENCY TESTING
GENERAL ANALYSIS SAMPLE
REPORT – ONE HUNDRED AND ONE
Revision 00
Final report
DATE ISSUED: 31 MARCH 2020
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] l [email protected]
LABORATORY CODE:
Page 2 of 22
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. One hundred and ten samples were sent to participants with 100 timeous result submissions
2. The total number of outliers found were as follows (dry base):
• ISO Ash x 2
• ISO volatile matter x 6
• Calorific value x 3
• Total sulphur x 1
• Phosphorous in coal x 2
• Ash fusion (Flow) x 5
3. Chlorine, Fluorine, ASTM Ash & ASTM Volatile Matter participants were insufficient to warrant robust statistical calculations.
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 10
Quick Ash trend 11
ISO Volatile matter data
12
ISO Volatile matter z-score trend
13
Calorific value data
14
Calorific value z-score trend
15
Total sulphur data
16
Total sulphur z-score trend
17
Phosphorous data and Z-Score trend
18
Carbon data / Hydrogen data / Nitrogen data
19
AFT data and z-scores
20
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 MARCH 2020 Thank you for your participation in the Coal Concepts proficiency testing scheme.
Your laboratory code is as per the cover page.
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 - Kleinkopje Colliery Anglo SOC - Greenside Colliery
Afrisam - Dudfield Alfred H Knight -Richards Bay Laboratory
Afrisam - Ulco AquaSpecto
Botswana Power Corporation - Morupule B Power Station Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Middelburg
Bureau Veritas – Moatize, Vale 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 - Belfast Cotecna South Africa - Nasonti
Cotecna South Africa - Lurco Cotecna South Africa - Phola
Cotecna South Africa – Tselentis Cotecna South Africa - Kangala
Cotecna South Africa - Middelburg Cotecna Ubumbene(Pty)Ltd - Umlabu
- Umlabu Cotecna South Africa - Mimosa Cotecna South Africa - VDD
Cotecna South Africa - Droogvallei Cotecna South Africa - AMR
Delmas Coal Eyethu Coal Mooifontein
Eyethu Coal Wilge Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matimba Power Station
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 – Majuba Power Station
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Arnot Power Station Exxaro Resources - Grootegeluk Mine
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matla Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Medupi Power Station
Exxaro Resources - Matla Mine G&W Base & Industrial Minerals
Glencore Wonderkop Glencore -Rustenburg Smelter
Glencore Boshoek Smelter Glencore -Lydenburg Smelter
Glencore Lion Smelter Hwange Colliery – Zimbabwe
HighVeld Laboratories Idwala Lime
Intertek Mozambique Kangra Coal (Pty) Ltd
Jindal Mining SA Pty Ltd – Kiepersol Colliery Mpumamanzi Group CC
Khwezela Colliery - Landau Mafube Colliery Mine PTY (Ltd)
Lafarge Industries SA (Pty) Ltd - Lichtenburg Mitra SK South Africa (PTY) Ltd
Morupule Coal Mine - Botswana Noko Analytical Services CC - Welgemeend
Msobo Coal PTY Ltd Noko Analytical Services CC - Twistdraai
M L Coal PTY Ltd Quality Ensure Eastside Laboratory
Noko Analytical Services CC - Hakahno Ronewa Lab Middelburg
Noko Analytical Services CC - Witbank Ronewa Lab Ubuntu
Richards Bay Minerals Seriti - New Vaal Colliery
RSA Labs Siza Coal Services - Vlakfontein
Seriti - Kriel Colliery Siza Coal Services - Kinross
Siza Coal Services - Wescoal Siza Coal Services - NCC
