| Adit |
An opening driven horizontally into the side of a mountain or hill for the purposes of providing access to mineral deposits. |
| Ag |
Chemical symbol for silver. |
| Alteration |
Change in the mineral composition of a rock, commonly due to hydrothermal activity. |
| Amphiboles |
An important group of generally dark-colored rock-forming inosilicate minerals, composed of double chain SiO4 tetrahedra, linked at the vertices and generally containing ions of iron and/or magnesium in their structures. |
| Anglesite |
A lead sulfate mineral, PbSO4. |
| Andesite |
The dark, aphanitic, extrusive rock that has a silica content of about 60% and is the second most abundant volcanic rock. Andesites are found in large quantities in the Andes Mountains. |
| Anticline |
A fold that is convex upward (an arch). |
| Anomalies |
Any departure from the norm which may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying bedrock. |
| Antimonite |
A sulphide of antimony. |
| Antimony |
A silver-white, hard, crystalline metallic element, related to arsenic and tin. |
| Argentite |
A mineral which belongs to the galena group, is cubic silver sulfide (Ag2S). It is occasionally found as uneven cubes and octahedra, but more often as dendritic or earthy masses, with a blackish lead-grey color and metallic luster. |
| arsenopyrite |
Arsenic-iron sulphide mineral. |
| Assay |
The result of chemical testing of rock samples to determine the mineral or metal content. |
| Atomic Absorption |
Uses the absorption of light to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms. |
| Au |
Chemical symbol for gold. |
| Basic |
Generic geological term used to describe igneous rocks comparatively low in silica content; generally dark in colour. |
| Belt |
A series of mineral deposits occurring in close proximity to each other with a common origin. |
| Booked Reserves |
Russian terminology to denote the state approved reserves or mineral blocks considered to be economic at the time of the reserve estimate. |
| Bonanza |
Colloquial term for an extremely high grade ore deposit. |
| Boudinage |
Structure where beds are divided by cross-fracturing to produce pillow like lenses which occur in series producing a feature resembling sausage links. |
| Breccia (brecciation) |
Angular, broken fragments of rock cemented together with a fine grained matrix. Typically associated with faulting or other tectonic processes. |
| Calcite |
Mineral composed of calcium carbonate. |
| Cerussite |
Also known as lead carbonate, Cerussite is an important ore of lead. A variety of Cerussite containting 7% zinc carbonate is known as Iglesiasite, named for the region of Italy where it is found. |
| chalcedony |
Refers to various types of colored quartz, usually those with a milky appearance like carnelian, agate, cat's eye, and jasper. |
| Chip sample |
A method of sampling of rock exposure whereby a regular series of small chips of rock is broken off along a line across the face. |
| Chlorite |
Dark-green mica mineral, usually formed during metamorphism at low temperatures and pressures. |
| CIM |
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. |
| Concentrate |
Material that has been processed to increase the content of contained metal or mineral relative to the contained waste. |
| Craton |
A relatively immobile part of the Earth's crust. |
| Cut-off grade |
Term specific to mineral resource and reserve estimation and mine operations defining the lowest grade of mineralization that can be mined and processed to produce a profit. |
| Cyanidation |
A standard method of extracting gold and silver from crushed or ground mineralized rock using sodium cyanide in solution with water. |
| Dacite |
Volcanic rock (or lava) that characteristically is light in color and contains 62 to 69 percent silica and moderate amounts of sodium and potassium. |
| Diatreme |
A volcanic pipe consisting largely of breccia. |
| Drill hole |
Primary exploration method for testing mineralized zones below the surface. A drill (rotary, percussion, diamond drill) is used to penetrate the rock returning samples of the rock in the form of either fragments or as complete cylinders. |
| Drusy Quartz |
Tiny quartz crystals growing on the surface of a gemstone. |
| Electrum |
Naturally occurring amalgam of gold and silver. |
| Epidote |
A silicate of alumina, lime, and oxide of iron, or manganese. |
| Fluorite |
A cubic or dipyramal shaped mineral that comes in blue, purple, yellow, and green. |
| Flotation |
A separation process in which ore minerals are induced to attach to bubbles and float while non-ore minerals sink. |
| Freibergite |
A complex sulfide of silver, copper, iron, antimony and arsenic. |
| Galena |
A lead mineral, which occurs with sphalerite in hydrothermal veins, also in sedimentary rocks as replacement deposits; an important source of lead and silver. |
| Gamma-activation |
A very widely applicable technique for determining the presence and amount of many elements simultaneously in samples ranging in size from micrograms to many grams. |
| Gold |
A yellow malleable ductile high density metallic element resistant to chemical reaction, often occurring naturally in quartz veins and gravel, and precious as a monetary medium, in jewellery, etc. Symbol — Au. |
| g |
Grams. |
| Gneisses |
A common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from preexisting formations. |
| Grade |
The amount of valuable metal in each tonne or rock, expressed as grams per tonne for precious metals. |
| |
Cut-off grade — is the minimum metal grade at which a tonne of rock can be mined and processed at a profit. |
| |
Recovered grade — is actual metal grade realized by the metallurgical process and treatment or ore, based on actual experience or laboratory testing. |
| Grandiorite |
An intrusive igneous rock similar to granite, but contains more plagioclase than potassium feldspar. |
| Greenschist |
Is a general field petrologic term applied to metamorphic and/or altered mafic volcanic rock. |
| Hydromica |
Common term used to describe sericite and/or illite. |
| Hydroxide |
A compound formed by the union of a metal or a radical with one or more hydroxyl (OH) groups, as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). |
| Hardrock Gold |
Gold encased in rock. |
