Terms

Geological zone where mineralogy changes between oxide and sulphide ore, often requiring different processing methods.

Ore displaying mixed oxide–sulphide mineralogy, requiring blended or specialised processing flowsheets.

Material that has geological continuity but does not meet economic criteria at current prices or technology levels.

Ore with grade below cut-off but that may become economic under different conditions.

Underground mining method where ore is blasted from sublevels beneath the orebody, causing it to cave under gravity.

Extension of a rock unit or vein located just below shallow cover, detectable via drilling or geophysics.

Rock unit occurring beneath soil or shallow cover, representing buried extensions of outcrops.

Mining technique using suction pumps to extract sediments from rivers or seafloor, often for gold or tin.

Mineral containing sulphur as a major anion. Hosts key metals like Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Au. Important in flotation metallurgy.

Element (S) used in sulphuric acid production. Forms sulphides and sulphates in ore deposits.

Secondary concentration of metals near the surface due to weathering, leaching and reprecipitation. Produces high-grade zones.

Particles suspended in water or process streams. High levels indicate turbidity and influence tailings and water treatment.