Reception | Valcambi

Guaranteed customer protection by using best industry practice

Once the shipment is received at the Valcambi premises, Valcambi inspects the parcels, boxes, and containers checking for outside damage, the number of parcels/containments weight, the kind of metal received, and other contingent non-conformities, such as radioactivity.

From 80% of all received metal deliveries a sample is taken to perform a preliminary analysis.

The material is then weighed, homogenised, and sampled in the presence of the client’s representative, if the client has exercised their right to be represented.

A representative sample is of utmost importance to the client and to all further internal processes.

Valcambi guarantees its clients the best homogenisation techniques and sampling methods for any kind of metal.
All data from each delivery is recorded in Valcambi’s SAP system for the safety and reference of our clients and to ensure full control of each batch in our ERP system.

Logistics

Logistics
Weighing
Statement

Logistics

Phase 1: Shipment

The precious metal is shipped to Valcambi through a shipping agent in co-ordination with the client.

Phase 2: Setting up supervision

As soon as the Advised Information is available, Valcambi’s Sales Department contacts the client’s representative to agree on a date and time on which weighing, melting, and sampling operations will take place, if the client has exercised their right to be represented.

Phase 3: Inspection

Once Valcambi receives shipment at its premises, we immediately inspect the boxes/containers/parcels.

Phase 4: Radioactivity checks

Each shipment undergoes a radioactivity check.

If positive, Valcambi will not allow the carrier to unload the material and the shipment is rejected.

Phase 5: Storage in Valcambi’s vaults

If any of the boxes/containers/parcels are damaged or any of the seals on the boxes/containers/parcels are broken, Valcambi immediately informs the client about the extent of the damage and requests approval to proceed with the weighing, melting, and sampling operations.

Pending the client’s approval, the shipment is safely stored in Valcambi’s vaults.

Should non-conformities occur, depending on the process step (during unloading or upon acceptance of the delivered material) the Logistics Department will segregate the material in the vault and await further instructions from the Sales Department.

Phase 6: Confirming compliance

Valcambi’s Logistics Department verifies that the received parcels are in full compliance with the details reported in the Advised Information, such as:

Name of client/sender/consignee

Number of packages or boxes

Gross weight of packaging, bags, and bars

Number of bags/bars and seals numbers

Total net weight of each bag and bar

Total estimated fine metal content of the shipment (per each metal) in troy ounces as per client’s assays

Certified copy of client’s assays in respect of the shipment, evidencing the fine metal content estimates

Name of the client’s representative at the weighing, melting, and sampling operations, if one is designated

Other information relating to the shipment as Valcambi may reasonably request (e.g. AWB)

Once the Logistics Department has checked, verified, and approved the incoming material, it is then moved to the Balance Room, arranged as per the client’s requests/instructions.

In the case of shipments requiring the client’s supervision by a representative, the parcels are either temporarily stored in Valcambi’s vault or directly moved to the Balance Room (sealed) where they are checked, opened, and unpacked in the presence and under the control of the client’s representative.

Weighing

Phase 1: Establishing net weights

Before proceeding with the actual weighing of the material, the balance is verified by using standard reference weights.

Following the client’s specific instructions, the material is divided into melting lots.

If these instructions have not been previously agreed, the material is divided at Valcambi’s discretion, according to the best interests of the client, based on the kind of the received material and on Valcambi’s melting capacity.

The total net weight of each melting lot is printed as per the balance and recorded in the ERP system.

Phase 2: Comparing net weights with Advised Information

The established net weights are then compared with those listed in the Advised Information and if there are any discrepancies, Valcambi promptly notifies the client or their representative.

The processing of the material is deferred until the client and Valcambi have reached an agreement on the difference.

If the client and Valcambi do not reach an agreement on the difference within two business days from the date of notification, the material is returned to the client or to their representative, at Valcambi’s premises and at the client’s costs without any further obligation for Valcambi.

Statement

Phase 1: Homogenisation of the lots

The material is melted in lots, which are prepared during the weighing process.

Before melting any client’s material, Valcambi cleans the crucible to remove any residual contamination from previous melts.

Phase 2: Representative sample

Valcambi samples each melted lot by taking two or more representative samples of approximately 100 g–200 g in the form of buttons, sample bars, or any other suitable shape.

Depending on the kind of material and on the lot size, Valcambi uses the appropriate sampling devices to take samples from the molten metal prior to and/or in the course of pouring in ingots or anodes.

The samples must be representative of the melt and are used to verify its homogeneity, as well as to perform the analysis on the precious metals contents.

Phase 3: Recovery bar

Once all lots have been melted, the cleaning procedure begins.

This process includes the furnaces, tools, crucibles, moulds, and the furnaces surrounding the area.

The recovered material is melted with the addition of flux, and poured in the form of a bar suitable for sampling.

Phase 4: Determination of weights after melting

The melted lots and the recovery bar are weighed to establish the “weight after melting” and the melting weight loss.

Upon the client’s request, the slag produced during the melting is weighed, sealed, and kept at the disposal of the client or their representative for a period of six months from the date of delivery, unless otherwise agreed.

Phase 5: Settlement weight

The settlement weight per lot is the weight after melting less the weight of the client’s sample.

The umpire sample is deducted from the weight only if the client wishes to enter into the umpire process.

Phase 6: Reporting

Once the weighing, melting, and sampling operations are completed, Valcambi issues a report summarising the following information:

Date of the material’s arrival at Valcambi’s premises

Client’s reference numbers

Valcambi’s reference numbers

Established net weight per lot

Weight after melting

Weight of the recovery bar

Weight of client’s samples

Weight of umpire sample

Closing remarks of the representative regarding the work performed

Contingent remarks of Valcambi pertaining to the material received and the conduct of the operations

The report is signed by an officer of Valcambi and by the client’s representative if so designated to attend.

A copy of the report is given to the representative or sent to the client.

A second copy is kept for Valcambi’s files.