Monthly Roundup: Mining and Minerals Standards from May 2025 (Part 2)

Looking back at May 2025, the Mining and Minerals sector recorded notable progress in standardization through the publication of three key ISO standards. These addressed fundamental processes for coal and lignite analysis—most prominently, moisture determination and the measurement of swelling properties. Collectively, these publications reflect the sector’s persistent drive toward precision analytics, robust quality control, and harmonization across international coal trade and processing. For professionals involved in mining engineering, laboratory analysis, procurement, or regulatory compliance, this overview distills essential developments and provides actionable insights for aligning with current best practices.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 was marked by a focused standardization effort within Mining and Minerals, especially in the domain of coal characterization. The three standards released—two parts of the ISO 5068 series on brown coals and lignites, and a major update to ISO 501 for hard coal—signaled renewed attention to analytical rigor. With updated methodologies for indirect gravimetric moisture determination and refined approaches to assessing the crucible swelling number, the publications catered to both laboratory precision and operational needs.

Unlike some months characterized by diversified topic coverage, May’s releases concentrated on testing and analysis protocols for coal materials. This pattern suggests a sector-wide consensus on the importance of reliable measurement techniques, both for domestic quality assurance and for harmonizing coal trade specifications across borders. The emphasis on moisture analysis and coking behavior directly supports efficiency, environmental compliance, and commercial negotiation in global coal value chains.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 5068-2:2025 - Brown coals and lignites – Determination of moisture – Part 2: Indirect gravimetric method for moisture in the analysis sample

Brown coals and lignites – Determination of moisture – Part 2: Indirect gravimetric method for moisture in the analysis sample

Published as the second edition in the series, ISO 5068-2:2025 defines a standardized indirect gravimetric approach for determining the moisture content found in analysis samples of brown coals and lignites. The procedure involves weighing a prepared sample, drying it under controlled laboratory conditions, and calculating the moisture by mass loss. The standard provides detailed instructions on apparatus, reagents (notably desiccant requirements), sample preparation, and protocols for repeatability and reporting.

Key updates in this revision include updated referenced documents, refreshed terms and definitions, and an improved format for the test report. This ensures better alignment with the latest analytical practices and international vocabulary for coal testing. ISO 5068-2 is crucial for laboratories, quality control managers, and any organization engaged in brown coal and lignite production, trade, or research. Adhering to its methodology assures reproducibility, supports contractual consistency, and maintains compliance with regulatory and trade requirements.

Key highlights:

• Specifies indirect gravimetric method for moisture in brown coals/lignites analysis samples
• Updates to references, terminology, and test reporting for consistency
• Supports laboratory operations, procurement, trade, and regulatory assessments

Access the full standard:View ISO 5068-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 5068-1:2025 - Brown coals and lignites – Determination of moisture – Part 1: Indirect gravimetric method for total moisture

Brown coals and lignites – Determination of moisture – Part 1: Indirect gravimetric method for total moisture

ISO 5068-1:2025 introduces two alternative methods for quantifying total moisture in brown coals and lignites: a single-stage indirect gravimetric method and a more elaborate two-stage approach. In the single-stage method, a closed-milled sample is dried to a constant mass at 105–110°C in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere, with the total moisture determined by the mass loss. The two-stage method separates the process into air-dry loss and residual moisture determination, improving accuracy for samples susceptible to atmospheric changes.

This second edition replaces the 2007 version, incorporating substantial technical revisions: updated referenced documents, modernized terminology, and an improved test report template. The standard caters to coal producers, laboratories, and end-users needing robust and traceable protocols for product assessment and regulatory compliance. Its methods are essential for optimizing processing operations, supporting consistent coal specification across trades, and informing environmental or efficiency calculations.

