Analysis on Sampling and Sample Preparation Based on Nickel Content Test Results, Pt. Haltim Mining, East Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province

PT. Haltim Mining is one of the nickel mining companies with sediment resources consisting of several layers, namely cover soil, limonite, saprolite, and bedrock. About 1.8% of the nickel concentrate would be marketed by the company, but the nickel content sampled for testing by XRF Epsilon 3 tool changes the level between the samples in the Pit and the sample on the stockpile. The results showed that the average level of nickel concentrate sampled at Pit was 1.80%, while the average level of nickel concentrate sampled on Stockpile was 1.75%, with an average difference of 0.09%. Changes in levels were influenced by the sampling method, sample preparation, and the accuracy of a sampler.