Industry Insights
Why independent assay certification protects mineral buyers
Grade disputes are the most common reason mineral export contracts fail. Independent, dual assay checks remove that risk before a single ton is loaded.
Every solid mineral contract rests on one number: the grade. Whether a buyer is sourcing lithium ore, lead-zinc concentrate or coal, the price, the logistics plan and the letter of credit all assume that the material loaded at the port matches the specification on paper.
Where grade disputes come from
Most disputes are not fraud. They come from sampling a stockpile in one place, moisture changes during haulage, or a laboratory using a different method from the buyer's receiving lab. Any of these can move a result by several percentage points, which on a bulk shipment is a significant amount of money.
How Fembos removes the risk
- Sampling at source. Field supervisors take composite samples at the concession, not from a trader's yard.
- Dual laboratories. Samples are certified by an independent laboratory, and contract-critical lots receive a second test through SGS or Bureau Veritas.
- Sealed lots. Certified lots are sealed and tracked through haulage to the terminal, so the material tested is the material shipped.
We never compromise on grade. Independent assay checking is performed on every raw mineral lot before port loading.
What buyers should ask for
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Who took the sample, and where? | Yard samples rarely represent the whole lot. |
| Which method did the lab use? | Method differences explain most "surprises" at destination. |
| Is the certificate tied to a sealed lot? | Without a seal, the certificate proves nothing about the cargo. |
If you are planning a mineral purchase from Nigeria, our trading desk can walk you through the certification chain for your specific commodity. Start a briefing and we will respond within one business day.