Siza Coal Services - Botswana Siza Coal Services - Mooiplaats
Siza Coal Services - Middelburg Siza Coal Services - Sasolburg
Siza Coal Services - Carolina South 32 – Khutala Colliery
Siza Coal Services - Wildfontein Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC - West Coal Processing
Siza Coal Services - Umlalazi Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC – Mzimkhulu
Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC - Vaalbult SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Richards bay
Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Secunda
Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC – Elandsfontein SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Springlake
SABS Commercial SOC Ltd CSIR UIS Analytical Services
SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Uitkomst Umzamo Analytical Services - Witbank
SPTE Lab - Middelburg Umzamo Analytical Services - Sudor
Tata Steel – Wales Lab, Europe Zululand Anthracite Colliery
Umzamo Analytical Services - Overlooked Colliery
Umzamo Analytical Services - Doornrug
Vitrovian Analytical Services DELMAS
Page 6 of 22
1. TYPE OF SAMPLE USED
The coal used in this proficiency testing round was bituminous coal
2. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE
Approximately 1000kg’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 110 participants in this round, 10 portions of sample were randomly extracted. These were
packaged in their final form i.e. in 200ml 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 21.98 22.08 22.03 0.10 0.0100
2 22.04 21.98 22.01 0.06 0.0036
3 21.94 22.02 21.98 0.08 0.0064
4 21.99 22.09 22.04 0.10 0.0100
5 22.04 22.05 22.05 0.01 0.0001
6 22.02 22.03 22.03 0.01 0.0001
7 22.04 22.08 22.06 0.04 0.0016
8 22.07 22.00 22.04 0.07 0.0049
9 22.03 22.12 22.08 0.09 0.0081
10 22.11 22.01 22.06 0.10 0.0100
GENERAL AVERAGE 22.04 STANDARD DEVIATION 0.027 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.052
BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.025
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 0.441 = 0.132
Since 0.025 < 0.132, 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 21.97 22.10 22.04 0.13 0.0169
2 21.95 22.11 22.03 0.16 0.0256
3 22.00 21.97 21.99 0.03 0.0009
4 22.34 22.15 22.25 0.19 0.0361
5 22.19 22.08 22.14 0.11 0.0121
6 22.24 22.39 22.32 0.15 0.0225
7 22.30 22.07 22.19 0.23 0.0529
8 22.19 22.47 22.33 0.28 0.0784
9 22.01 22.12 22.07 0.11 0.0121
10 22.24 21.99 22.12 0.25 0.0625
GENERAL AVERAGE 22.14 STANDARD DEVIATION 0.122 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.126
BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.082
(Ơ = 0.566 was used)
For this report 0.3 x 0.441 = 0.132
Absolute value of (22.14– 22.04) = 0.010
Since 0.010 < 0.132 the proficiency testing samples were stable
Page 8 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO ASH (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 21.75 22.76 -0.77
6a 3.77 21.76 22.61 -1.79
7a 3.08 22.47 23.18 2.13
9a 4.06 21.85 22.77 -0.67
10a 3.20 22.20 22.93 0.42
12a 4.30 21.90 22.88 0.07
13a 3.90 21.80 22.68 -1.29
15a 3.89 21.94 22.83 -0.31
18a 3.39 22.21 22.99 0.80
21a 3.40 22.00 22.77 -0.68
23a 3.80 21.98 22.85 -0.17
24a 3.56 22.23 23.05 1.22
28a 3.51 22.10 22.90 0.21
30a 3.71 22.09 22.94 0.47
33a 3.33 22.03 22.79 -0.58
35a 3.97 21.70 22.60 -1.89
36a 4.00 22.00 22.92 0.30
37a 3.55 22.15 22.97 0.63
38a 4.15 21.65 22.59 -1.96