Key highlights:

• Provides both single- and two-stage indirect gravimetric moisture determination methods
• Refines terminology, references, and documentation for clarity
• Essential for laboratories, producers, and regulatory compliance in lignite/brown coal supply chains

Access the full standard:View ISO 5068-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 501:2025 - Hard coal – Determination of the crucible swelling number

Hard coal – Determination of the crucible swelling number

The fifth edition of ISO 501:2025 details the canonical procedure for assessing the swelling behavior of hard coal when heated in a covered crucible. The test, which determines the Crucible Swelling Number (CSN) or Free Swelling Index (FSI), is pivotal for evaluating coal’s coking properties and predicting its performance in metallurgical and power generation applications. The method involves sample preparation (to pass a 212 μm sieve), careful moisture equilibration, controlled heating, and visual classification of resulting coke button shapes versus standard outlines.

Significant revisions in this edition encompass universal replacement of "should" with "shall" (to clarify mandatory requirements), correction of dimension expressions for international readability, and standardized numerical reporting (notably, fractional scores as decimals). These changes enhance reproducibility and facilitate cross-border technical collaboration. ISO 501:2025 is indispensable for testing laboratories, metallurgical plants, coal traders, and research institutions where accurate coking characterization is mission-critical.

Key highlights:

• Specifies determination of Crucible Swelling Number (CSN/FSI) for hard coal
• Clarifies requirements and refines reporting conventions for global harmonization
• Vital for metallurgical suitability assessments, laboratory testing, and procurement processes

Access the full standard:View ISO 501:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

The May 2025 standards publications for Mining and Minerals demonstrate several prevailing themes:

• Analytical Rigor and Methodology Harmonization: All three standards place emphasis on highly prescribed methodologies, updated terminology, and standardized reporting, underscoring the industry’s demand for reproducible, globally recognized results.
• Quality Control Across Coal Types: Both hard and brown coals received attention, with moisture determination and coking property assessments anchoring much of this month’s publication activity.
• Revision-Driven Modernization: Each standard in this batch is either a new revision or an updated edition, reflecting the sector’s response to evolving laboratory practices, trade requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Lab-to-Market Traceability: Accurate determination of moisture and coking indices is essential for product valuation, process optimization, emissions management, and international procurement—indicating a market-facing rationale for methodological enhancements.

Notably, the alignment of terminology and documentation with updated references and international practice provides strong foundations for global trade and technical collaboration, strengthening the role of standards in facilitating mutual recognition.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these standards, the following priorities and recommendations emerge:

1. Early Gap Assessment: Conduct a review of existing laboratory and production protocols versus updated standard requirements. Pay special attention to dimension tolerances, reporting formats, and safety notes, particularly for ISO 501.
2. Staff Training: Update laboratory and QA personnel on procedural and terminological changes—especially where terms, apparatus, or reagent handling have been updated. This minimizes compliance risk and enhances test reproducibility.
3. Documentation and Traceability: Revise internal reporting templates and procurement documentation to align with the test report requirements outlined in these revised standards.
4. Timeline for Transition: Many organizations synchronize compliance timelines with contractual renewals or regulatory reporting cycles. Assess when your next audit, tender, or supply contract will require conformance with these 2025 editions.
5. Access Standards Resources: Utilize the iTeh Standards portal for ongoing reference, and check for supplementary guidance, webinars, or national adaptations that may influence local implementation.

Immediate priorities:

• Integrate revised ISO 5068 protocols into moisture accounting and sampling SOPs
• Update CSN/FSI testing methods, ensuring accurate fractional result reporting and safety practices
• Communicate changes to partners and clients to ensure alignment across the value chain

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025’s standards publications for Mining and Minerals provided essential updates in coal analysis, modernizing both moisture determination and swelling property measurement procedures. For professionals managing quality, compliance, or procurement in the coal sector, the changes to ISO 5068 (Parts 1 and 2) and ISO 501 are not just technical details—they underpin reliable operations, international trade, and sustainable production.

Organizations are encouraged to promptly review, harmonize, and implement these revisions. Staying up to date with analytical standards is vital for ensuring credibility in markets, supporting claims in quality disputes, and maintaining operational efficiency. As always, the iTeh Standards platform remains an authoritative resource for full content, guidance, and emerging industry updates.

Explore each standard in detail and integrate best practices for ongoing success in the Mining and Minerals sector.