Definition: Regional investigation to identify anomalies (geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical) and discover occurrences.

Definition: Detailed surface exploration to delineate anomalies and describe occurrences in their refined geological context.

Definition: Subsurface exploration using the low costs techniques (trenching, destructive drilling, etc.), of resources appraisal.

Definition: Drafting of a very preliminary geological map with the main formations and the main structures, including the location of discovered mineral showings.

Definition: The detection of abnormal concentrations of chemical elements in superficial water, soils or organisms, usually accomplished by instrumental, spot-test, or rapid techniques which are applicable in the field.

Definition: Exploration technique based on the detection of anomalous physical characteristics of a ground.

Definition: Prospecting with a hand-held washing tool, usually shaped like a plate or a flat cone, at the bottom of which the densest fractions of a soil, a stream sediment are collected.

Definition: Detailed geological mapping of the area(s) of interest.

Definition: Detailed surveys (often on a grid) with the most appropriate method, in order to confirm and better delineate and characterize geochemical anomalies identified during the previous phase.

Definition: Detailed surveys (often on a grid) with the most appropriate method, in order to confirm and better delineate and characterize geophysical anomalies identified during the previous phase.

Definition: Detail prospecting in a local scale with a hand-held washing tool, usually shaped like a plate or a flat cone, at the bottom of which the densest fractions of a soil, a stream sediment are collected.

Definition: Shallow ditch from which a sample can be taken and a geological observation made.

Definition: Drilling of a cylindrical hole with an ad hoc tool in order to collect a rock sample, or to carry out a physical measurement or a geological observation. By extension, designates also the drill hole, whatever the latter's purpose. In this case drilling is performed by means of an auger, i.e. with a helical screw which is driven into the ground with rotation.

Definition: The aim of this phase is the (still rough) delineation of the envelope of an orebody. Logging of cores, sampling of mineralized sections to better understand the distinctive features of the deposit, the physical properties of the ore, and finally to lead to a first (still approximate) calculation of the resource.

Definition: This the final phase of evaluation leading to the final yes/no mining decision.

Definition: Drilling of a cylindrical hole with an ad hoc tool in order to collect a rock sample, or to carry out a physical measurement or a geological observation. By extension, designates also the drill hole, whatever the latter's purpose. In this case, drilling is performed with a percussion tool.

Definition: Technique designed to treat run of mine material.

Definition: Rough evaluation of the to
age and grade essentially based on drill holes information, by correlation and interpolation of intersected mineralized sections.

Definition: Drilling of a cylindrical hole with an ad hoc tool in order to collect a rock sample, or to carry out a physical measurement or a geological observation. By extension, designates also the drill hole, whatever the latter's purpose. Boreholes are drilled by coring. This technique is used to collect undisturbed rock cylinders and allows to confirm/to precise results from percussion drilling.

Definition: Compilation and synthesis of all the available geological information in order to get an as precise as possible model of the mineral resource.

Definition: Technical economic study aimed at assessing the possibility to launching a mine venture.

Definition: Technique based on probability theory that is used to compute regionalized variables, the values of which depend on their position in space, such as the metal content or grade in a deposit.

Definition: Intermediate phase between laboratory tests and actual plant.

Definition: Reco
aissance workings aimed at getting a better understanding of the deposit, and allowing to get large ore samples for detailed beneficiation tests.

Definition: The evaluation of the ore deposit with the aim of getting very detailed information on the whole deposit and best quality samples. This the final phase of evaluation leading to the final yes/no mining decision

Definition: Drilling in order to collect intact rock sample cores, or to carry out a physical measurement or a geological observation. Can confirm results from obtained from percussion drilling.

Definition: The assessment of the resource using percussion drilling, sometimes on a grid with a wide mesh. The aim of this phase is the (still rough) delineation of the envelope of an orebody. Drill logging, sampling of mineralized sections to better understand the distinctive features of the deposit, the physical properties of the ore, and finally to lead to a first (still approximate) calculation of the resource.