// STEWART GROUP GLOSSARY

Please select from the below sections:

Acid Rock

This is a simple and fast procedure for the determination of the balance between acid producing and acid consuming components of mine waste.

Atomic Absorption

Stewart Group has Atomic Absorption Units that are particularly useful for measuring low levels of elements in all metallurgical materials.

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Bills of Lading

The bill of lading acts as a receipt for the goods taken on board the vessel and provides information as to the nature, quantity and description of those goods. It is evidence of a contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier wherein the carrier has agreed to transport the goods by sea from one place to another. It gives title to the goods and means that it can be given to the carrier in exchange for possession of the goods. Bills of Lading are normally issued in duplicate or triplicate. Traditionally, one original is issued to the shipper, a second kept by the Master and the third retained by the ship owner. However, it has become customary for all originals to be handed to the shipper in order to reduce the risk of one of the originals falling into the wrong hands, as previously advised an original B/L gives title to the goods. Once an original B/L has been surrendered and the goods have been obtained, any remaining B/Ls become void and useless.

Bottle Roll

This is a laboratory scale test used to accelerate the reaction of a cyanide solution on a finely ground powder mainly for Gold analysis.

Bunker Survey

Any survey to establish the quantity, and in some instances the quality of the oil, fuel and fresh water remaining on board a vessel.

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Calibration of Weighing Equipment

The standard of static weighing facilities can vary considerably depending on such factors as the location, maintenance level and general condition of the facility. This survey will ensure that a detailed report is produced to reflect conditions at the time of usage and that every precaution had been taken to produce an accurate weight. We insist that recognized test weights be utilized and that documentation verifying the last official calibration of the facility be made available for inspection.

Charter Party

This is the agreement between the owner of a vessel and the party who chartered it either for a specific period of time ‘time charter’ or to perform a series of voyages ‘voyage charter’. In a time charter the ship owner pays all the shipping costs such as the crew, provisions and bunkering (fuel and water) but the port and cargo handling charges are a matter of negotiation. The charterer pays for the carriage of the goods; ‘freight’ which is generally based on the quantity of goods shipped on a tonnage rate per ton or a lump sum can be pre-agreed. If the charterer loads less than the minimum quantity contemplated in the agreement he will be liable for a ‘dead freight’, a sum calculated on the shortage of quantity loaded to compensate the ship-owners for sailing part empty.”

CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)

A CIF contract is one in which the seller agrees to sell goods to his buyer at a price which includes not only the price of the goods, but also the cost of insuring and transporting those goods from origin to destination. Once the goods are aboard the vessel and the seller has tendered appropriate shipping documentation (Bill of Lading, Policy of Insurance & commercial invoice) he has fulfilled his part of the contract and is entitled to payment from the buyer. The seller has no responsibility for the goods even if they are lost or damaged during the voyage. However the buyer can claim against the carrier or against the cargo insurers. Once shipped, the seller is generally under obligation to ‘appropriate’ the goods to the contract (give notice to the buyer that the goods are on a specific vessel).”

Condition Survey

This survey will ensure that the vessel, barge or container that you intend to use fulfils its technical and maritime requirements and is fit for purpose.

Crucible Swelling Number (CSN)

This is one of the most common, simple caking tests. Finely crushed coal is heated rapidly in a crucible and the coke button obtained is compared with a series of standard profiles to give a number, which is the crucible swelling number. Values range from 0 (no caking characteristics at all) to 9 then 9+ (superior coking properties). The results obtained in the test can be affected by oxidation, size consists and moisture of the sample and care should be taken in interpretation of any results. In the US known as Free Swelling Index.

Cyanydation

A fine powder is mixed with a Cyanide solution, agitated, then filtered, de-aerated the then the solution collected with Zinc dust or Activated Carbon then treated to form Dore.

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Draft Surveying/Barge Gauging

One of the most well established methods of calculating the weight of cargo. Stewart Group has many years experience and a wide range of technical resources to draw upon to ensure that clients receive a precise, high quality service. Similarly, our Barge Gauging Services determine the quantity of cargo loaded or discharged from river barges.