42a 3.56 22.02 22.83 -0.28
43a 3.40 22.00 22.77 -0.68
49a 3.56 22.17 22.99 0.79
58a 3.51 22.03 22.83 -0.29
59a 3.13 22.07 22.78 -0.62
60a 3.16 22.20 22.92 0.35
61a 3.40 22.10 22.88 0.03
66a 3.42 22.32 23.11 1.62
67a 3.80 22.10 22.97 0.68
69a 3.93 22.06 22.96 0.61
71a 3.10 22.30 23.01 0.96
72a 3.59 22.28 23.11 1.62
74a 3.95 22.13 23.04 1.14
76a 3.90 22.03 22.92 0.35
78a 0.92 22.46 22.67 -1.40
79a 3.85 21.97 22.85 -0.16
80a 3.70 22.08 22.93 0.38
82a 2.50 22.30 22.87 0.0
83a 3.80 22.10 22.97 0.68
88a 4.08 22.05 22.99 0.79
91a 2.80 21.90 22.53 -2.34
95a 3.96 21.90 22.80 -0.48
96a 3.76 22.01 22.87 0.0
97a 3.87 21.94 22.82 -0.34
99a 3.70 22.00 22.85 -0.19
100a 3.68 22.06 22.90 0.20
101a 4.06 21.94 22.87 0.0
105a 3.20 22.10 22.83 -0.29
106a 3.77 21.94 22.80 -0.50
110a 3.73 22.01 22.86 -0.07
112a 3.70 22.30 23.16 1.94
117a 3.80 22.05 22.92 0.33
124a 4.06 22.00 22.93 0.40
135a 4.26 21.82 22.79 -0.56
139a 3.71 21.36 22.18 -4.73
143a 3.41 22.10 22.88 0.05
145a 4.06 21.70 22.62 -1.75
146a 3.50 22.20 23.01 0.90
151a 3.86 22.25 23.14 1.85
161a 2.90 21.90 22.55 -2.19
162a 3.59 22.11 22.93 0.41
167a 4.10 21.90 22.84 -0.25
169a 3.85 22.10 22.98 0.77
170a 3.80 21.90 22.77 -0.74
171a 2.34 20.92 21.42 -9.95
177a 2.06 22.80 23.28 2.78
179a 4.20 22.00 22.96 0.63
180a 3.20 22.10 22.83 -0.29
184a 4.60 21.69 22.74 -0.94
190a 3.40 22.10 22.88 0.03
191a 3.40 22.10 22.88 0.03
192a 3.40 22.00 22.77 -0.68
195a 3.91 22.00 22.90 0.15
197a 3.75 22.00 22.86 -0.11
198a 2.70 22.01 22.62 -1.73
200a 4.33 21.93 22.92 0.34
Number of results - 75 75 75 -
OUTLIERS - - 3 2 -
AVERAGE - 3.58 22.04 22.87 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.17 0.15 -
MEDIAN 22.03 22.88
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 22.04 22.87 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.18 0.16 -
UoM 0.03 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 -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : QUICK ASH (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
8a 3.80 21.90 22.77 -0.94
21a 3.40 21.93 22.70 -1.34
22a 3.90 21.73 22.61 -1.91
23a 3.80 22.17 23.05 0.83
24a 3.56 21.95 22.76 -0.97
35a 3.97 21.90 22.81 -0.69
36a 4.00 22.00 22.92 0.02
37a 3.55 22.33 23.15 1.51
39a 2.63 22.40 23.01 0.58
41a 3.70 22.00 22.85 -0.43
49a 3.56 22.11 22.93 0.08
50a 3.76 21.98 22.84 -0.47
59a 3.13 22.07 22.78 -0.83
73a 3.79 22.07 22.94 0.16
74a 3.95 22.05 22.96 0.27
77a 3.90 22.10 23.00 0.53
84a 4.52 21.92 22.96 0.28
94a 3.98 22.00 22.91 0.0
98a 3.43 22.12 22.91 0.0
100a 3.68 22.05 22.89 -0.14
101a 4.06 22.00 22.93 0.11
102a 3.40 22.10 22.88 -0.23
105a 3.80 22.10 22.97 0.37
113a 3.75 22.15 23.01 0.63
130a 3.40 21.70 22.46 -2.85
133a 3.95 22.10 23.01 0.60
138a 4.24 22.01 22.98 0.45
140a 3.37 22.08 22.85 -0.40
143a 3.41 22.14 22.92 0.05
145a 4.06 22.20 23.14 1.43
153a 3.64 21.50 22.31 -3.81
160a 3.64 22.30 23.14 1.45
161a 2.90 22.10 22.76 -0.97
162a 3.59 22.10 22.92 0.06
163a 3.80 22.40 23.28 2.35
164a 3.64 22.20 23.04 0.79
169a 3.85 22.10 22.98 0.45
176a 3.80 22.10 22.97 0.37
178a 3.58 21.98 22.80 -0.74
179a 4.20 22.10 23.07 0.98
181a 3.50 22.10 22.90 -0.08
182a 3.60 22.20 23.03 0.73
183a 3.70 22.10 22.95 0.22
184a 4.60 21.80 22.85 -0.40
185a 3.59 22.08 22.90 -0.07
187a 4.10 21.93 22.87 -0.29
188a 3.90 22.50 23.41 3.16
189a 3.60 22.03 22.85 -0.39
190a 3.40 22.00 22.77 -0.88
191a 3.40 22.00 22.77 -0.88
192a 3.40 21.90 22.67 -1.54
198a 2.70 22.14 22.75 -1.01
199a 3.16 22.20 22.92 0.07
Number of results - 53 53 53 -
OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -
AVERAGE - 3.68 22.07 22.91 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.15 0.16 -
MEDIAN 22.09 22.92
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 22.07 22.91 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.16 0.15 -
UoM 0.03 0.03
Page 11 of 22
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00Z-
SCO
RE
LABORATORY ID
QUICK ASH Z-SCORE TREND
Page 12 of 22 COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO VOLATILE MATTER (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 22.44 23.48 -4.09
6a 3.77 24.14 25.09 -0.39
7a 3.08 25.00 25.79 1.24
8a 3.80 24.30 25.26 0.0
9a 4.06 24.63 25.67 0.95
10a 3.20 24.50 25.31 0.13
12a 4.30 23.40 24.45 -1.85
13a 3.90 23.70 24.66 -1.37
15a 3.89 24.08 25.05 -0.46
18a 3.39 24.16 25.01 -0.57
21a 3.40 24.03 24.88 -0.87
22a 3.90 24.24 25.22 -0.07
23a 3.80 24.29 25.25 -0.01
24a 3.56 25.31 26.24 2.28
28a 3.51 24.70 25.60 0.79
30a 3.71 24.14 25.07 -0.43
33a 3.33 24.10 24.93 -0.75
35a 3.97 24.60 25.62 0.83
36a 4.00 23.80 24.79 -1.07
37a 3.55 24.73 25.64 0.88
38a 4.15 23.92 24.96 -0.69
39a 2.63 25.48 26.17 2.10
41a 3.70 24.60 25.55 0.67
42a 3.56 24.15 25.04 -0.49
43a 3.40 24.60 25.47 0.49
49a 3.56 24.15 25.04 -0.49
50a 3.76 24.02 24.96 -0.68
58a 3.51 24.53 25.42 0.38
59a 3.13 24.88 25.68 0.99
60a 3.16 23.89 24.67 -1.35
61a 3.40 24.40 25.26 0.01
66a 3.42 24.54 25.41 0.35
67a 3.80 24.30 25.26 0.0
69a 3.93 24.28 25.27 0.04
71a 3.10 24.40 25.18 -0.17
72a 3.59 24.87 25.80 1.25
73a 3.79 24.41 25.37 0.27
74a 3.95 24.35 25.35 0.22
76a 3.90 23.30 24.25 -2.33
77a 3.90 24.60 25.60 0.79
78a 0.92 26.07 26.31 2.44
79a 3.85 24.06 25.02 -0.53
80a 3.70 24.30 25.23 -0.05
82a 2.50 23.96 24.57 -1.57
83a 3.80 24.40 25.36 0.25
88a 4.08 24.48 25.52 0.61
91a 2.80 24.30 25.00 -0.59
94a 3.98 24.31 25.32 0.14
95a 3.96 23.79 24.77 -1.12
96a 3.76 24.19 25.14 -0.28
97a 3.87 24.45 25.43 0.41
98a 3.43 25.12 26.01 1.74
99a 3.70 24.50 25.44 0.43
100a 3.68 24.52 25.46 0.46
101a 4.06 23.60 24.60 -1.51
102a 3.40 24.90 25.78 1.20
105a 3.20 24.30 25.10 -0.35
106a 3.77 24.46 25.42 0.38
110a 3.73 24.33 25.27 0.04
112a 3.70 24.20 25.13 -0.29
113a 3.75 24.35 25.30 0.10
117a 3.80 24.10 25.05 -0.47
124a 4.06 23.42 24.41 -1.95
130a 3.40 24.40 25.26 0.0
133a 3.95 24.30 25.30 0.10
135a 4.26 24.04 25.11 -0.34
138a 4.24 24.43 25.51 0.59
139a 3.71 24.01 24.94 -0.74
140a 3.37 24.11 24.95 -0.70
143a 3.41 23.89 24.73 -1.20
145a 4.06 24.60 25.64 0.89
146a 3.50 24.10 24.97 -0.65
151a 3.86 23.95 24.91 -0.79
161a 2.90 23.80 24.51 -1.72
162a 3.59 26.14 27.11 4.28
167a 4.10 24.70 25.76 1.15
169a 3.85 28.30 29.43 9.63
170a 3.80 24.40 25.36 0.25
179a 4.20 23.70 24.74 -1.19
180a 3.20 24.50 25.31 0.13
181a 3.50 25.10 26.01 1.74
182a 3.60 25.50 26.45 2.76
183a 3.70 24.60 25.55 0.67
184a 4.60 24.00 25.16 -0.23
187a 4.10 24.58 25.63 0.85
188a 3.90 24.53 25.52 0.61
189a 3.60 23.96 24.85 -0.92
190a 3.40 17.70 18.32 -15.98
191a 3.40 17.60 18.22 -16.22
192a 3.40 17.80 18.43 -15.74
195a 3.91 24.24 25.23 -0.07
197a 3.75 23.78 24.71 -1.27
198a 2.70 24.70 25.39 0.30
199a 3.16 25.00 25.82 1.29
200a 4.33 23.48 24.54 -1.64
NUMBER OF RESULTS - 95 95 95 -
OUTLIERS - - 7 6 -
AVERAGE - 3.64 24.32 25.26 -
STD DEVIATION - 0.43 0.43 -
MEDIAN 24.30 25.26
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 24.32 25.25 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.47 0.47 -
UoM - - 0.06 0.06
Page 13 of 22
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
