gold fire assay detailed procedure Chalk amp; Cork
The method of choice for gold analysis through time has been fire assay. The basic procedure for fire assay involves mixing an aliquot of powdered sample (10g, 15g, 30g, or 50g are the common sizes used) with soda ash (sodium carbonate), borax (sodium borate), litharge (PbO), flour (baking flour used to add carbon as a reductant), silica, and possible nitre (potassium nitrate).