There are many terms in the mining sector that we use constantly but are not sure what they mean. When topics frequently encountered in proposals and reports are added to these, understanding the text we read becomes even more difficult. In such cases, the answers given to the previously asked questions below may be useful for you to define the problem.
1. What is a Resource? What is a Reserve?
A "Resource" is the total discovered mineralization that has the potential for eventual economic extraction as exploration progresses. A "Reserve" is the part of a resource that has been discovered and evaluated to a specific level of confidence and is legally and economically mineable. For more details, you can review international reserve reporting codes.
2. What are JORC and NI 43-101? Why do they exist?
These are international reporting standards used to declare exploration results, mineral resources, and ore reserves. Relevant institutions in mining countries like Australia (JORC), Canada (NI 43-101), and Turkey (UMREK) regulate these reports through strict guidelines to ensure that investors receive objective, accurate, and transparent information regarding data that is otherwise subject to interpretation.
3. Why should we care about JORC, NI 43-101, UMREK, and similar reporting?
These reports are prepared by Competent Persons (CP) or Qualified Persons (QP) who are bound by reputable professional organizations and subject to their sanctions. The signatories are personally responsible for the reliability and integrity of the data and interpretations presented in the report.
4. What is Ore? Is every mineralization ore? What is the limit?
Theoretically, we can define "ore" as the "rock" that is valuable to you. While every mineral enrichment can be a mineralization, it only becomes ore when it reaches an economic level that provides profit based on your calculated price parameters. When you see very low-grade enrichments described as "ore" in reports, do not be surprised; instead, investigate whether they might reach economic value in the near future.
5. Can geologists at all levels use 3D computer-aided design programs?
They can and they should learn to use them. Young professionals are already dealing with much more complex structures in social media or FPS games. In today's conditions, this is no longer a luxury; provide your personnel with the necessary training support and demand results in a 3D environment.
6. What is an "Ore Model"? Why is it necessary?
A model is a 3D digital representation of what exists in reality. In both exploration and production stages, you gain much better control than working with 2D sections and field data alone. Furthermore, decision-making is not left to a single person; the entire team is involved. You gain analytical data about your ore assets and can track production stages more effectively from start to finish.
7. What is Geostatistics for? How is it used?
It is used to point-estimate the large volumes of rock located between widely spaced drill holes and other sampling points. These estimates are based on mathematical functions (such as Kriging), but the geologist's interpretation remains paramount. Although the work concludes on a computer, you must follow a systematic path in all steps, from your drilling plans to the utilization of assay results.
8. What is the "Nugget Effect" actually?
Whether used when discussing high-grade zones in gold mineralization or when a visible gold grain is encountered, this term is essentially a statistical concept. It represents the value on the variogram axis at the point where the distance is minimum (0). Simply put, it is the randomness or "noise" within a narrow area. A sudden spike in grade value in nature can cause a nugget effect in that region.
9. I want to sell my mining license; what technical elements will make the process easier?
You must maintain the coordinates, photographs, and assay results of all significant points, outcrops, and samples beyond any doubt. If you have conducted drilling, you must leave duplicate samples in core boxes as witnesses. These boxes must be stored in a suitable environment with all elements (meter markings, blocks, box numbers, etc.) intact. Photos should be taken at a certain standard and clarity prior to sampling.
10. Why is geology becoming more important in mineral exploration?
Mineralizations that are partially visible on the surface have been discovered for thousands of years. Detecting mineralizations hidden beneath the soil requires geological knowledge and the expertise provided by science. If more risky exploration projects are on the table, geology's job is to target the best possibilities and narrow the focus area.
11. How should geophysics be used in the mineral exploration process?
After geological and alteration mapping—or at the very least, identifying a mineralization trend—geophysical lines and planar details should be designed to intersect this trend perpendicularly. The geologist must decide on the next stage, the drilling plan, by analyzing all geological and geophysical data in 3D.
12. Can remote sensing be applied to every type of mineralization?
Remote sensing is a method that can be used during the strategy phase of the exploration stage on a "very large scale." While it can occasionally work in detail, the region must be quite arid so that the signal recovery provides a healthy contrast. If you do not expect your mineralization indicators to be near the surface or visible, do not expect remote sensing to be beneficial.
13. Is the Core Yard (Core Shed) really that important?
You must perform the drilling process, your largest exploration and development expense, with "meticulous" care to eliminate any possibility of "negligence." A detail missed while examining cores can lead to missed opportunities, and an incorrectly sampled interval will affect all your investment decisions and production calculations. Furthermore, the cores of your drillings will be the first thing inspected when you wish to sell your project.
