IS THIS A GRAB, OR "GAB" SAMPLE?

Chip Sampling

A Chip sample is a continuous series of rock chips collected in a line across an exposure in an equidistant and uniform manner. Care is taken to avoid over sampling softer zones; under sampling harder material. Taken in the correct manner the sample can be considered quantitative and may be used in tonnage and grade calculations.

Channel Samples

A channel sample consists of all the chips, fragments, and dust from a channel of uniform width and depth cut across an exposure of mineralized rock. In other words, this is a time consuming process, an expense that is not often justified.

Drill Samples

Aside from sampling a step-form vertical trench, a diamond drill sample is considered to be the only acceptable method of determining the measured depth of a hardrock deposit. When an ore body has been measured by length, by width, by depth, then the ore is considered to be proven.

A churn, or auger drill may be used to evaluate a placer deposit.