TERMS-glossary of mining terms - trans-siberian gold.docx

8/14/2019 TERMS-glossary of mining terms - trans-siberian gold.docx

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Adit

Horizontal passage to access mineralization, usually in the side of a hill

AgChemical symbol for silver

AndesiteA variety of volcanic rock

AnomalousValue of a given element that is deemed to be above the background or normal value

ArsenopyriteArsenic-iron sulphide mineral

AssayThe analysis of minerals, rocks and mine products to determine and quantify their constituent parts

AuChemical symbol for gold

BackfillMaterial placed into stopes to support the hangingwall following extraction of ore

Bacterial oxidationOxidation of sulphide ore using bacteria in order to make the ore amenable to leaching

Ball MillMineral processing equipment containing steel balls used to reduce the particle size of the ore

BankableA term commonly used to refer to studies that are intended to be sufficiently advanced to secure debtfinance

BenchesIndividual levels in the extraction of an open-pit which often remain as steps in the walls of the pit

BrecciaRock composed of angular fragments

Bulk SampleA large volume sample commonly taken for metallurgical testing or trial mining purposes

Carbon in Column (CIC)Process for the extraction of gold from the leach solution in a series of columns

Carbon in Leach (CIL)Process in which carbon is added to the solution following leaching in order to extract gold

Carbon in Pulp (CIP)Process in which carbon is added to the ore pulp during leaching in order to extract the gold

CarbonateRelating to rocks rich in calcium and/or magnesium

Channel sampleA means of taking a sample from a rock face by collecting the cuttings from a small channel

ChalcopyriteCopper-iron sulphide mineral

Country rockA term used to describe the rocks surrounding an ore body

CrosscutA horizontal underground drive developed perpendicular to the strike direction of the stratigraphy(orebody)

Crown Pillar



A pillar of ore left for safety and stability reasons between the base of the open-pit and the first level ofunderground mining and strategically between levels for support

CuChemical symbol for copper

Cut and fillA mining method where the void resulting from mining the ore is filled with material in order to stabilise

the roof and walls enabling extraction of nearby oreCyanidation

Process in which the precious metals are extracted from the processed ore by leaching with a cyanidesolution

CycloneMineral processing equipment used to separate milled ore into different size fractions

DepositAn anomalous occurrence of a specific mineral or minerals within the Earth's crust

Diamond DrillingA drilling method which obtains a cylindrical core of rock by drilling with an annular bit set with diamonds

DioriteAn intrusive igneous rock with a mixture of dark and light minerals

DilutionIncorporation of low grade or waste material into the mined ore as a function of the mining process

DipInclination of a geological feature/rock from the horizontal (perpendicular to strike)

DisseminatedFine grained material scattered quite evenly throughout the rock

DoréUnrefined gold, usually in bar form and consisting primarily of gold with smaller amounts of other previousand base metal, which will be further refined to high purity gold bullion

Draw PointsAccess into stopes from which broken ore is removed

Drive

An underground passage for exploration, development or working of an ore body

LenticularLens shaped

LithologyDescription of the characteristics of rocks

LoggingRecording geological, geotechnical and other information from drill core

Measured mineral resourceThat portion of a mineral resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade andmineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. It is based on detailed and reliableexploration, sampling and testing information gathered through workings and drill holes. The locations arespaced closely enough to confirm geological and/or grade continuity

MesothermalA hydrothermal ore deposit formed at intermediate temperatures (200-300oC) and depths (1,200-4,500m)

MetaA prefix attached to the name of any rock which has undergone metamorphism

Metallurgical TestworkStudies pertaining to the metal content of a rock and the extraction of such metals

MillingA process in which the particle size of the ore is reduced in order to extract the valuable component



Mineral ResourceA concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the earth's crust in such aform and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location,quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated orinterpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are subdivided, in order ofincreasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories

Mineralisation

The concentration of metals and their chemical compounds within a body of rock

MtMillion metric tonnes

MtpaMillion tonnes per annum

Non refractory oreOre that is relatively easy to process for the recovery of valuable minerals or elements

Ordinary Kriging (OK)A geostatistical method used to interpolate grades into a block model from the sample data

Ore bodyThe volume of rock containing the mineral resource

Ore reserveThe economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource. It includes diluting materialsand allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, whichmay include feasibility studies, have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification byrealistically assumed, mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social andgovernmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction couldreasonably be justified

OxideSoft, weathered rock. Formed by the processes of weathering near surface

PillarsColumns of ore left in place as part of the mining process in order to support the hanging wall of theexcavation

Pressure CyanidationProcess in which the precious metals are extracted from the processed ore by leaching with a cyanide

compound under high pressure conditions

Pressure OxidationOxidation of sulphide ore under high pressure conditions in order to make the ore amenable to directleaching

Probable ore reserveThe economically mineable part of an Indicated and in some circumstances measured mineral resource. Itincludes diluting material and allowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined.Appropriate assessments, which may include feasibility studies, have been carried out, and includeconsideration of and modification by realistically assumed, mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing,legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time ofreporting that extraction could reasonably be justified

ProspectAn area of ground considered worthy of investigation with respect to mineral potential

Proved ore reserveThe economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource. It includes diluting materials andallowances for losses which may occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments, which mayinclude feasibility studies, have been carried out, and include consideration of and modification byrealistically assumed, mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social andgovernmental factors. These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction couldreasonably be justified

PyriteIron sulphide mineral





TrenchingA means of exposing and sampling near surface geology by digging a trench

TuffRock formed from volcanic ash fall deposits

TSFTailings storage facility

UnderhandWhere excavation is carried downslope from access level (see cut and fill)

VolcanicPertaining to igneous rocks which have been erupted from volcanoes

WeatheringDegradation of rocks at the Earth's surface by climatic forces

Whittle OptimisationA computerised method of determining the amount of material economically extractable by open pitmethods

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TERMS-glossary of mining terms - trans-siberian gold.docx