Top 200 Mining Terms: Unlocking the Language of Mining
🌍 Mining is more than just digging up rocks—it’s a complex industry filled with specialized techniques, cutting-edge technology, and intricate processes that power the world’s infrastructure and economy. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a curious investor, or a passionate learner, understanding the language of mining is essential to navigate this dynamic field.
This comprehensive list of the Top 200 Mining Terms You Should Know covers everything from exploration to processing, safety to sustainability. With real-world examples and clear explanations, this guide is your gateway to mastering the critical vocabulary that drives the global mining industry. 🚀
1. Ore
What It Is: A natural rock containing valuable minerals that can be extracted profitably.
Example: Iron ore is mined worldwide for its high iron content.
2. Vein
What It Is: A mineral deposit that fills cracks or fissures in rocks.
Example: Gold is commonly found in quartz veins deep within the earth.
3. Drill Core
What It Is: A cylindrical sample of rock obtained by drilling into the earth.
Example: Drill cores are analyzed to assess the potential of a mining site.
4. Overburden
What It Is: Layers of soil and rock that cover a mineral deposit.
Example: Removing overburden is the first step in open-pit mining operations.
5. Tailings
What It Is: Residual material left after the extraction of valuable minerals.
Example: Tailings are often stored in tailings dams for environmental safety.
6. Smelting
What It Is: A process to extract metal from ore by heating it at high temperatures.
Example: Copper smelting removes impurities to produce pure copper ingots.
7. Flotation
What It Is: A separation process using chemicals and air bubbles to isolate minerals.
Example: Flotation is widely used to recover valuable sulfide minerals like chalcopyrite.
8. Cut-Off Grade
What It Is: The minimum mineral concentration needed for mining to be profitable.
Example: A gold mine might have a cut-off grade of 1 gram per ton of ore.
9. Mine Shaft
What It Is: A vertical or inclined passageway into an underground mine.
Example: Miners use the shaft to access deep ore deposits.
10. Reclamation
What It Is: The process of restoring land after mining operations are completed.
Example: Reclamation might involve planting trees on a former mine site.
11. Leaching
What It Is: A chemical process to extract metals from ore using solutions.
Example: Cyanide leaching is commonly used to extract gold from low-grade ore.
12. Assay
What It Is: A test to determine the composition of minerals in ore samples.
Example: An assay report showed the gold concentration to be 5 grams per ton.
13. Pit Wall
What It Is: The side of an open-pit mine, often angled for stability.
Example: Engineers monitor pit walls to prevent collapses during mining.
14. Blasting
What It Is: The use of explosives to break rock in mining operations.
Example: Blasting is used to access hard rock deposits in underground mines.
15. Concentrate
What It Is: The enriched product after processing ore to remove impurities.
Example: Copper concentrate is shipped to smelters for further refining.
16. Drift
What It Is: A horizontal passageway in an underground mine.
Example: Drifts connect vertical shafts to the mining areas.
17. Prospecting
What It Is: Searching for mineral deposits using tools and techniques.
Example: Modern prospecting often involves aerial surveys and geophysical equipment.
18. Heap Leaching
What It Is: A process where ore is piled, and leaching solutions are sprayed to extract minerals.
Example: Heap leaching is cost-effective for low-grade gold and copper ores.
19. Milling
What It Is: The process of crushing and grinding ore to extract valuable minerals.
Example: The ore is milled into a fine powder before further processing.
20. Placer Deposit
What It Is: A concentration of valuable minerals in sediment, typically from streams.
Example: Placer gold mining involves sifting river sediments for gold particles.
21. Stockpile
What It Is: A reserve of mined ore or processed materials kept for future use.
Example: Stockpiles are used to ensure a steady feed to the processing plant.
22. Grade
What It Is: The concentration of a valuable mineral within ore.
Example: High-grade ore often leads to more profitable mining operations.
23. Open-Pit Mining
What It Is: A surface mining technique for extracting minerals close to the surface.
Example: Open-pit mines are commonly used for copper and iron extraction.
24. Strip Mining
What It Is: A method to remove shallow mineral deposits by stripping away surface layers.
Example: Strip mining is commonly used to extract coal and phosphate.
25. Bench
What It Is: A horizontal layer in an open-pit mine.
Example: Benches are designed for stability and efficient ore removal.