191a
190a
192a
1a 76a
124a
12a
161a
200a
82a
101a
13a
60a
197a
143a
179a
95a
36a
189a
21a
151a
33a
139a
140a
38a
50a
146a
91a
18a
79a
42a
49a
117a
15a
30a
6a 105a
135a
112a
96a
184a
71a
22a
195a
80a
23a
61a
130a
8a 67a
110a
69a
113a
133a
10a
180a
94a
74a
83a
170a
73a
198a
66a
106a
58a
97a
99a
100a
43a
138a
188a
88a
41a
183a
77a
28a
35a
187a
37a
145a
9a 59a
167a
102a
7a 72a
199a
181a
98a
39a
24a
78a
182a
162a
169aZ-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
VOLATILE MATTER Z-SCORE TREND
Page 14 of 22 COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
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 4.44 23.93 25.04 0.54
6a 3.77 23.84 24.77 -0.51
7a 3.08 0.39 0.40 -95.73
8a 3.80 24.03 24.98 0.29
9a 4.06 23.85 24.86 -0.18
10a 3.20 24.08 24.88 -0.11
12a 4.30 23.86 24.93 0.11
18a 3.39 23.99 24.83 -0.28
21a 3.40 24.00 24.84 -0.23
23a 3.80 23.92 24.86 -0.17
24a 3.56 24.00 24.89 -0.07
28a 3.51 24.20 25.08 0.69
30a 3.71 24.13 25.06 0.61
33a 3.33 24.02 24.85 -0.22
35a 3.97 23.75 24.73 -0.67
36a 4.00 23.58 24.56 -1.34
37a 3.55 23.65 24.52 -1.50
38a 4.15 24.46 25.52 2.40
39a 2.63 23.56 24.20 -2.77
42a 3.56 24.03 24.92 0.05
43a 3.40 24.80 25.67 3.00
49a 3.56 23.98 24.87 -0.15
50a 3.76 24.20 25.15 0.94
58a 3.51 23.94 24.81 -0.37
60a 3.16 24.04 24.82 -0.31
61a 3.40 24.25 25.10 0.78
66a 3.42 24.07 24.92 0.07
67a 3.80 23.89 24.83 -0.28
71a 3.10 23.69 24.45 -1.78
72a 3.59 24.96 25.89 3.85
73a 3.79 23.75 24.69 -0.85
74a 3.95 23.96 24.95 0.16
76a 3.90 24.08 25.06 0.60
77a 3.90 24.03 25.01 0.39
79a 3.85 23.85 24.80 -0.39
80a 3.70 23.71 24.62 -1.11
82a 2.50 24.53 25.16 0.99
83a 3.80 24.00 24.95 0.17
84a 4.52 23.75 24.87 -0.12
88a 4.08 23.87 24.89 -0.07
91a 2.80 24.19 24.89 -0.07
94a 3.98 23.86 24.85 -0.22
95a 3.96 24.07 25.06 0.62
96a 3.76 24.00 24.94 0.13
98a 3.43 24.35 25.21 1.21
99a 3.70 23.93 24.85 -0.21
100a 3.68 24.13 25.05 0.56
101a 4.06 23.97 24.98 0.31
102a 3.40 24.69 25.56 2.56
105a 3.80 24.16 25.11 0.82
106a 3.77 23.92 24.86 -0.18
110a 3.73 23.91 24.84 -0.27
112a 3.70 23.90 24.82 -0.34
117a 3.80 24.05 25.00 0.37
124a 4.06 24.17 25.19 1.13
130a 3.40 23.94 24.78 -0.48
133a 3.95 23.65 24.62 -1.10
135a 4.26 23.82 24.88 -0.10
140a 3.37 24.08 24.92 0.06
143a 3.41 23.96 24.81 -0.38
145a 4.06 24.32 25.35 1.74
151a 3.86 23.83 24.79 -0.46
153a 3.64 23.95 24.85 -0.19
160a 3.64 24.05 24.96 0.21
161a 2.90 23.95 24.67 -0.93
162a 3.59 24.61 25.53 2.43
163a 3.80 24.09 25.04 0.54
164a 3.64 24.19 25.10 0.78
167a 4.10 24.20 25.23 1.29
169a 3.85 23.84 24.79 -0.43
170a 3.20 23.97 24.76 -0.55
171a 2.34 24.61 25.20 1.15
172a 4.27 20.20 21.10 -14.86
176a 3.80 24.06 25.01 0.41
177a 2.06 23.70 24.20 -2.76
179a 4.20 23.86 24.91 0.01
180a 3.20 23.51 24.29 -2.41
181a 3.50 24.16 25.04 0.52
182a 3.60 23.83 24.72 -0.72
183a 3.70 24.03 24.95 0.19
184a 4.60 23.51 24.64 -1.02
187a 4.10 23.65 24.66 -0.95
188a 3.90 23.64 24.60 -1.19
189a 3.60 24.01 24.91 0.01
190a 3.40 23.91 24.75 -0.60
191a 3.40 23.89 24.73 -0.68
192a 3.40 23.93 24.77 -0.52
195a 3.91 23.83 24.80 -0.41
197a 3.75 23.90 24.83 -0.29
198a 2.70 24.12 24.79 -0.45
199a 3.16 24.59 25.39 1.91
200a 4.33 23.98 25.07 0.63
NUMBER OF RESULTS - 92 92 92 -
OUTLIERS - - 3 3 -
AVERAGE - 3.65 24.00 24.90 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.25 0.26 -
MEDIAN 23.97 24.88
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 23.99 24.90 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.27 0.27 -
UoM - - 0.04 0.04 -
