What is the proper way to verify large stockpile samples?

Taking a front-end loader bite from several sides is the proper way to verify large stockpile samples because it ensures a more representative sample of the entire stockpile. This method helps capture variations in material that may exist due to factors like segregation, compaction, or contamination. By sampling from multiple sides, you can mitigate the risk of bias that might come from taking a sample from only one area, such as the top layer.

Sampling the top layer alone may not reflect the overall composition of the stockpile, as the material at the surface can differ significantly from that deeper within the stockpile. Core samples taken from the center might provide information about the middle of the pile but fail to capture variations near the edges. Acquiring samples from separate facilities is not a verification approach for a single stockpile, as it complicates the testing process and introduces variability unrelated to the stockpile itself. Thus, taking bites from several sides with a front-end loader offers the most reliable means of obtaining a representative sample for analysis.