Mining Glossary A
- Acidic precipitation - Snow and rain that have a low pH, caused by sulphur oxide and nitric oxide gases from industrial activity released into the atmosphere.
- Acidic precipitation - Snow and rain thathave a low pH, caused by sulphur oxide and nitric oxide gases from industrial activity released into the atmosphere.
- Acidic rocks - Igneous rock carrying a high (greater than 65%) proportion of silica.
- Acid mine drainage- Acidic run-off water from mine waste dumps and mill tailings ponds containing sulphide minerals. Also refers to ground water pumped to surface from mines.
- Adit - An opening driven horizontally into the side of a mountain or hill for providing access to a mineral deposit.
- Aerial magnetometer- An instrument used to measure magnetic field strength from an airplane.
- Aeromagnetic survey- A geophysicalsurvey using a magnetometer aboard, or towed behind, an aircraft.
- Agglomerate - A breccia composedlargely or entirely of fragments of volcanic rocks.
- Agglomeration - A method of concentrating valuable minerals based on their adhesion properties.
- Agitation- In metallurgy, the act orstate of being stirred or shaken mechanically, sometimes accomplished by the introduction of compressed air.
- Airborne survey - A survey made froman aircraft to obtain photographs, or measure magnetic properties, radioactivity, etc.
- Alloy - A compound of two or moremetals.
- Alluvium - Relatively recent depositsof sedimentary material laid down in river beds, flood plains, lakes, or at the base of mountain slopes. (Adj. alluvial)
- Alpha meter - An instrument used tomeasure positively charged particles emitted by radioactive materials.
- Alpha ray - A positively charged particle emitted by certain radioactive materials.
- Alteration - Any physical or chemical change in a rock or mineral subsequent to its formation. Milder and more localized than metamorphism.
- Amorphous - A term applied to rocksor minerals that possess no definite crystal structure or form, such as amorphous carbon.
- Amortization - The gradual and systematic writing off of a balance in an account over an appropriate period.
- Amphibolite - A gneiss or schist largely made up of amphibole and plagioclase minerals.
- ANFO - Acronym for ammoniumnitrate and fuel oil, a mixture used as a blasting agent in many mines.
- Annual report - The formal financialstatements and report on operations issued by a Corporation to its shareholders after its fiscal year-end.
- Anode - A rectangular plate of metal cast in a shape suitable for refining by the electrolytic process.
- Anomaly - Any departure from the norm which may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying bedrock.
- Anthracite - A hard, black coal containing a high percentage of fixed carbon and a low percentage of volatile matter.
- Anticline - An arch or fold in layersof rock shaped like the crest of a wave.
- Apex - The top or terminal edge ofa vein on surface or its nearest point to the surface.
- Ash - The inorganic residue remaining after ignition of coal.
- Assay - A chemical test performedon a sample of ores or minerals to determine the amount of valuable metals contained.
- Assay foot (meter, inch, centimeter)– The assay value multiplied by the number of feet, metres, inches, centimetres across which the sample is taken.
- Assay map - Plan view of an area indicating assay values and locations of all samples taken on the property.
- Assessment work - The amount ofwork, specified by mining law, that must be performed each year in order to retain legal control of mining claims.
- Authorized capital - see capital stock.
- Autogenous grinding - The process ofgrinding ore in a rotating cylinder using large pieces of the ore instead of conventional steel balls or rods.
Superior Gyro Crusher Mineralogy Manual Closed-Circuit Calculations Closed Tube Test Various Crusher Types & Differences Double Refraction in Minerals and Pyroelectricity Flotation Selectivity of Xanthate How a Grate Discharge Ball Mill Works Oligoclase Composition, Crystallization & Structure How to Operate a Portland Cement Plant Previous Environmental Disasters Grinding Rods (new) Oxides of the Semimetals and Metals Crushing Cavity Selection Types of Flotation Collectors
