Classification of mineral deposits

Classification of mineral deposits

Mineral is a solid, naturally occurring inorganic substance. Mineral is having definite chemical composition.

Mineral Resource and Mineral reserve both are quite a different thing. Many of the candidates are confused in the classification of mineral deposit. In mineral resource, mineral quality and quantity below the surface are taken into consideration. Weather mineral is economical, practically and technically mineable or not.

We can sub categorise mineral resource into inferred, indicated and measured. Where inferred indicates a low level of certainty and measured indicates a high level of certainty.

In inferred level mineral resource, knowledge is accumulated by pits, outcrops, drilling of less certain quality and authenticity.

In indicated resources, samples are taken and analysed for getting an idea about deposit from pits, outcrops and drilling. As a result, we get details about the grade of ore, tonnage, dimension and other physiochemical properties of mineral. It is more accurate than inferred resources and less accurate than measured resources.

In measured resources, a detailed study is done on a sample collected from area excavated or drilled for getting more specific and deep information about ore deposit by a competent person. It is more accurate than inferred resource and indicated resource.

Mineral reserves are of two types “Probable Reserves” and “Proved Reserves”. A probable reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated or a measured mineral resource.  A Preliminary Feasibility Study is done on deposit, which includes information on mining, processing, metallurgical and other factors.

A proven reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource.  A Preliminary Feasibility Study is done on deposit, which includes information on mining, processing, metallurgical and other factors. A proven reserve is more accurate compared to probable reserve.

Application of Geology to mining

Geology is the study of the earth's crust and its rock formations, and includes classifying and mapping of the composition and distribution of mineral deposits contained in the earth's formations. In the mining industry, we use the knowledge of geology in finding out new resources and get more details of existing resources. 

Role of Geology in Mining Industry

Geology has a very important role in mining engineering. We apply and use knowledge of Geology from exploration to extraction stage of mining. Geology also helps us in identifying mineral resources, efficient and economic mining, and determining the space of economic and practical mining exists or not.

Activities of geology in mining industry include mapping, recording of data, and compiling geological data, exploring, sampling mineral deposits, mapping the geology of a mine, presenting data; checking the quality levels of mineral, classifying resources, assessing geo-techniques, and updating detailed databases etc.

Geology provides guidance on the geological sides of development and production in mine, pit and quarry sites. In supervision drilling and surface exploration programs, and also help to define likely directions for future development in mines.

Geology makes the mining engineers to guarantee the quality of the minerals. As geologists are often responsible for estimating the mine reserve, ore grade and guide in geological disconformities.

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