MEASUREMENT OF LOOSE BULK DENSITY AND SWELL FACTOR

FOR LIMONITE AND SAPROLITE TEST PIT SAMPLES

EQUIPMENTS

1. Weighing Device 11. Calculator

2. Wooden Box 12. Log Forms
3. GPS (Global Positioning System) 13. Clip Board
4. Shovel 14. Marker Pen
5. Hammer or Mallet 15. Pencil
6. Chisel (flat and pointed tips)
7. Scoop
8. Plastic sample bag (at least 1mm thickness)
9. Plastic straw or string
10. Tape Measure

PROCEDURE

1. Prepare the ground for test pitting by removing the unnecessary material (i.e. transported
material, loose material,) or at least 1 meter depth (vertically and horizontally) of the in situ
material to expose the fresh material
2. Measure a test pit dimensions of about 25 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm in the prepared ground.
3. Take all the in situ materials (in situ samples) within the limits of the measured test pit
dimensions and put it in the plastic sample bag of known mass without any material spillage
then seal it immediately to prevent moisture loss. In sealing the plastic sample bag, tightly
tie it with the plastic straw or string to provide complete moisture seal.
4. While collecting the in situ materials, make sure that no excessive sampling be done beyond
the limits of the measured test pit dimensions except for some instances where materials
(i.e. saprolitic rock, rocky saprolite, and boulder) cannot be cut precisely according to the
desired measured dimensions thereby producing rough or uneven surfaces or edges and
could minimally increase or decrease the quantity of materials taken.
5. After collecting all the in situ samples, measure all the dimensions of the test pit as shown
below and record it in the Density Log Form to arrive on the highest possibility, if not exact,
of getting the actual volume of the in situ samples collected.
6. Calculate for the average of each dimension (H ave , W ave and L ave ) then compute for the
actual volume of the in situ sample (V in situ = H ave x W ave x L ave ).
7. Bring all the collected partial in situ samples to the sample preparation area.
8. Weigh each collected partial in situ sample (M partial_in situ + b ) less the weight of the sample bag
of known mass(b) to determine only the weight of the partial in situ material sample
(M partial_in situ ) , and record it in the Density Log Form.
9. Compute for the total weight of all the partial in situ material samples (M in situ = M partial_in situ 1
+ M partial_in situ 2 + M partial_in situ n).
10. Determine the in situ bulk density (D in situ = M in situ / V in situ ).
11. After weighing all the partial in situ material samples transfer all the materials to the
wooden box having an inside/internal dimensions of 25 cm x 25 cm x 100 cm (L b x W b x H b ).

12. Level the surface of the loose material and measure the height of the empty space (H e )
starting from the top limit of the box down to the surface of the loose material inside the
box in nine (9) predetermined height locations.

13. Compute for the height of the loose material sample (HS) from each predetermined location
by subtracting the height of the empty space from the height of the box (HS = H b – H e ).
Record all the measurements in the Density Log Form.
14. Compute for the average height of the sample (HS ave = (HS1 + HS2 + HS3 + HS4 +HS5 + HS6 +
HS7 + HS8 + HS9)/9).
15. Compute for the volume of the loose bulk material (V loose = HS ave x L b x W b ).
16. Determine the loose bulk density (D loose = M in situ / V loose )
17. Computation for the swell factor of the material sample can be expressed in the following
methods;
Method 1
SF = D in situ
D loose
Method 2
SF = V loose
V in situ
18. After measuring the height of empty space in the wooden box, prepare the sample for
drying by removing the entire material sample from the wooden box and transfer it in the
dry pan. Break up the material sample and spread it evenly to released trapped moisture.
19. Dry the samples in the oven at specified temperature (105ºC ± 5ºC) until a constant weight is
obtained. Drying of each sample shall be done first for 24 hours and weigh, then, the
succeeding measurements will be until the rate of weight loss becomes≤ 0.1% in every 2
hours.
20. After establishing the constant weight of each partial dry bulk sample (in 3 consecutive
readings of weight loss at ≤ 0.1% per 2 hours), record the final weight of the dry bulk sample
(MF partial_dry +p ) less the weight of the dry pan of known mass (p) to determine only the
weight of the partial dry bulk material sample (M partial_dry ).
21. After drying and recording the final weight of the samples, prepare the samples for the
analysis of elements.
22. Bring the prepared samples to the assay lab for the analysis of Ni, Co, Fe, Cao, SiO2, and
MgO.
23. When assay results are already available, assign the proper lithological type of each sample
according to the ore classification tabulated below:

ORE CLASSIFICATION
ORE CLASS % Ni % Fe
WL1 <0.90 ≥20
WL2 ≥0.90<1.20 ≥20<40
OB1 ≥0.90<1.20 ≥40
LGL ≥1.20<1.50 ≥20
HGL ≥1.50 ≥20
LGS ≥1.60<2.00 <20
HGS ≥2.00 <20
WS <1.60 <20

24. Please note that the Loose Bulk Density may sometimes differ from Stockpile Bulk Density.
Loose bulk density is normally applied in establishing the truck factor (weight of the loose
material) from pit to stockyard and the computation of stockpile tonnage after the volume
survey assuming that no additional factors affecting the characteristics of the material such
as compaction and increase or decrease in moisture.