26. Core Sample
What It Is: A cylindrical section of rock extracted for testing.
Example: Core samples are essential for assessing a site’s mineral potential.
27. Refractory Ore
What It Is: Ore that resists normal extraction processes.
Example: Refractory gold ore often requires additional pre-treatment.
28. Slag
What It Is: Waste material separated during the smelting process.
Example: Iron smelting produces slag, which can be used in construction.
29. Highwall
What It Is: The exposed face of a surface mine or quarry.
Example: Highwalls require monitoring to prevent rockfalls.
30. Grade Control
What It Is: Ensuring consistent ore quality during mining operations.
Example: Grade control involves sampling to maintain processing efficiency.
31. Underground Mining
What It Is: Mining below the earth’s surface using tunnels and shafts.
Example: Underground mining is used for deep deposits like diamonds or gold.
32. Stope
What It Is: A mining area from which ore is extracted.
Example: Miners carefully reinforce stopes to prevent collapses.
33. Pillar
What It Is: Unmined material left to support underground mines.
Example: Pillars are essential for the stability of underground workings.
34. Waste Rock
What It Is: Rock that is mined but contains no valuable minerals.
Example: Waste rock is removed to access ore deposits.
35. Mine Closure
What It Is: The process of shutting down a mine and rehabilitating the area.
Example: After closure, the mine site was converted into a wildlife habitat.
36. Hydrothermal Deposit
What It Is: A mineral deposit formed from hot, mineral-rich water.
Example: Many gold and silver deposits are hydrothermal in origin.
37. Cyanidation
What It Is: A chemical process for extracting gold from ore.
Example: Cyanidation is widely used in gold mining operations.
38. Backfill
What It Is: Material used to fill mined-out areas.
Example: Backfill is often used to stabilize underground mine voids.
39. Decline
What It Is: An inclined passageway used to access underground mining areas.
Example: The decline allowed heavy equipment to reach the ore body.
40. Run-of-Mine (ROM)
What It Is: Unprocessed ore as it comes directly from the mine.
Example: The ROM ore is crushed before entering the processing plant.
41. Lode
What It Is: A deposit of valuable minerals contained within solid rock.
Example: The Comstock Lode in Nevada is a famous silver lode.
42. Mine Plan
What It Is: A detailed blueprint for mining operations, including extraction methods and timelines.
Example: The mine plan outlined a 20-year schedule for extracting copper ore.
43. Mineral Reserve
What It Is: A deposit of known quantity and quality, proven to be economically viable for extraction.
Example: The site’s mineral reserves were estimated at 2 million tons of iron ore.
44. Mineral Resource
What It Is: A concentration of minerals with potential for economic extraction, though not yet proven viable.
Example: Geologists classified the newly discovered site as a mineral resource.
45. Drift Mining
What It Is: Mining a mineral deposit horizontally along a vein.
Example: Drift mining was used to access the coal seam.
46. Sump
What It Is: A low point in a mine where water collects for pumping out.
Example: The sump is routinely monitored to prevent flooding.
47. Cut and Fill
What It Is: An underground mining method where voids are filled with waste material.
Example: The cut-and-fill technique was ideal for the narrow ore veins.
48. Metallurgy
What It Is: The science of extracting and refining metals from ore.
Example: Advanced metallurgy techniques are used to extract rare earth metals.
49. Sampling
What It Is: The process of collecting rock or ore samples for analysis.
Example: Sampling is critical for determining the grade of the deposit.
50. Drift
What It Is: A horizontal tunnel in a mine that follows an ore vein.
Example: The drift was extended to access a richer ore body.
51. Bulk Mining
What It Is: Mining large volumes of low-grade material.
Example: Bulk mining is often used in open-pit operations.
52. Pyrite
What It Is: A common sulfide mineral, often called “fool’s gold.”
Example: Pyrite is frequently found in gold deposits but holds little economic value.
53. Quarry
What It Is: An open-pit mine typically used to extract stone or aggregate.
Example: The limestone quarry supplied material for cement production.
54. Assay Office
What It Is: A facility where ore samples are tested for mineral content.
Example: The assay office confirmed high gold concentrations in the sample.
55. Decline Shaft
What It Is: A sloped tunnel providing access to underground mine levels.
Example: A decline shaft allows vehicles to transport ore from deeper levels.
56. Stoping
What It Is: The process of extracting ore in an underground mine.