14. “Spreadsheet” and data processing... Was Excel really that valuable?
By technical necessity, mining is performed with data assigned to points registered in a coordinate system. This means even a single project can involve millions of cells of data. Excel is the most accessible tool for managing this data, with vast support potential. Analyzing your data with formulas and macros is inevitable, as geology values relativity.
15. What is Corporate Culture? Is it costly? Is it worth the trouble?
An organization is a spiritual entity formed by people with established principles. It is costly if you only wish to decorate it. However, if you define your goals, principles, and procedures, you become corporate; the momentary state of mind of individuals will have the least possible impact on project decisions. Following procedures minimizes uncertainty and human error.
16. What do quality management systems and documentation do for us?
The fact that work is recorded step-by-step ensures that employees are clearly aware of their responsibilities. This prevents unnecessary initiative-taking and reduces the probability of negligence, professional blindness, and occupational accidents. It also serves as an excellent guide for new personnel taking over the work.
17. Is there an advantage to working on a Server or Network?
Geological data acquisition is a difficult process. Data saved and backed up on a server facilitates teamwork and prevents dependency on individuals, increasing work quality. If you do not show the necessary care to data, you might have to repeat those arduous field trips and climb those mountains again.
18. The importance of personnel training; what is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?
It can be defined as an employee with insufficient skill in a subject overestimating their abilities. Everyone can experience this at certain periods. By interacting with newer and better practices, personnel can realize their inadequacies and develop themselves. Training, trade fairs, and symposiums are ways to interact with the outside world.
19. Does “Cost Reduction” work for every type of mining?
It might not. Mining is a process that progresses with experience. If your operation is not large-scale and you have been familiar with your mineralization for a very long time, you have likely already reached the most economic levels through the experience you have gained.
20. Can we no longer find “good prospects”?
You can. If metal prices increase significantly, many low-quality/low-grade deposits can gain economic status. Furthermore, although they may not outcrop, you can make relatively risky attempts using geological indicators to find covered deposits.
21. What is the status of metallic mineral potential in Turkey?
It is not a dream to say that the mineral resource amount predicted for our country, located where three active continents squeeze each other, is much more than thought. The only issue is that this resource is deep or under cover, waiting to be found by those who can take the risk.
22. Is mapping still necessary? What is the deal with alteration?
Mapping involves plotting elements on a plane. While general geological maps exist, mineral exploration requires detailed maps. If we cannot see the ore directly, recognizing and mapping the alteration surrounding the mineralization is the key to reaching the target.
23. How much does the origin of the ore interest us?
If we know the geological belt and main structural elements, we can look for the general known model belonging to the expected ore origin. Based on structural, morphological, and geochemical data, as well as alteration mapping, various evaluations can be made targeting this origin.
24. Drill until you find it, or say “enough drilling”?
Decide this in light of your principles and pre-defined exploration strategy. Corporate procedures help clarify the points to stop or continue based on data rather than emotional decisions.
25. We hired a new graduate geological engineer; what should we expect?
You can expect them to digitize the project in 3D and collect all required data meticulously. Do not desire an "enterprising" geologist in a short time. Unfounded self-confidence without proof costs you resources, time, and personnel.
26. We hired a senior geological engineer; what should we expect?
You can expect them to audit the reliability of the project, prevent negligence, and analyze data to develop concepts. By providing appropriate authorization and trust, you should ask them to detect problems even if they struggle with immediate solutions.
27. We assigned a sampler; what should we expect?
Besides the normal workflow, they must continuously ensure the organization and cleanliness of the core yard for which they are responsible and maintain rigorous standards to prevent contamination.
28. We performed many drillings; how should we store core boxes?
Core boxes contain vital logged information. Sun and humidity affect the legibility of markings over time. Boxes should be stacked on a solid (preferably concrete) base, protected by a membrane. Stacking diagrams should be kept, and preferably, box data should be attached with embossed tags.
29. What should I ask my rig geologists or drillers to prioritize?
It is beneficial to process problematic areas, water losses, and structural elements by meter intervals in borehole reports without neglect. Consulting with the driller before starting a new hole based on geologist interpretations helps prevent operational issues.
30. How much does the rock sampling method affect the investment decision?
Sampling a random 20-30 cm area on a vein outcrop only gives you a random element query result. Sampling by cutting across the trend (channel sampling) or separating phases gives the clearest info about the ore mass. This is critical for deciding on subsequent multi-million dollar steps.
