Quality Control and Research

Quality control and research are
two highly technical subjects that play
a most important role in the mining,
milling and marketing of Cassiar
asbestos fibre.

Quality control starts at the mine
where the ore is ‘‘typed”’ by the mine
geologist before it is mined and deliv-
ered to the mill for processing. At the
mill the ore is carefully treated so as to
ensure consistency of fibre quality.
Operational controls are introduced as
required to deal with fluctuations in ore
type and grade in order to achieve the
required specifications for particular
fibre grades.

1. The results of asbestos fibre milling
technology are continuously assessed in
Cassiar’s quality control Laboratory.

2. Quality control and research ensure
the consistency of asbestos quality and
suggest new applications for asbestos
fibre.

3. Quality control starts at the mine
where asbestos ore is ‘typed’ by the
mine’s geologist and quality control

personnel.

4. The results obtained by Cassiar’s quality
control programs are continually measured
against world-wide fibre standards.

5. To further quality control and research
Cassiar has, since 1962, maintained a
continuous association with the Ontario
Research Foundation.

6. Assessment techniques employed by
the Ontario Research Foundation have
assisted Cassiar in providing its customers
with the highest quality of asbestos-fibre
obtainable.

The results of milling technology
are continuously assessed in Cassiar’s
Quality Control Laboratory. These re-
sults are measured against objective
fibre shipping standards by a series of
laboratory tests common to the asbestos
industry.

Dry screen analyses of the
Quebec standard and the Tyler ro-tap
tests are complemented by the wet
classification procedures of the
Bauer-McNett and Turner-Newall
classifiers and the Turner-Newall elut-
riator. These tests measure fibre
length distribution in the sample as
does the Suter-Webb comb test for
textile grade fibre. The degree of
openness of the fibre is measured by
the rapid surface area test. Other tests
include the measurement of water filt-
ration through asbestos fibre, rock and
crudy fibre content and fibre strength
evaluation.

An on-going evaluation of milling
methods, ore grade and exploration
core samples is obtained by using
Cassiar’s modern test mill.

In addition to Cassiar’s own
laboratory services the Company has
maintained a continuous association
with the Ontario Research Foundation
since 1962.

The unique combination of routine
and new techniques employed by the
Ontario Research Foundation has
helped Cassiar deal with problems en-
countered by operating personnel at
the mill; and has assisted Cassiar in
providing their customers with high
quality asbestos and technical service.

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