Example: Stoping operations required careful planning to avoid roof collapses.
57. Gangue
What It Is: Non-valuable rock or minerals surrounding valuable ore.
Example: The ore was separated from the gangue during processing.
58. Drift-and-Fill Mining
What It Is: An underground method combining horizontal excavation and backfilling.
Example: Drift-and-fill was used to minimize subsidence risks.
59. Inclined Shaft
What It Is: A sloping passageway used to access underground deposits.
Example: The inclined shaft enabled efficient transport of mined material.
60. Mine Ventilation
What It Is: A system for circulating fresh air in underground mines.
Example: Proper mine ventilation is critical for worker safety and equipment operation.
61. Heap
What It Is: A pile of crushed ore awaiting leaching or further processing.
Example: The heap was sprayed with leaching solution to extract gold.
62. Cap Rock
What It Is: A layer of hard rock overlaying a mineral deposit.
Example: The cap rock was removed to access the softer coal seam beneath.
63. Feasibility Study
What It Is: An analysis to determine the economic and technical viability of a mining project.
Example: The feasibility study confirmed the project’s profitability.
64. Borehole
What It Is: A hole drilled to explore or extract minerals or fluids.
Example: Boreholes were drilled to evaluate the deposit’s size and quality.
65. Crosscut
What It Is: A horizontal tunnel connecting mine shafts or drifts.
Example: The crosscut provided access to a new section of the ore body.
66. Spoil
What It Is: Waste material removed during excavation or mining.
Example: The spoil was piled nearby for eventual reclamation.
67. Ore Pass
What It Is: A vertical or inclined passage for transferring ore within a mine.
Example: Ore passes are used to transport ore from higher levels to the processing area.
68. Pillar Mining
What It Is: A method that leaves behind columns of material to support the roof.
Example: Pillar mining is common in coal mining operations.
69. Gossan
What It Is: Oxidized, weathered rock marking the surface of a mineral deposit.
Example: The presence of gossan suggested rich ore deposits below.
70. Blast Pattern
What It Is: The arrangement of drill holes for optimal explosive use.
Example: Engineers designed the blast pattern to maximize rock fragmentation.
71. Mineralogy
What It Is: The study of minerals, their properties, and occurrences.
Example: Mineralogy plays a key role in identifying economically viable deposits.
72. Run-Off Mine (ROM)
What It Is: Unprocessed ore as it is extracted from the mine.
Example: The ROM material was stockpiled for initial crushing.
73. Mine Portal
What It Is: The entrance to an underground mine.
Example: The portal was reinforced with steel to ensure stability.
74. Cutoff Grade
What It Is: The lowest grade of ore considered economically viable.
Example: A gold mine may have a cutoff grade of 1 gram per ton.
75. Geophysics
What It Is: The study of earth properties using physical methods like seismic surveys.
Example: Geophysics was used to locate underground mineral deposits.
76. Shaft Collar
What It Is: The reinforced opening of a mine shaft at the surface.
Example: The shaft collar prevented ground collapse at the entrance.
77. Crown Pillar
What It Is: A layer of material left unmined to support surface structures.
Example: A crown pillar protected the nearby roadway from subsidence.
78. In-Situ Mining
What It Is: Extracting minerals by dissolving them underground and pumping them to the surface.
Example: In-situ mining is commonly used for uranium deposits.
79. Overcut
What It Is: A cut made above a stope to extract ore.
Example: The overcut allowed access to the upper ore body.
80. Mine Surveying
What It Is: Mapping and measuring for mine design and operations.
Example: Mine surveying ensures efficient extraction and safety compliance.
81. Exploration Drilling
What It Is: Drilling to locate and evaluate mineral deposits.
Example: Exploration drilling revealed high concentrations of copper in the area.
82. Core Recovery
What It Is: The percentage of the drill core successfully retrieved during drilling.
Example: High core recovery rates ensure accurate geological data.
83. Open Stoping
What It Is: An underground mining method with large voids and minimal support.
Example: Open stoping was ideal for the site’s wide ore veins.
84. Hydraulic Mining
What It Is: Using high-pressure water to dislodge minerals.
Example: Hydraulic mining is still used for some alluvial gold deposits.
85. Dredging
What It Is: Mining underwater sediments to extract minerals.
Example: Dredging is often used to recover sand, gravel, or precious metals.
