Collecting samples is a rather simple procedure. Usually a shovel full of material will be taken at the surface and a second sample will be taken from two feet below the initial sample. We are interested in darker material. (see stream sediment sampling)

The location is checked on the GPS, noted in a log book and written on the outside of the sample bag. An additional piece of waterproof paper with all the sample information is added to the sample bag's contents. Redundancy is important to prevent unidentified samples.

While sampling is relatively easy, there is a lot of planning which goes into collecting the samples. Plastic bags, a log book, and waterproof paper slips are all prepared beforehand to make the process simple while out in the bush or on the water. With this praparation, location, date, and notes are all that need to be added in the field.

Samples are not collected at random. There has to be a good reason to pick a site for sampling. It could be the relationship of the site to a suspected pipe (often taking glaciation, land rebound, water flow directions, vegitation, and topology into account), dark sands, suspected indicator minerals, etc. which determines the selection of a sample. Considerable map work and study of preceding work determines locations for samples - as well as the instincts of a good geologist.

After collection the samples are tested for contents and a report is prepared.