How Analytical Solutions Made International Mining Laboratory Audits Complete the First Time

Analytical Solutions Ltd., specializes in exploration geochemistry, data interpretation and quality control for assay programs. Established in 1985, Analytical Solutions Ltd. has the international experience to consistently provide clients with efficient solutions including:

Quality Control Programs and Lab Audits
Sampling to Database Management
Geochemical Exploration
Surveys – Design to Interpretation

Customer	Analytical Solutions Ltd.
Industry	Mining laboratory consulting
Use case	International mine laboratory audits
Verified outcome	Faster audits, complete submissions and clearer punch-list reporting

Audit Required Questions

100 Missed

Forms & Photo Evidence

50 Tablet

Critical, Major & Minor Findings

0 Severity Levels

THE CHALLENGE:

An international audit offers no second chance

Mine laboratories assay hundreds of samples each day. Their results influence ore-versus-waste decisions, plant optimization and mine-to-mill reconciliation. Analytical Solutions audits these laboratories worldwide, so the completeness of every site visit matters.

Auditors previously carried a multi-page paper form and a separate camera. After the visit, answers were entered into Excel and photographs had to be organized, printed and formatted across worksheets. If a question was missed during an international visit, returning to the site might not be practical, leaving the audit incomplete.

THE SOLUTION:

Required digital forms and a fit-for-purpose report

Field Eagle moved the audit onto a tablet with an integrated camera. The workflow required forms to be complete before upload, reducing the risk of a forgotten question. Photos and findings stayed connected to the audit instead of being reconciled later.

The standard report did not initially meet Analytical Solutions’ needs, so the export was customized. The resulting punch-list report organized critical, major and minor issues in a format suitable for clients.

“It is important to acquire all of the information on an international site visit; you cannot return to ask forgotten questions. The FE system requires that all forms are complete before the information can be uploaded.”

THE RESULT:

Faster reporting and a reusable audit history

Removing paper-to-Excel re-entry saved time and reduced administrative handling. Clients received a clearer view of issues, and auditors retained the forms online for follow-up work.

Standardized records also created a foundation for comparing costs, practices and quality expectations between mine sites. That makes the audit history useful not only for a single visit, but also for corporate benchmarking and continuous improvement.

“There is time saved in not manually entering information from a paper copy to Excel. The report format was not suitable for our requirements but Field Eagle altered the export routine to improve the output.”

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPLEMENTATION:

What changed in the audit workflow

Auditors no longer had to reconcile handwritten answers, a separate camera and multiple Excel worksheets after leaving the mine site. The digital form connected questions and photographs during the visit, checked completion before upload and produced a client-facing output from the same record.

Why the result matters

Laboratory assay results guide high-value operational decisions. An incomplete audit can therefore affect more than documentation quality. Capturing the full evidence set during an international visit reduces the risk of unanswered questions and creates a comparable history for follow-up audits and improvement planning.

Best fit for this approach

This workflow is useful for specialized audit and inspection firms whose experts travel to remote or international facilities. It is particularly valuable when returning to collect missing evidence would be expensive, delayed or impossible and when clients require a specific reporting format.

How Field Eagle connects the inspection workflow

Field Eagle brings mobile data collection into one Inspection Management Software workflow. Teams can use Field Inspection Software at the point of work, maintain asset-specific histories with Asset Inspection Software, and configure the broader Inspection Software process around required forms, evidence and reports.

For organizations that need connected business systems, review available Integrations. Teams can also use structured records to support internal standards and external Compliance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mining laboratory audit software?

It is a digital workflow for collecting, validating and reporting audit evidence from mine and assay laboratories. It is distinct from a LIMS: the focus here is the audit process, including required questions, photographs, findings and follow-up reports.

How do digital audits reduce missed questions during international site visits?

Mandatory fields and submission rules identify incomplete items while the auditor is still on site. Analytical Solutions used this safeguard because a return visit to an international mine laboratory may be impractical.

Can mining laboratory audit reports be customized?

Yes. Analytical Solutions needed a different output from the default report, so Field Eagle altered the export routine and produced a punch list that separated critical, major and minor findings.

Can standardized lab audits support benchmarking across mine sites?

Yes. When sites use the same audit structure, the organization can compare recurring issues, costs, best practices and quality expectations. Analytical Solutions intended to use standardized forms for this type of cross-site benchmarking.