Page 15 of 22
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
7a 172a
39a
177a
180a
71a
37a
36a
188a
80a
133a
184a
187a
161a
73a
182a
191a
35a
190a
170a
192a
6a 130a
151a
198a
169a
195a
79a
143a
58a
112a
60a
197a
18a
67a
110a
21a
33a
94a
99a
153a
106a
9a 23a
49a
84a
10a
135a
88a
24a
91a
179a
189a
42a
140a
66a
12a
96a
74a
83a
183a
160a
8a 101a
117a
77a
176a
181a
163a
1a 100a
76a
30a
95a
200a
28a
61a
164a
105a
50a
82a
124a
171a
98a
167a
145a
199a
38a
162a
102a
43a
72aZ-
SCO
RE
LABORATORY ID
CALORIFIC VALUE Z-SCORE TREND
Page 16 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL SULPHUR (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 0.92 0.96 0.28
6a 3.77 0.90 0.94 -0.18
9a 4.06 0.91 0.95 0.0
10a 3.20 0.86 0.89 -0.97
12a 4.30 0.87 0.91 -0.62
13a 3.90 0.79 0.82 -2.09
15a 3.89 0.91 0.95 0.0
18a 3.39 0.93 0.96 0.28
21a 3.40 0.89 0.92 -0.42
23a 3.80 0.95 0.99 0.70
24a 3.56 0.94 0.97 0.48
28a 3.51 0.83 0.86 -1.45
30a 3.71 0.89 0.92 -0.42
35a 3.97 0.93 0.97 0.38
36a 4.00 0.87 0.91 -0.67
37a 3.55 0.92 0.95 0.00
38a 4.15 1.37 1.43 8.13
39a 2.63 0.91 0.93 -0.19
42a 3.56 0.92 0.95 0.00
43a 3.40 1.00 1.04 1.50
49a 3.56 0.91 0.94 -0.04
50a 3.76 0.96 1.00 0.86
58a 3.51 0.92 0.95 0.12
60a 3.16 0.92 0.95 0.07
61a 3.40 0.94 0.97 0.45
69a 3.93 0.91 0.95 0.0
71a 3.10 0.92 0.95 0.1
72a 3.59 0.95 0.99 0.66
74a 3.95 1.00 1.04 1.60
76a 3.90 0.91 0.95 0.0
78a 0.92 0.92 0.93 -0.30
79a 3.85 0.93 0.97 0.36
80a 3.70 0.86 0.89 -0.89
83a 3.80 0.90 0.94 -0.18
88a 4.08 0.88 0.92 -0.48
91a 2.80 0.92 0.95 0.0
95a 3.96 0.88 0.92 -0.50
97a 3.87 1.00 1.04 1.58
99a 3.70 0.86 0.89 -0.89
101a 4.06 0.87 0.91 -0.66
106a 3.77 0.97 1.01 1.04
110a 3.73 0.95 0.99 0.68
112a 3.70 0.92 0.96 0.16
113a 3.75 0.91 0.95 0.0
130a 3.40 0.89 0.92 -0.42
133a 3.95 0.91 0.95 0.0
135a 4.26 0.95 0.99 0.78
138a 4.24 1.09 1.14 3.23
139a 3.71 0.93 0.97 0.33
140a 3.37 0.89 0.92 -0.42
143a 3.41 0.87 0.90 -0.76
145a 4.06 0.91 0.95 0.00
146a 3.50 0.92 0.95 0.00
151a 3.86 0.91 0.95 0.00
161a 2.90 0.99 1.02 1.24
162a 3.59 0.94 0.98 0.49
167a 4.10 0.94 0.98 0.57
169a 3.85 0.93 0.97 0.36
172a 4.27 0.92 0.96 0.25
177a 2.06 1.09 1.11 2.81
179a 4.20 0.92 0.96 0.24
180a 3.20 0.93 0.96 0.25
181a 3.50 0.83 0.86 -1.45
183a 3.70 0.87 0.90 -0.72
184a 4.60 0.98 1.03 1.37
188a 3.90 0.93 0.97 0.36
189a 3.60 0.85 0.88 -1.08
190a 3.40 0.77 0.80 -2.51
191a 3.40 0.77 0.80 -2.51
192a 3.40 0.77 0.80 -2.51
198a 2.70 0.86 0.88 -1.05
199a 3.16 0.93 0.96 0.24
200a 4.33 0.91 0.95 0.00
NUMBER OF RESULTS 73 73 73 -
OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -
AVERAGE - 3.63 0.91 0.95
MEDIAN - 0.92 0.95
STD DEVIATION - - 0.06 0.06
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 0.91 0.95 -
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.06 0.06 -
UoM - - 0.01 0.01
Page 17 of 22
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
190a
191a
192a
13a
181a
28a
189a
198a
10a
80a
99a
143a
183a
36a
101a
12a
95a
88a
140a
30a
21a
130a
78a
39a
6a 83a
49a
113a
37a
42a
145a
146a
151a
200a
91a
15a
76a
69a
133a
9a 71a
60a
58a
112a
179a
199a
180a
172a
18a
1a 139a
79a
169a
188a
35a
61a
24a
162a
167a
72a
110a
23a
135a
50a
106a
161a
184a
43a
97a
74a
177a
138a
38a
Z-SC
OR
E
LABORATORY ID
TOTAL SULPHUR Z-SCORE TREND
Page 18 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 0.032 0.033 -0.25
7a 3.08 0.040 0.041 1.23
9a 4.06 0.093 0.096 11.73
13a 3.90 0.033 0.034 -0.09
18a 3.39 0.042 0.043 1.65
21a 3.40 0.036 0.037 0.47
23a 3.80 0.027 0.028 -1.31