86. Breaker
What It Is: A machine used to crush large pieces of rock.
Example: The breaker processed the ore before it was transported to the mill.
87. Run of Mine (ROM) Stockpile
What It Is: A storage area for unprocessed ore.
Example: The ROM stockpile ensures a steady supply to the processing plant.
88. Dilution
What It Is: Waste rock mixed with ore during mining, reducing grade.
Example: Minimizing dilution improves the efficiency of processing.
89. Hanging Wall
What It Is: The rock or surface above an ore deposit.
Example: The hanging wall was stabilized to prevent collapse.
90. Footwall
What It Is: The rock or surface below an ore deposit.
Example: Miners extracted ore while ensuring the footwall remained intact.
91. Mineral Dressing
What It Is: The process of separating valuable minerals from waste.
Example: Mineral dressing involves crushing, grinding, and flotation.
92. Hydrocyclone
What It Is: A device used to separate particles in slurry based on density.
Example: Hydrocyclones help remove waste material during ore processing.
93. Sampling Trench
What It Is: A shallow excavation to expose and sample mineral deposits.
Example: Sampling trenches provided surface data for the new gold prospect.
94. Infill Drilling
What It Is: Additional drilling to increase confidence in resource estimates.
Example: Infill drilling reduced uncertainty in the mine’s feasibility study.
95. Mineral Extraction
What It Is: Removing valuable minerals from their natural setting.
Example: Mineral extraction techniques vary based on the deposit type.
96. Decline Access
What It Is: A sloped tunnel providing vehicle access to underground areas.
Example: The decline access made transporting heavy equipment easier.
97. Room and Pillar Mining
What It Is: A method where rooms of ore are mined, leaving pillars for support.
Example: Room and pillar mining is commonly used for coal extraction.
98. Cut-Off Wall
What It Is: A barrier to prevent water infiltration into mines.
Example: Cut-off walls are vital in wet mining environments.
99. Grouting
What It Is: Injecting material into voids to prevent water inflow or stabilize rock.
Example: Grouting reduced water seepage in the underground mine.
100. Backfill Paste
What It Is: A mixture of tailings and binders used to fill mined-out areas.
Example: Backfill paste improves mine stability and reduces waste disposal.
101. Assay Lab
What It Is: A laboratory for testing the mineral content of samples.
Example: The assay lab confirmed the high gold grades in the samples.
102. Dust Suppression
What It Is: Methods to control dust generated by mining activities.
Example: Dust suppression systems improved air quality at the mine site.
103. Muck
What It Is: Broken rock or ore after blasting or excavation.
Example: The muck was loaded and hauled to the processing plant.
104. Ore Grade
What It Is: The concentration of valuable material within ore.
Example: The ore grade determines the economic feasibility of mining.
105. Flotation Cell
What It Is: A tank used in the flotation process to separate minerals.
Example: Flotation cells improved the recovery rate of zinc in processing.
106. Metallurgical Coal
What It Is: Coal used for steel production rather than energy generation.
Example: Metallurgical coal demand is linked to global steel production.
107. Strip Ratio
What It Is: The volume of waste rock removed relative to ore mined.
Example: A low strip ratio indicates efficient open-pit mining.
108. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)
What It Is: Acidic water formed when sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water.
Example: The mine implemented measures to prevent acid mine drainage.
109. Roof Bolting
What It Is: Reinforcing rock ceilings in underground mines with bolts.
Example: Roof bolting ensured safe working conditions in the coal mine.
110. Mining Claim
What It Is: A legal right to explore or extract minerals in a specific area.
Example: The mining claim required renewal every five years.
111. Longwall Mining
What It Is: An underground mining method where a long wall of ore is mined.
Example: Longwall mining is widely used in modern coal mines.
112. Continuous Miner
What It Is: A machine that extracts minerals without the need for drilling or blasting.
Example: The continuous miner increased productivity in the coal mine.
113. Cyanide Heap Leaching
What It Is: A method to extract gold using cyanide solutions sprayed over ore heaps.
Example: Heap leaching is an economical process for low-grade gold deposits.
114. Open Cast Mining
What It Is: A surface mining technique for extracting minerals near the surface.
Example: Open cast mining is commonly used for coal and iron ore.
115. Sampling Pit
What It Is: A small excavation for taking samples of mineral deposits.
