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Technical GlossaryacidPertaining to an igneous rock containing more than 66 per cent silica. alterationChange in the mineralogical composition of a rock, commonly brought about by reactions with hydrothermal solutions. anomaly / anomalousAn occurrence of geochemical or geophysical values distinct from background levels which may be caused by the presence of mineralization. antimonyMetal associated with certain types of gold deposit, chemical symbol Sb. arsenicMetal associated with certain types of gold deposit, chemical symbol As. arsenopyriteAn iron-arsenic sulphide, chemical composition FeAsS. assayA chemical test performed on a sample of ores or minerals to determine the amount of valuable metals contained. bankable feasibility studyAn extensive technical and financial study to assess the commercial viability of a project, of sufficient detail and integrity that it can be used to arrange project financing. base-metalGenerally non-ferrous, non-precious metal, mainly copper, lead, zinc, nickel and aluminium. bio-oxidationThe use of bacteria to oxidise sulphide minerals. brecciaA rock fragmented into angular components. brecciatedConverted into, characterised by, or resembling a breccia. carbonateA sedimentary rock, comprised largely of mineral containing CO3. carbonate dissolutionThe process of dissolving carbonate rock. carboniferousPeriod in geological time ranging from 345 to 280 million years ago. carlin-typeRefers to a type of gold deposit first recognised in the Carlin area of Nevada, USA, and characterised by gold-bearing disseminated pyrite, carbonate dissolution, alteration and silicification of carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks. cyanidationA method of extracting exposed gold or silver grains from crushed or ground ore by dissolving it in a weak solution of sodium- or calcium-cyanide. Also known as leaching. May be carried out in agitated tanks or by irrigating ore stacked in large heaps or dumps. diamond drillingDrilling method which obtains a cylindrical core of rock by drilling with an annular bit impregnated with diamonds. environmental impact studySurvey conducted to ascertain the conditions of a site prior to the realisation of a project, to analyse its possible impacts and compensative measures. exploration permitA permit granted in Spain with a maximum size of 280 square kilometres, on which regional sampling programmes are allowed. felsicDescriptive of a light-coloured igneous rock with an abundance of one or all of feldspar, quartz and feldspathoids. flotationA milling process by which some mineral particles are induced to become attached to bubbles and float and others to sink. In this way the valuable minerals are concentrated and separated from the worthless gangue. footwallThe mass of rock below a fault, vein, bed or mineralization. geochemistry / geochemicalRelating to the chemistry of rock, sediment or soil. g/tGrams per tonne. gradeThe concentration of a particular element in a mass of rock, sediment or soil. graniteA coarse-grained granular acid intrusive rock. host rockA body of rock serving as a host for other rocks or for mineral deposits. hydrothermalOf or relating to the action of water under conditions of high temperature, especially in forming rocks and minerals. iberian pyrite beltA prominent geological terrain extending from southwest Spain into southern Portugal, which is one of the world's largest massive sulphide provinces. igneous rockA rock formed by congealing rapidly or slowly from a molten state. indicated mineral resourceThat part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable level of confidence. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm geological and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough for continuity to be assumed. inferred mineral resourceThat part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological evidence and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes which may be limited or of uncertain quality and reliability. infill drillingDrilling designed to fill or close gaps between existing drill holes. intrusion / intrusiveIgneous rock body that has forced its way in a molten state into older surrounding country rock. intrusion-relatedRefers to a type of gold mineralization hosted and/or related to intrusive rocks, often granite. investigation permitA permit granted in Spain with a maximum size of 84 square kilometres, on which detailed investigation activities are allowed including drilling and trenching. lodeA tabular, relatively narrow mineral deposit. massive sulphideA sulphide body containing over 50 per cent of sulphide minerals. measured mineral resourceThat part of a Mineral Resource for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. It is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and grade continuity. mercuryMetal associated with certain types of gold deposit, chemical symbol Hg. metallurgical testworkScientific tests on the extraction, refining, alloying and fabrication of metals and of their structure and properties. mineral processingThe dry and wet crushing and grinding of ore or other mineral bearing products for the purpose of raising concentrate grade, removal of waste and unwanted or deleterious substances from an otherwise useful product, separation into distinct species of mixed minerals or chemical attack and dissolution of selected values. mineral resourceA concentration or occurrence of material of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, quality 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 or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. mineralizationThe concentration of metals and their chemical compounds in a body of rock. mineralogyThe study of minerals. mining concessionA permit granted in Spain which allows mining activities. open pitA mine working or excavation open to the surface. oreMaterial which can be extracted and/or treated at a profit. ounce / ozTroy ounce (31.1035 grams). oxidationA chemical reaction caused by exposure to oxygen that results in a change in the chemical composition of a mineral. ppmParts per million, equivalent to g/t. pyriteAn iron-bearing sulphide mineral, chemical composition FeS2. reverse circulation (rc) drillingA percussion drilling technique where air is pumped down the outer part of the drill rods and used to return drill chips to surface. roastingThe heating of an ore or concentrate to effect some chemical change which will facilitate metal extraction. satellite imageryImages of the Earth's surface captured by satellite by means of photography and/or spectroscopy. scoping studyA preliminary order-of-magnitude technical and economic study conducted to investigate the approximate economics and viability of various development options for the mining and treatment of a mineral deposit. shear zoneA tabular zone in the Earth's crust along which movement has occurred and in which the rocks have been crushed, stretched or flattened. silicatadoRock unit occurring at the La Zarza deposit comprising silicate minerals, dominantly quartz, and sulphide, with significant concentrations of gold, copper and silver. silicificationAddition of silica to a rock. stockworkA network of veinlets, usually containing quartz. strikeThe orientation of the long horizontal dimension of a planar or tabular geological feature such as a bed, vein or fault. strike lengthThe length of a geological feature along the direction of its strike. sulphideA compound of sulphur with a metallic element. trenchingThe removal of cover to allow mapping and sampling of the underlying rock. tungstenA white or grey metallic element, chemical symbol W. ultra-fine grindingSecondary grinding of ore to very fine grain sizes, usually in the 10 to 20 micron range, in special small grinding mills. volcanicIgneous rocks formed from magma that has flowed out or has been violently ejected from a volcano. volcano-sedimentaryRock formation containing alternations volcanic and sedimentary rock types. W03Tungsten trioxide, the standard chemical compound used to quote tungsten contents. |