38a 4.15 0.083 0.086 9.76
67a 3.80 0.029 0.030 -0.89
69a 3.93 0.032 0.033 -0.29
74a 3.95 0.035 0.036 0.31
78a 0.92 0.036 0.036 0.29
91a 2.80 0.022 0.023 -2.32
112a 3.70 0.038 0.039 0.88
113a 3.75 0.038 0.039 0.89
114a 3.64 0.031 0.032 -0.50
138a 4.24 0.039 0.041 1.13
139a 3.71 0.028 0.029 -1.09
146a 3.50 0.034 0.035 0.00
169a 3.85 0.028 0.029 -1.09
172a 4.27 0.038 0.040 0.93
177a 2.06 0.034 0.035 0.00
Number of results - 22 22 22 -
OUTLIERS - - 2 2 -
AVERAGE - 3.56 0.034 0.035 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.005 0.005 -
MEDIAN - 0.034 0.035
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 0.034 0.035
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.005 0.006
UoM - - 0.001 0.002
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
91a 23a 139a 169a 67a 114a 69a 1a 13a 146a 177a 78a 74a 21a 112a 113a 172a 138a 7a 18a 38a 9a
Z-SC
OR
ES
LAB ID
PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL Z-SCORES
Page 19 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL CARBON (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 60.47 63.28 -0.17
9a 4.06 60.94 63.52 0.00
12a** 4.30 59.15 61.81 -1.23
18a 3.39 60.77 62.90 -0.44
21a 3.40 61.80 63.98 0.33
42a 3.56 60.73 62.97 -0.39
88a** 4.08 62.20 64.85 0.96
99a 3.70 60.50 62.82 -0.50
145a** 4.06 63.95 66.66 2.27
177a** 2.06 61.10 62.39 -0.82
Number of results - 10 10 10 -
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 3.71 61.16 63.52 -
MEDIAN - - 60.86 63.13 -
STD DEVIATION - - 1.27 1.38 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 61.06 63.34
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 1.04 1.30
UoM - - 0.37 0.51
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - - 64.52 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 62.52 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : HYDROGEN (%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 3.39 3.55 0.20
9a 4.06 3.24 3.38 -0.50
12a 4.30 3.37 3.52 0.09
18a 3.39 3.23 3.34 -0.64
21a** 3.40 3.12 3.23 -1.11
36a** 4.00 3.00 3.13 -1.53
42a 3.56 3.52 3.65 0.62
88a 4.08 3.44 3.59 0.35
99a 3.70 3.50 3.63 0.55
177a** 2.06 3.90 3.98 1.98
Number of results 10 10 10
OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -
AVERAGE - 3.70 3.37 3.50 -
MEDIAN - 3.38 3.53 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.25 0.24 -
ROBUST AVERAGE - - 3.35 3.49
ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.24 0.25
UoM - - 0.09 0.10
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - 3.75 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 3.25 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : NITROGEN(%)
LAB ID
MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE
Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 1.43 1.50 0.84
9a** 4.06 2.16 2.25 13.96
18a 3.39 1.41 1.46 0.20
42a 3.56 1.45 1.50 0.96
88a 4.08 1.31 1.37 -1.43
99a 3.70 1.42 1.47 0.46
177a 2.06 1.36 1.39 -1.03
Number of results 7 7 7 -
OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -
AVERAGE - 3.61 1.40 1.45 -
MEDIAN - 1.42 1.47 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.05 0.06 -
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT - - - 1.60 -
LOWER LIMIT - - - 1.30 -
Page 20 of 22
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASH FUSION TEMPERATURES (oC)
LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW
1a 1430 1450 1465 1495
9a 1460 1475 1490 1500
10a 1420 1450 1480 1500
18a 1375 1395 1420 1460
