Quality Assurance
Acme Analytical Laboratories has dedicated itself to providing a high quality service to the mining and exploration industry.
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND ISO REGISTRATION
Foreseeing the need for a globally recognized mark of quality in 1994, Acme began adapting its Quality Management System to an ISO 9000 model. Acme implemented a quality system compliant with the International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001 Model for Quality Assurance and ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. On November 13, 1996, Acme became the first commercial geochemical analysis and assaying lab in North America to be registered under ISO 9001. The laboratory has maintained its registration in good standing since then. Vancouver expanded the scope of its registration to include the Smithers preparation facility in June of 2009, Yellowknife in April 2010 and Whitehorse in May 2010.
In 2005 the Santiago, Chile laboratories received ISO 9001:2000 registration with the preparation facilities in Mendoza, Argentina and Georgetown, Guyana following in 2006 and Acme’s Lima, Peru facility in 2009. In July 2010 Chile’s new Copiapo facility has been added to the Sanitago registration followed later that fall by the Goiania Brasil, Medellin Colombia and Dominican Republic facilities. In July of 2011 both the Itiaituba and Verzea Grande Brasil preparation facilities received their ISO 9001 registration.
In February 2013 the Ankara Turkey facility received ISO 9001 registration from Nissert.
In October 2011 and November 2012 the Vancouver laboratory and Santiago laboratory respectively received formal approval of their ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditations from Standards Council of Canada for the tests listed in the approved scopes of accreditation (see link below). Both labs are actively working to add methods to these scopes.
Adding to Acme’s Integrated Management Systems in May 2011 the Santiago facility achieved OHSAS 18001 registration helping to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for its team.
Acme has for many years regularly participated in the CANMET and Geostats round robin proficiency tests. Acme is recognized as a participant in the CALA Proficiency Testing Program and is registered by the BC Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection under the Environmental Data Quality Assurance (EDQA) Regulation.
All laboratories fall under the Quality Management Scope helping to ensure the same practices and procedures are followed throughout the organization.
QUALITY CONTROL IN TESTING
Samples submitted are analyzed with the strictest quality control. Blanks (analytical and method), duplicates and standard reference materials inserted in the sequences of client samples provide a measure of background noise, accuracy and precision. QA/QC protocol incorporates a granite or quartz sample-prep blank(s) carried through all stages of preparation and analysis as the first sample(s) in the job. Typically an analytical batch will be comprised of 34-36 client samples, a pulp duplicate to monitor analytical precision, a -10 mesh reject duplicate to monitor sub-sampling variation (rock and drill core), a reagent blank to measure background and an aliquot of Certified Reference Material (CRM) or Inhouse Reference Material to monitor accuracy. In the absence of suitable CRMs Inhouse Reference Materials are prepared and certified against internationally certified reference materials such as CANMET and USGS standards where possible and will be externally verified at a minimum of 3 other commercial laboratories. Using these inserted quality control samples each analytical batch and complete job is rigorously reviewed and validated prior to release.
Acme has always prided itself on providing the highest level of quality control data to its clients. Recent implementation of Acme new laboratory information management system (LIMS) and AcmeAccess provides clients with even greater access to quality control data.
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 ACCREDITATION
Vancouver SCC Scope of Accreditation
Santiago SCC Scope of Accreditation
ISO 9001 REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES (PDF)
Vancouver, Smithers, Yellowknife and Whitehorse BSI Registration Certificate
Sanitago ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Ankara ISO9001 Certificate
Guyana ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Argentina ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Peru ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificate
Goiania Brasil ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificate
Medellin Colombia ISO 9001 iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Dominican Republic ISO 9001iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Copiapo Chile ISO 9001iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Itaituba Brasil ISO 9001iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Varzea Grande Brasil ISO 9001iQNet and IRAM Certificates
Ecuador Affiliate Lab Luis Aucay Cabrera y Asociados Cia. Ltda. IRAM Certificate
OHSAS 18001 REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES (PDF)
Source: http://acmelab.com/services/quality-control/
- To provide general support in the pre-processing of samples and perform certain analysis
- General lab support including sort and distribute, pre-processing of samples, weighing and analysis.
- Provide professional Human Resources advice to a dedicated client group within the Food, DNA/Forensics and Corporate Services lines of business
- Provide full cycle recruitment services/guidance to management and staff as well as onboarding and off boarding of employees
Responsible for Inorganics Sample Preparation (soil and water) and relatively straightforward laboratory testing.
Reporting to the Laboratory Manager and under the general guidance of the Sample Prep Supervisor and/or Shift Lead Hand, the Sample Preparation Technician performs duties related to the preparation of client samples for analysis.
Reporting to the Geochemistry Manager and under the supervision of the Assistant Manager and/or Shift Supervisor, the Geochem Laboratory Technician will perform duties related to processing and analysis of client samples in the Geochemistry department.
Reporting to the Director of Technical Services, the Quality Assistant will perform duties related to the administration of the Upstream Minerals (UM) Quality program and work closely with the UM Quality Health and Safety team.
Reporting to the Chief Assayer, the Metallurgical Assayer will perform duties relating to the analysis of all samples and test products.
Responsible for receiving environmental samples from clients and couriers, unpacking, inspecting and labeling samples.
- Conduct analysis of petroleum samples, compiling results and being responsible for following the standard operating procedures and controls
- Preparation of samples for inspection, and perform other required lab analysis such as SQC and proficiency program samples
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Oil & Petroleum Field Inspector will perform the inspection and certification of products at on-site locations; perform minor lab analytical tests, and will assist the Operations Manager with client communication of operational details, results, and observations.