Example: Sampling pits provided insight into surface ore quality.
116. Highwall Mining
What It Is: A method of mining coal or minerals from a highwall left by open-pit mining.
Example: Highwall mining extended the life of the open-pit operation.
117. Slurry
What It Is: A mixture of water and finely ground ore or tailings.
Example: Slurry is pumped to separate minerals during processing.
118. Waste Dump
What It Is: A designated area for depositing waste rock from mining.
Example: Proper design of waste dumps reduces environmental impact.
119. Pit Slope
What It Is: The angle of the walls in an open-pit mine.
Example: Engineers optimized the pit slope for stability and efficiency.
120. Drill String
What It Is: A series of connected pipes used in drilling.
Example: The drill string reached the ore body at 500 meters deep.
121. Mine Rehabilitation
What It Is: Restoring a mined area to its natural or usable state.
Example: The company implemented mine rehabilitation to create wetlands for wildlife.
122. Raise
What It Is: A vertical or inclined passage created from an underground mine.
Example: The raise was used for ventilation and ore transport.
123. Shear Zone
What It Is: A region where rocks have been deformed by shear stress.
Example: The shear zone indicated potential gold mineralization.
124. Drill Collar
What It Is: The top section of a drill hole, often reinforced.
Example: The drill collar was stabilized to prevent collapse during drilling.
125. Free Milling Ore
What It Is: Ore that can be easily processed to extract valuable minerals without complex treatment.
Example: Free milling gold ore simplifies processing compared to refractory ore.
126. Grade Tonnage Curve
What It Is: A graph showing the relationship between ore grade and tonnage.
Example: The grade tonnage curve helped determine mining cut-off grades.
127. Skarn
What It Is: A type of mineral deposit formed by contact metamorphism.
Example: The skarn deposit contained valuable tungsten and copper.
128. Open Circuit Grinding
What It Is: A grinding process without recycling oversized material.
Example: Open circuit grinding is often used for less complex ore types.
129. Continuous Casting
What It Is: A process for solidifying molten metal into semi-finished shapes.
Example: Continuous casting is used to produce aluminum ingots efficiently.
130. Conveyor Belt
What It Is: A system for transporting ore or waste material.
Example: Conveyor belts streamline material handling in open-pit mines.
131. Crown Pillar Failure
What It Is: The collapse of a support layer left in an underground mine.
Example: Engineers reinforced crown pillars to avoid collapse during operations.
132. Bulk Density
What It Is: The mass of a material per unit volume, including void spaces.
Example: Bulk density measurements are critical for calculating ore reserves.
133. Underground Chamber
What It Is: A large, open area excavated within an underground mine.
Example: Underground chambers were created for equipment storage and operations.
134. Mine Tailings Pond
What It Is: A reservoir used to store leftover materials after ore processing.
Example: Tailings ponds are engineered to prevent environmental contamination.
135. Grade Control Drilling
What It Is: Drilling to ensure mined material meets grade requirements.
Example: Grade control drilling improved efficiency by reducing waste.
136. Cyanide Detoxification
What It Is: A process to neutralize cyanide after gold leaching.
Example: Cyanide detoxification ensured compliance with environmental regulations.
137. Cross Section
What It Is: A diagram showing a vertical slice of a geological formation.
Example: The cross section revealed the ore body’s thickness and structure.
138. Dry Tailings Disposal
What It Is: Storing mine waste in a dry, compacted form.
Example: Dry tailings disposal reduced water usage at the mine.
139. Drift Blast
What It Is: Controlled blasting to extend horizontal tunnels in a mine.
Example: The drift blast opened a new access to the ore body.
140. Feeder
What It Is: A device that controls the flow of material into a processing system.
Example: The feeder ensured a steady flow of ore to the crusher.
141. Magnetite
What It Is: An iron-rich mineral and a major ore of iron.
Example: The magnetite deposit was mined for steel production.
142. Rock Mechanics
What It Is: The study of rock behavior under stress, critical for mine design.
Example: Rock mechanics helped prevent collapses in underground mines.
143. Heap Leach Pad
What It Is: A lined area where ore is stacked for leaching.
Example: The heap leach pad was designed to collect gold-rich solutions efficiently.
144. Geotechnical Survey
What It Is: An assessment of soil and rock stability at a mine site.
Example: The geotechnical survey identified weak zones in the open-pit walls.