21a 1415 1435 1470 1500
23a 1371 1409 1460 1498
28a 1420 1464 1482 1500
38a** 1500 1500 1500 1500
42a 1370 1390 1410 1430
60a 1371 1414 1459 1500
80a 1370 1410 1450 1480
95a 1480 1500 1500 1500
151a 1370 1430 1490 1500
Number of results 13 13 13 13
Outliers 0 0 0 5
AVERAGE 1412 1440 1467 1500
MEDIAN 1415 1435 1470 1500
STDEV 46 37 28 0
REPRODUCIBILITY
UPPER LIMIT 1492 1500 1500 1500
LOWER LIMIT 1332 1380 1407 1420
Z-SCORES
LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW
1a 0.40 0.27 -0.08 -3.00
9a 1.06 0.94 0.80 0.00
10a 0.18 0.27 0.45 0.00
18a -0.80 -1.22 -1.68 -3.00
21a 0.07 -0.14 0.09 0.00
23a -0.89 -0.84 -0.26 -3.00
28a 0.18 0.65 0.52 0.00
38a 1.93 1.62 1.16 0.00
42a -0.91 -1.36 -2.04 -3.00
60a -0.91 -1.36 -2.04 0.00
80a -0.89 -0.71 -0.31 -3.00
95a -0.91 -0.82 -0.62 0.00
151a 1.49 1.62 1.16 0.00
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : CHLORINE (ppm)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
12a 4.30 82 86 -
177a 2.06 29 29 -
Number of results - 2 2 2 -
OUTLIERS - - - - -
AVERAGE - 3.18 55 57 -
STD DEVIATION - - 38 40 -
MEDIAN - - 55 57 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : FLUORINE (ppm)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
12a 4.30 106 111 -
177a 2.06 183 187 -
Number of results - 2 2 2 -
OUTLIERS - - - - -
AVERAGE - 3.18 145 149 -
STD DEVIATION - - 54 54 -
MEDIAN - - 145 149 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM ASH (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4.44 21.75 22.76 -
172a 4.27 22.31 23.31 -
Number of results - 2 2 2 -
OUTLIERS - - - - -
AVERAGE - 4.36 22.03 23.03 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0.40 0.39 -
MEDIAN - - 22.03 23.03 -
COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -MARCH 2020
ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM VOLS (%)
LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)
1a 4,44 24,33 25,46 -
172a 4,27 23,51 24,56 -
Number of results - 2 2 2 -
OUTLIERS - - - - -
AVERAGE - 4,36 23,92 25,01 -
STD DEVIATION - - 0,58 0,64 -
MEDIAN - - 23,92 25,01 -
Page 21 of 22
CONCLUSION
1. The overall ISO Ash determination trend is evenly distributed. The average, robust average and median are similar. One outlier was detected.
2. The overall ISO volatile determination trend is evenly distributed. Six outliers were detected. The outliers
seemed to be due to a combination of analytical and calculation errors.
3. Calorific value graph is negatively biased. Three outliers were detected. One is a gross error and the rest
seemed to be due to analytical errors.
4. The z-score trend for sulphur is positively biased. The median, robust average and mean are the same at
0.95%. One outlier was detected by Grubbs estimate.
5. Two outliers were detected on phosphorous analysis. 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 analysis was generally well done, with one outlier on Nitrogen
7. AFT: Five outliers were detected on the Flow temperature
8. Assessment criterion for homogeneity check
8.1 Comparison of the between sample standard deviation with the standard deviation for proficiency
testing Standard deviation for ISO ash =0.17 Check value = 0.28 x 0.3 = 0.051
Between sample standard deviation = 0.025 The between standard deviation is less than the check value for the criterion assessment for
homogeneity, therefore the proficiency test samples were homogeneous.
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