Terms

Ability of rock or soil to transmit fluids. Key parameter in hydrogeology, dewatering, and leach design.

The water table surface separating saturated and unsaturated zones. Critical for tailings dam stability.

Low–medium grade metamorphic rock derived from shale, with fine foliation.

Concentration of heavy minerals (gold, tin, zircon, monazite) formed by mechanical weathering and gravity separation.

Metal occurring in nature in its elemental form, such as gold, silver, copper and platinum.

Hydrocarbon liquids (ethane, propane, butane) separated from natural gas during processing.

Naturally occurring materials of economic value, such as minerals, coal, oil, water, timber.

A rare earth element essential for high-strength permanent magnets used in EV motors and wind turbines.

The sum of discounted future cashflows to measure project value. A positive NPV indicates value creation; sensitive to discount rate, CAPEX, OPEX and commodity price forecasts.

Nickel-rich weathered deposits processed via HPAL, atmospheric leach or ferronickel smelting. Important for battery and stainless steel industries.

Nickel ore hosted in magmatic sulphide systems. Easier to process than laterites and key for high-grade battery materials.

Metals that do not contain significant iron, such as copper, aluminium, nickel, zinc, and lead.