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Fire Assay

Traditional Fire Assay methods include the use of the most modern electric fusion and cupellation furnaces. This means that Gold, Silver and any of the Platinum Group Metals can be effectively separated from impurities before final separation by chemical methods. After the precious metal has been separated, the Gold is then weighed to within 1/10,000 of a milligram.

Flotation Tests

Using Denver cells with various reagents to establish the best recovery regime for mixed ores.

FOB (Free On Board)

The seller’s price in a standard FOB contract consists of the cost the goods and the expense of placing those goods on board a vessel that is nominated by the buyer. When a cargo is sold on an FOB basis the buyer nominates the inspection company. Therefore to ensure that the seller’s goods are placed on board the buyer’s vessel at the right place and right time requires co-operation between the two parties. The buyer is obliged to inform the seller of his nominated vessel usually ten days before arrival at the port.

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Granulometry

Granulometry is more simply explained when described as particle sizing. Granulometry testing is determined by placing samples through standardized metal sieves. The apertures can have either square or round holes. They are normally used to determine whether a product is within a given size specification, however they can also be used in agricultural products to investigate infestation.

Gross Sample

Also known as the bulk sample. A composite of all increment samples or all sub samples.

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Hardgrove Index

Indicates the relative grindability or ease of pulverization of a coal in comparison to coals chosen as standards. High values indicate a coal easy to pulverize and low values indicates a coal hard to pulverize. Hardgrove grindability index is rank dependent and increase as does rank, although anthracites have low Hardgrove grindability indices.

Hatch Hose testing

Hatch hose testing is used to establish whether ship’s hatch seals and covers are watertight. The ship’s own, or a shore-side hose, is used to vigorously spray all areas of the hatch cover joints and hold seal areas. The process is usually carried out for a period of half an hour after which time the hatch covers are opened and the empty holds are inspected for water ingress. In this way the surveyor can then accept or reject the vessel for loading.

Heap Leach

Is a laboratory scale column test used to simulate and calculate the reagent usage and recovery criteria for a heap leach pad.

Hold Cleanliness Inspection

This inspection is performed to determine whether the holds are clean, dry and free of previously shipped cargo. Each hold should be individually inspected, accepted or rejected by the attending surveyor. The holds should be free of odour, without paint peeling or heavy rust that could flake into the cargo designated for loading. All accessible areas of the hold and hatch covers should be thoroughly examined, as previously shipped commodity could remain in hard to reach areas. The hatch covers should be opened and closed at least twice in the presence of the attending surveyor in order to establish whether previously shipped cargo is hidden under the exposed hatch cover areas.

Hold Condition Survey

Thorough inspection of the cargo compartment and the hatch covers to determine its suitability for the carriage of the proposed cargo and that the specified requirements of the customer for cleanliness are met. Inspection of the compartment for any damage in order to prevent harm to the cargo and to prevent claims against the customer for damage that is not attributable to him.

Hold Sealing

Security sealing of the hatch covers and access hatch covers with numbered seals to prevent tampering with the cargo.

Hull and Engine Survey

If a vessel you have been using suffers hull or engine damage, we can perform an inspection and provide a certificate that will outline the full extent of the damage caused. Any survey of the hull could include, engine, decks, pipes, bilges, hatches, ventilators, gangways, tanks, lighting and other fittings and structures within the vessel.

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ICP Emission

The ICP Emission Spectrometer is used to analyze a wide range of elements at sub PPM to percentage levels, using a modern CID detector capable of simultaneous multi-elemental detection with a high degree of precision.

Increment

This is the material taken by a single motion of any sampling device. This could involve the use of a shovel, sounding pipe, spear or automatic system.

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Loss control

A competent surveyor is employed by his principal for many reasons, one fundamental part of his remit is to assess any prevailing damage to goods and to minimize loss / maximize profitability. The surveyor will co-ordinate with stevedores or warehouse personnel in order to segregate damaged goods and to salvage as much of the commodity as possible.

