ORE MINERALS

Ore

A natural rock or sediment containing one or more valuable minerals that can be mined at a profit.

Mineral Deposit

A natural occurrence of a usual mineral, designated as a "geologic term."

Ore Deposit

A mineral deposit of sufficient extent and concentration to invite exploitation, designated as an "economic term."

Mineral Exploration

A complete sequence of activities aimed at discovering deposits of minerals and rocks for societal resource needs.

Project Design

The initial stage in formulating a project, involving data review, government requirements, and budget proposals.

Field Exploration

Physical activities in the selected project area, subdivided into regional reconnaissance, detailed exploration, and prospect evaluation.

Regional Reconnaissance

Identifying targets or interesting mineralized zones over a relatively large area.

Detailed Exploration

More detailed surface and subsurface activities to find and delineate mineralized zones.

Prospect Evaluation

Assessing market profitability through resource drilling, metallurgical testing, and environmental cost assessment.

Pre-Production Feasibility Study

Validating data accuracy to satisfy investors and raise funds for project production.

History of Mining

Indicates that mining was conducted in prehistoric times, as shown by archaeological discoveries.

Flint

The first mineral used by humans, known for its ability to be broken into sharp-edged pieces.

Mining

The process of extracting useful minerals from the surface of the Earth, including seas.

Surface Mining

A method used to extract ore minerals that are close to the Earth's surface.

Open-Pit Mining

A common surface mining method involving a large pit created by blasting and drilling.

Dredging

Mining materials from the bottom of bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes.

Strip Mining

Removing a thin strip of overburden to extract a desired deposit, then creating parallel strips.

Placer Mining

Mining of stream bed deposits for minerals, done by open-pit or surface excavating equipment.

Underground Mining

Extracting ore minerals from deep under the Earth's surface.

Milling or Mineral Processing

The process of extracting and refining minerals from ore for use.

Sampling

The removal of a portion of material that represents the whole for analysis.

Analysis

Evaluating the valuable components in an ore, including chemical and particle size analysis.

Communication

Separating valuable components of ore through crushing and grinding.

Concentration

Separating valuable minerals from raw materials.

Dewatering

Filtration and sedimentation of suspension and drying of solid materials.

Heavy Media Separation

A method where crushed rocks are submerged in liquid to separate heavier minerals.

Magnetic Separation

Using a powerful magnet to separate magnetic minerals from waste materials.

Flotation

A process where powdered ore is agitated in a slurry to separate minerals based on physical and chemical properties.

Cyanide Heap Leaching

A method for low-grade gold ore where cyanide solution is applied to a leach pile.