glossary of mining terms

Those are the often rocks that end up on companies' presentations. However, investment decisions should not be made based on the grades reported in grab samples.

Grab Sample – Word of The Week #15

A grab sample is a sample from a rock outcrop that is assayed to determine if valuable elements are contained…

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Induced Polarization - short: IP - is one of the most commonly used mineral exploration techniques in geophysics.

Induced polarization – Word of The Week #14

Induced Polarization - short: IP - is one of the most commonly used mineral exploration techniques in geophysics. IP surveys…

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Gossans may be used as clues to the existence of subsurface mineralization, especially if distinctive box works are present.

Gossans – Word of the Week #13

According to Britanica, gossan, also spelled "gozzan", are rust-coloured oxide and hydroxide minerals that sit on top of ore deposits, as…

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Unlike porphyries, epithermal deposits are not large. They are often rather small, yet appealing to mining companies because of their high grades.

Epithermal Deposit – Word of the Week #12

What's an epithermal deposit? Unlike porphyries, epithermal deposits are not large. They are often rather small, yet appealing to mining…

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Room-and-pillar mining is a method of mining flat-lying ore deposits in which the mined-out area, or rooms, are separated by pillars of approximately the same size.

“Room-and-Pillar Mining” – Word of the Week #11

According to the SEC's glossary of mining terms, room-and-pillar mining is a method of mining flat-lying ore deposits in which…

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Line cutting is often the first exploration work done on the claim. It involves cutting a main base line through the middle of the mining claim with a series of grid or wing lines running off of the base line at 90-degree angles. Vegetation may be cleared during line cutting.

“Line Cutting” – Word of the Week #10

Line cutting is often the first exploration work done on the claim. It involves cutting a main base line through the…

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Mineral systems are a collection of mineral deposits. They describe the volume, and type of rock in a given place, as well as the time it took for that body of rock to form.

“Mineral System” – Word of the Week #9

Mineral systems are a collection of mineral deposits. They describe the volume, and type of rock in a given place,…

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What are mineral deposits? We define mineral deposits as natural accumulations of minerals in the earth crust, in form of one or several mineral bodies which can be extracted at the present time or in an immediate future. Mineral deposits (metallic, non-metallic and combustible materials) constitute major raw materials for industrial development today, and the demand for these raw materials is ever increasing. Mineral deposits include several different types related to magmatic, hydrothermal, sedimentary and metamorphic processes.

“Mineral Deposit” – Word of the Week #8

“Mineral Deposit” was “Word of the Week”, for the eight week of 2022.“Word of the Week” is a weekly publication on…

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Pitchblend is an important uranium ore mineral, which is black in color, possesses a characteristic greasy lustre and is highly radioactive. The name pitchblende comes from the colour of the crystal, which is very dark, and it’s also very dense.

“Pitchblende” – Word of the Week #7

“Pitchblende” was “Word of the Week”, for the seventh week of 2022. “Word of the Week” is a weekly publication on…

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Assessment work - The amount of work, specified by mining law, that must be performed each year in order to retain legal control of mining claims.

“Assessment Work” – Word of the Week #6

“Assessment Work” was “Word of the Week”, for the sixth week of 2022. “Word of the Week” is a weekly publication…

1 Min Read

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