145. Ore Sorting
What It Is: The process of separating valuable ore from waste.
Example: Ore sorting improved the feed grade to the processing plant.
146. Mineral Flowsheet
What It Is: A diagram outlining the steps in mineral processing.
Example: The mineral flowsheet illustrated the steps for gold recovery.
147. Sonic Drilling
What It Is: A drilling method using high-frequency vibrations to penetrate the ground.
Example: Sonic drilling provided undisturbed core samples in soft soil deposits.
148. Fly Rock
What It Is: Rock fragments thrown into the air during blasting.
Example: Blast shields were used to control fly rock and improve safety.
149. Dewatering
What It Is: Removing water from mine areas or slurry.
Example: Dewatering pumps kept the mine’s tunnels dry during operations.
150. Ore Dilution
What It Is: The mixing of waste material with ore during extraction.
Example: Reducing ore dilution increased the mine’s profitability.
151. Pilot Plant
What It Is: A small-scale facility for testing mining processes.
Example: The pilot plant demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed leaching method.
152. Mining Royalty
What It Is: Payments made to a landowner or government for extracted minerals.
Example: The company negotiated a fair mining royalty for the gold project.
153. Recovery Rate
What It Is: The percentage of valuable material recovered during processing.
Example: The recovery rate for the gold operation was 92%.
154. Vent Raise
What It Is: A vertical passage for ventilation in underground mines.
Example: The vent raise ensured airflow in the lower mine levels.
155. Sintering
What It Is: A process of fusing fine ore particles into larger lumps.
Example: Sintering prepared iron ore for efficient use in blast furnaces.
156. Wear Parts
What It Is: Components that require regular replacement due to wear and tear.
Example: Crushers required frequent wear part replacements.
157. Tailings Pipeline
What It Is: A pipeline for transporting tailings to storage facilities.
Example: The tailings pipeline minimized environmental impact during transportation.
158. Bench Blasting
What It Is: Blasting in horizontal layers in open-pit mines.
Example: Bench blasting exposed a new layer of ore for extraction.
159. Ore Chute
What It Is: A sloping passage for transporting ore within a mine.
Example: Ore chutes directed material from higher levels to the loading area.
160. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
What It Is: A study evaluating the environmental effects of a mining project.
Example: The EIA included plans to minimize water pollution.
161. Resource Estimate
What It Is: A calculation of the quantity and quality of a mineral deposit.
Example: The resource estimate indicated 5 million tons of high-grade ore.
162. Bench Height
What It Is: The vertical distance between benches in an open-pit mine.
Example: The bench height was optimized for efficient blasting and loading.
163. Overbreak
What It Is: Excessive rock removal beyond the planned excavation limits.
Example: Careful blasting techniques reduced overbreak in the underground mine.
164. Mine Hoist
What It Is: A system for lifting ore, waste, and workers in vertical shafts.
Example: The mine hoist transported ore from 800 meters underground.
165. Resource Classification
What It Is: Categorizing a mineral deposit as inferred, indicated, or measured.
Example: The deposit was classified as indicated, requiring more exploration to confirm reserves.
166. Seismic Monitoring
What It Is: Tracking ground movement to detect potential hazards in mines.
Example: Seismic monitoring helped identify unstable areas in the mine.
167. Froth Flotation
What It Is: A process that separates minerals using air bubbles and reagents.
Example: Froth flotation improved the recovery rate of copper in the ore.
168. Tailings Reprocessing
What It Is: Recovering valuable minerals from previously discarded tailings.
Example: Advances in technology allowed the reprocessing of old tailings for gold.
169. Resource Block Model
What It Is: A 3D model representing the spatial distribution of a mineral deposit.
Example: The block model provided accurate data for mine planning.
170. Drift Conveyor
What It Is: A conveyor used to move materials in underground drifts.
Example: Drift conveyors reduced manual hauling in the mine.
171. Strip Mining Ratio
What It Is: The amount of waste removed per unit of ore mined.
Example: A favorable strip mining ratio increased the mine’s profitability.
172. Geochemical Analysis
What It Is: Testing soil and rock samples for mineral content.
Example: Geochemical analysis revealed elevated nickel levels in the region.
173. Development Mining
What It Is: Preparing an area for ore extraction by creating access and infrastructure.
Example: Development mining included constructing shafts and drifts.