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Marine Cargo Surveying

Goods and financial interests in maritime transport are subject to damages and losses for many reasons. Our experts can protect your interests as they secure your rights to compensation for damages to goods, or if your financial interests are threatened.

Mates Receipt

A Mate’s Receipt, as the name suggests, is a receipt made out normally by the First Officer of a ship, stating the quantity, description and condition of goods received on board. It is normally issued in the name of and given to the shipper of the goods. Mate’s Receipts are intended to be only temporary documents because, once loading is completed, they are exchanged for Bill of Lading issued.

Moisture determination

This survey will give guidance prior to shipment of the general condition of the material. If required a sample can be drawn to produce an approximate analysis. This type of survey is often essential in new markets.

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On Hire Off Hire Survey

To ascertain the quantities of Fuel Oil, remaining on board of a vessel at time of her delivery to Time Charters or her return to owners and if required, to survey the condition of her cargo compartments, with regard to existing and/or claimed damages.

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Prepared Sample

The final analysis sample prepared by appropriate means such as drying, mixing, reducing, crushing, grinding etc. and then properly apportioned for sealing.

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Quality control – damaged cargo investigation

This operation is carried out, depending on the commodity involved, in factory or at shipside in the sampling preparation room or in a laboratory. Stewart Group operates a global network of laboratories that help determine analytical results. Damage survey can cover every aspect of the contractual qualitative specifications and condition of the goods.

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Radiation Certificate

We will monitor the loading or discharging of your cargo in order to confirm that no radiation has been detected in the material and issue the appropriate certificate.

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Sealing

Security sealing of containers, drums, bags or even cargo holds with Stewart Group seals.

Shipment Period

All contracts state a shipment period during which time the goods should commence loading onto the nominated vessel. The question of whose responsibility it is to nominate the vessel (seller or buyer) depends on the contract. If the obligated party fails to commence loading within the shipment period they are in breach of the contract and the other party is entitled to damages.

Stockpile Inspection

Accurate measurements of all kinds of stockpiles are undertaken utilizing advance technology and traditional sampling techniques.

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Tallying

A tally is often commonly described as a ‘piece count’. A commodity can be tallied in package form for example, a tally of bundles. A tally is often carried out when there are no facilities to weigh a commodity at a warehouse or port.

Temperature determination

Temperature determination is normally carried out by means of a probe connected to a digital read -out. It is often critical to establish the temperature of a cargo in order to maintain safety. Some cargoes such as steel scrap turnings can spontaneously combust if the product is not allowed to cool sufficiently prior to loading aboard a vessel.

Titration

Modern high-precision Titrators are used, particularly for fast and accurate determination of Silver in Dore and Fluorine in a range of materials.

Transportable Moisture Determination

Non-Ferrous bulk concentrates contain a quantity of moisture and this level varies with each production. In accordance with IMO guidelines, general cargo vessels should only carry concentrates with moisture content less than the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and therefore the result of the test used to determine the TML can be critical.  Stewart Group is able to carry out this test to produce an accurate result within 24 hours of receipt of sample.

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Ultimate Analysis

The ultimate of a coal expressed in terms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen. The analysis refers to the carbonaceous material only and hence is often expressed on a dry ash free basis or dry mineral matter free basis. Oxygen is generally estimated by difference although there are methods for its determination.

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Warehousing

Specializing in the storage of commodities where local management, experience and security ensure a safe and professional service.

Water Ingress

The surveyor should investigate the presence of water ingress that may be prevalent in the hold of a ship. The source of the water ingress should be thoroughly investigated and can occur through the hatch covers, either down the hatch walls or through the hatch sealing joints. Water ingress can also occur through the vessel’s bilges or if the shell plating, deck or a tank top is punctured. A simple silver nitrate test can be performed to establish whether the water ingress is fresh or seawater.

Weighing and Sampling

For commercial settlement purposes two factors have to be considered an accurate weight in conjunction with an accurate analytical result. It is essential that samples are drawn from the commodity in accordance with internationally accepted standards and Stewart Group surveyors are fully conversant with these requirements and procedures.

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