Conference Programme
Programme is subject to change
Download speaker abstracts here
Sunday, 12 March
17:30 - 19:30 Welcome Drinks Reception, Hilton London Tower Bridge
Day One - Monday, 13 March
09:00 - 10:15 Session 1: Introduction, Keynote Speech, and the Work of LBMA
Moderator: Neil Harby, Chief Technical Officer, LBMA
Chief Executive’s Welcome and Remarks
Ruth Crowell, Chief Executive, LBMA
The LBMA Good Delivery System – Update
Varsha Peiris, Head of Good Delivery, LBMA
Keynote Speech: A Lifecycle Approach to Safety in Refineries - From Design to Continuous Improvement
Leo Simpson, Metalor USA
10:15 - 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 - 12:20 Session 2: Safety
Moderator: Michael W. Hinds, Ph.D., MHinds Analytical Consulting Inc.
Evaluation of Various Hazards Associated with Refining of Gold
Ankur Goyal, MMTC PAMP
Elements of a Successful Safety and Health Program in Gold and Silver Refining
Stewart Hogan, Asahi Refining Inc.
Environment, Health and Safety Highlights and Challenges in PGM Refining
Stephen James, Johnson Matthey
Risk Assessment and Prevention of Major Accidents
Alessandro Ruffoni, Argor-Heraeus SA
12:20 - 13:20 Lunch Break
13:20 - 14:55 Session 3: Refining
Moderator: Michael B. Mooiman, Franklin University and Argo Associates
Precious Metal Reclamation (Assaying and Refining)
Chris Walne, Pressman Mastermelt
Replacing Melting Processes with Mechanical Operations for Producing Silver Bars: A Lower Energy and Safer Alternative
Enrico Cappellini and Giovanni Faoro, IKOI S.p.A
Simone Frigerio and Stefano Ghiringhelli, Argor-Heraeus
Monitoring Percentage Sampling Variance for Improvement Purposes
Elton Cupido, Rand Refinery PTY Ltd
ESG in a Precious Metal Refinery: Challenges and Examples
Giovanni Calabria, MKS PAMP SA
14:55 - 15:25 Coffee Break
15:25 - 17:00 Session 4: Assaying 1
Moderator: Barbara Badiello, MKS PAMP SA
Sampling Precious Metals in the Liquid and Solid States
Michael B. Mooiman, Franklin University and Argo Associates
Ultra-Fast Inclusion Analysis with the ARL iSpark Optical Emission Spectrometer: A New Tool for Quality Control of Precious Metals
Jean-Marc Böhlen, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Evolution of Data Analytics and Application to the Assay Laboratory
Madeleine Theron, Rand Refinery PTY Ltd
Geoforensic Passport: Applications
Barbara Beck, University of Lausanne
Patrice Kiener, InModelia
17:00 Close Of Day One
18:30 Conference Dinner at Skylon Restaurant
Day Two - Tuesday, 14 March
09:00 - 09:45 Session 5: Featured Paper Presentation
Moderator: Hitoshi Kosai, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
Method Validation
Jonathan J. Jodry, Metalor Industries SA & Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
09:45 - 11:00 Session 6: Vault Issues
Moderator: Hannah Coakley, Precious Metals Coordinator, LBMA
Gold Bar Security Features
Neil Harby, Chief Technical Officer, LBMA
Vault Training in the London Market
Tony Evanson, GDL Consultant, LBMA
Review of Weighing Technology for Gold 400 tr.oz. Bars
Michael W. Hinds, Ph.D., MHinds Analytical Consulting Inc.
11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break
12:45 - 13:45 Lunch Break
11:30 – 12:45 Session 7: Assaying 2
Moderator: Daniela Manara, Metalor Technologies
The Effect of Vortex Mixing on High Grade Silver Analysis
Alessia Sironi, Luca Maerna, and Pedro Pianezzi, Valcambi SA
Improving the Sensitivity, Precision and Accuracy of ICP-OES Analyses to Fulfil Standardisation Regulations
Dirk Wuestkamp, Spectro Analytical Instruments
Precise Quantification of Rh by Standard Bracketing Measurement in ICP-OES
Masakatsu Amano, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
13:45 - 15:05 Session 8: Assaying 3
Moderator: Madeleine Theron, Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd
Automation in Sampling and Analysis at Umicore Precious Metals Refining
Dr. Maarten Moens, Umicore PMR
Introduction of a High-Speed Multispot-Laser Ablation-ICP-MS
Yasuo Kuroki, Thermo Fisher Scientific. K.K.
Application of LA-ICP-MS to the Analysis of Trace Elements in Precious Metals
Takuya Obi, Yutaka Ohtani, and Hiroshi Sawai, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
15:05 - 15:40 Coffee Break
15:40 - 16:55 Session 9: Assaying 4
Moderator: Alessandro Ruffoni, Argor-Heraeus SA
Potentiometric Titration According to ISO 11427
Stefan Zorn, Agosi
Use and Handling of Uncertainties in Determining Metal Purity by Difference
Michael W. Hinds, Ph.D., MHinds Analytical Consulting Inc.
Effects of Iridium on the Gold Assay by the Cupellation Method
Farahnaz Rejali, Regional Research Group of Isfahan, Standard Research Institute
16:55 - 17:25 Session 10: Summary and Q&A
Moderator: Neil Harby, Chief Technical Officer, LBMA
Panel
Alessandro Ruffoni, Argor-Heraeus SA
Barbara Badiello, PAMP SA
Daniela Manara, Metalor Technologies
Hitoshi Kosai, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyu K.K.
Madeleine Theron, Rand Refinery (Pty) Ltd
17:25 Close Of Conference
17:30 Informal gathering at Mud Lark Pub
Wednesday, 15 March
Optional Add-ons
08:30 - 15:00 Bureau Veritas Commodities Tour
09:00 - 12:00 Safety Workshop for Refineries and Laboratories
Introduction and Observations on Safety Practices in the Industry
Michael W. Hinds, Ph.D., MHinds Analytical Consulting Inc.
Neil Harby, LBMA
Safety in the Design of Our New Laboratory Facility
Michael Koch, Perth Mint Refinery
Managing the Risk of PGM Fires
Stephen James, Johnson Matthey
Hiding In Plain Sight...
Leo Simpson, Metalor USA
Proactive Health & Safety; Engaging Your Workforce
Rob Sargent and Charles Daoust, Royal Canadian Mint
Safety Culture Transformation
Terance Nkosi, Rand Refinery
Concluding Remarks and General Discussion
Michael W. Hinds, Ph.D., MHinds Analytical Consulting Inc.
Neil Harby, LBMA