174. Mineral Separation Plant
What It Is: A facility for separating valuable minerals from gangue.
Example: The mineral separation plant produced high-purity concentrates.
175. Tailings Thickener
What It Is: Equipment used to remove excess water from tailings.
Example: The thickener reduced the volume of tailings sent to the storage facility.
176. Ore Body Modeling
What It Is: Creating a detailed representation of a mineral deposit.
Example: Ore body modeling helped optimize extraction techniques.
177. Grade Reconciliation
What It Is: Comparing planned vs. actual ore grades mined.
Example: Grade reconciliation ensured that production targets were met.
178. Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
What It Is: A machine used for excavating circular tunnels in rock.
Example: A TBM was deployed to create a ventilation shaft for the mine.
179. Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP)
What It Is: A gold recovery process where gold is absorbed onto activated carbon.
Example: The CIP method efficiently extracted gold from slurry.
180. Bioleaching
What It Is: Using bacteria to extract metals from ores.
Example: Bioleaching offered a sustainable alternative for copper extraction.
181. Ore Sorting Machine
What It Is: Equipment that separates ore from waste based on sensor data.
Example: The ore sorting machine improved the overall grade of material sent to the mill.
182. Decline Portal
What It Is: The entrance to an inclined access tunnel in a mine.
Example: The decline portal was reinforced with concrete for stability.
183. Mineral Liberation
What It Is: Separating valuable minerals from the surrounding rock matrix.
Example: Fine grinding improved mineral liberation during processing.
184. Run-of-Pit (ROP)
What It Is: Material extracted directly from the pit without additional sorting.
Example: The ROP material was transported to the crusher.
185. Ore Reserve Statement
What It Is: A formal declaration of the volume and quality of reserves.
Example: The ore reserve statement detailed 10 million tons of proven reserves.
186. Flue Gas Scrubber
What It Is: Equipment that removes harmful gases from smelting exhaust.
Example: The flue gas scrubber minimized emissions during smelting.
187. Overcut Stope
What It Is: A stope excavated above the main ore zone.
Example: The overcut stope was used to access higher-grade ore.
188. Column Flotation
What It Is: A flotation process using tall columns for better mineral separation.
Example: Column flotation enhanced the recovery of fine gold particles.
189. Mining Explosives
What It Is: Materials used for breaking rock in mining operations.
Example: Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) is a commonly used mining explosive.
190. Exploration Permit
What It Is: Legal authorization to conduct exploration activities in a specific area.
Example: The exploration permit allowed drilling in a promising mineral zone.
191. Ventilation Shaft
What It Is: A vertical tunnel used to circulate fresh air in mines.
Example: The ventilation shaft was essential for worker safety underground.
192. Bulk Sample
What It Is: A large sample of ore taken for testing and analysis.
Example: The bulk sample confirmed the deposit’s potential for commercial mining.
193. Cutoff Wall
What It Is: A physical barrier to prevent water inflow in open-pit mines.
Example: The cutoff wall was crucial in controlling groundwater intrusion.
194. Tailings Dam Breach
What It Is: The failure of a dam containing mining tailings.
Example: Emergency plans were developed to mitigate risks of a tailings dam breach.
195. Solvent Extraction
What It Is: A chemical process to separate and purify metals.
Example: Solvent extraction recovered high-purity cobalt from ore.
196. Geotechnical Stability
What It Is: The assessment of structural integrity in mining areas.
Example: Geotechnical stability was maintained to prevent slope failures.
197. High-Grade Zone
What It Is: A section of a deposit with significantly higher mineral content.
Example: The high-grade zone was mined first to maximize profitability.
198. Ore Recovery Circuit
What It Is: The system used to extract and refine ore.
Example: Improvements to the ore recovery circuit increased efficiency.
199. Groundwater Management
What It Is: Strategies to control water in and around mining sites.
Example: Groundwater management prevented flooding in the open-pit mine.
200. Sustainable Mining
What It Is: Mining practices that prioritize environmental and social responsibility.
Example: Sustainable mining initiatives included land rehabilitation and renewable energy use.
Mining is a multifaceted industry with a wealth of specialized terminology. Understanding these 200 terms provides valuable insight into the technical, environmental, and operational aspects of the field. Whether you’re a professional, investor, or enthusiast, mastering this vocabulary will enhance your knowledge and engagement with mining. 🌟
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