What action is required if a dedicated stockpile seems to have diminished in quality?

The correct course of action when a dedicated stockpile appears to have diminished in quality is to take additional samples to assess current sustainability. This approach ensures that a thorough evaluation is made regarding the condition of the stockpile before any decisive actions, such as removal or disposal, are taken.

By sampling the stockpile, you obtain updated and specific information about its quality, allowing for informed decision-making based on the actual data collected. This assessment can help determine if the quality degradation is due to environmental factors, segregation, or other issues that might be reversible or manageable.

Simply removing the stockpile without investigation could lead to unnecessary waste if the quality is still adequate for use, while consulting management or notifying local authorities may not address the immediate concern of assessing the stockpile’s viability. Therefore, gathering additional samples represents a prudent, systematic approach to ensuring material quality and sustainability.