The policy of quality control is the foundation of management system improving.

The fundamental company priority is the quality of the product. All the holding enterprises are working at the creation of Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO International Standard requirements, series 9001.

In October 2004 Quality Management Certificate was handed to Argillit Ltd. The Certificate follows GOST R ISO 9001-2001 requirements for bentonite powders & clay production and further realization. At present time Argillit Ltd. deals with preparation to API certification on Q1 and 13 A (bentonite powders for drilling fluids certification) Specifications with getting the right to use API Monogram. Certification plans to be at the beginning of year 2005.

We do pose a problem not only to certificate the products but also to create the practicable Quality Management System (QMS) and the main purposes are:

• to create and to improve continuously the Quality Management System;
• to produce the products in accordance with consumer needs;
• to guarantee the quality stability of the production;
• strategical and effective marketing planning as the definition of current and future consumers needs and great aspiration to exceed all their expectations.

Technical Control Department (TCD) of all production-enterprises in accordance with orders approved and planned schedule are realizing:

• mining control, selective ore excavation control with bedded control sampling and with preparation for hole core testing;
• process control during treatment, warehousing with control sampling;
• shipment control with commodity test control and only after appropriate samples preparation are to be send for laboratory research;
• on the basis of test results made by Technical Control Department (TCD) together with chief geologist service and production service are managing mining, treatment and shipment processes.

The laboratory research of each enterprise is responsible for:

• efficient analysis test results, in accordance with all-Union State Standard, technical conditions and other Normative-Technical Documents (NTD);
• well-timed documents registration;
• developing and launching new test and analysis methods.

Bentonit SIC is responsible for the achievement of Quality Management Policy.