A new method utilising standard additions of gold for the initial characterisation of preg-robbing potential for a variety of ores is proposed. The method is compared with the Barrick Gold Mines Incorporated (BGMI online) preg-robbing test currently used in industry and shows good correlation for carbonaceous ores. It is shown that for silicate and sulphide ores the residence time of the BGMI preg-robbing test is too short to allow equilibrium to be achieved and in all cases it was demonstrated that allowances in the BGMI preg-robbing test need to be made for gold leached from the ore. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.