| Induced Polarization |
A method of ground geophysical surveying employing an electrical current to determine indications of mineralization. |
| Inferred Resource |
Has the meaning attributed to it in 43-101. |
| Infill Drilling |
Drill holes falling within a deposit previously identified by pre-existing drill holes. |
| Interfluve |
The area between two adjacent streams flowing in the same direction. |
| Kaolinite |
A crystalline, hydrous silicate of aluminum, the chief constituent of kaolin and some other clays. |
| km2 |
Square kilometres. |
| Lithological |
Term expressing the stony structure or character of a mineral mass. |
| m2 or m3 |
Square metres or cubic metres. |
| Magnetic Survey |
A geophysical survey that measures the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field. |
| Metasomatic |
The process of practically simultaneous capillary solution and deposition by which a new mineral of partly or wholly different chemical composition may grow within the body of an existing mineral. |
| Metallogeny |
Metallogeny is the study of the genesis of mineral deposits. |
| Mineral Resource |
Defined in the "CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines" adopted August, 2000. |
| Mineral Reserves |
Defined in the "CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines" adopted August, 2000. |
| Mineralized Zone |
An enriched zone of mineral deposits around an igneous intrusion. |
| Morphology |
The observation of the form of lands. |
| Mylonitization |
The process of forming mylonite. |
| Moz |
Million ounces. |
| NI 43-101 |
National Instrument 43-101 — Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. |
| Native Silver |
A relatively pure silver often containing significant amounts of mercury (up to 20%) and antimony (up to 5%). |
| Orogenic |
Pertaining to deformation of a continental margin to the extent that a mountain range is formed. |
| Orographic |
Caused by the features of mountains, usually applied to the physical effect mountains have on climate. |
| Ounces |
Troy ounces of 31.103 grams, or 1.097 Avoirdupois ounces. |
| Oxidation |
The process of combining with oxygen; commonly used to describe surface weathering of sulphide minerals. |
| Pb |
Chemical symbol for lead. |
| Planimeter |
A technical drawing instrument used to measure the surface area of an arbitrary two-dimensional shape. |
| Polyacrylamide |
Polyacrylamide is an acrylate polymer (-CH2CHCONH2-) formed from acrylamide subunits that is readily cross-linked. |
| Poly-metallic |
Refers to a substance comprised of a combination of different metals. |
| Porphyry |
An igneous rock of any composition that contains conspicuous pheno-crysts (larger, well-formed mineral grains) in a finer-grained groundmass. |
| Pyrargyrite |
Sulfosalt mineral consisting of silver sulfantimonide, Ag3SbS3. |
| Placer |
A deposit consisting of clays, silts, sands, gravels and/or boulders where a mineral (typically gold, occasionally tin, tungsten, platinum, palladium) is present in the form of dust, flakes, grains and/or nuggets. Separation of the mineral from the unconsolidated host rocks is usually by mechanical means. |
| Plutons |
An igneous rock body formed beneath the Earth's surface from a magmatic source. |
| Polyacrylamide |
A material used to make gels for separation of mixtures of macromolecules by electrophoresis. |
| Porphyry |
An igneous rock in which relatively large crystals, called phenocrysts, are set in a fine-granted groundmass. Can be used to describe a large, low grade, mineral deposit (typically copper or copper-gold). |
| Precious metals |
Common term to distinguish gold, silver, platinum and palladium from base metals. |
| Propylitized |
A product of hydrothermal alteration recognized by the formation of quartz, chlorite and carbonate. |
| Pyrite |
A yellow iron sulphide mineral of little intrinsic value but typically associated with other, more valuable minerals. |
| Qualified person |
An individual who: (a) is an engineer or geoscientist with at least five years of experience in mineral exploration, mine development or operation, or mineral project assessment, or any combination of these; (b) has experience relevant to the subject matter of the mineral project; and (c) is a member in good standing of a professional association as defined by NI 43-101. |
| Quartz |
Hard glossy mineral consisting of silicon dioxide in crystal form; present in most rocks. |
| Rhyodacite |
Extrusive igneous rock of crystalline or glassy texture, with an intermediate composition between dacite and rhyolite. |
| Rhyolite |
A very fine grained (aphanitic) granite. |
| Russian reserves |
Reserves estimated according to Russian standard practices, not considered compliant with CIM or international resource reporting. The Russian system uses four subcategories of reserves namely A, B, C1 and C2 and three subcategories of "resources", namely, P1, P2 and P3, reflecting decreasing levels of geological confidence. In the discussion of Russian reserves in this Prospectus, the term "reserve" could be to a large extent interchangeable with the term "resources", as Russian reserves or "resources" do not have the very distinct meanings that are placed on those terms by CIM standards or other international reporting standards. Readers should be aware that P1, P2 and P3 reserves, may be reported by other sources with the term "resources". |
| |
Category A The reserves in place are known in detail. The boundaries of the deposit have been outlined by trenching, drilling, or underground workings. The quality and properties of the ore are known in sufficient detail to ensure the reliability of the projected exploitation. |
| |
Category B The reserves in place have been explored but are only known in fair detail. The boundaries of the deposit have been outlined by trenching, drilling, or underground workings. The quality and properties of the ore are known in sufficient detail to ensure the basic reliability of the projected exploitation. |
| |
Category C 1 The reserves in place have been estimated by a sparse grid of trenches, drillholes or underground workings. This category also includes reserves adjoining the boundaries of A and B reserves as well as reserves of very complex deposits in which the distribution cannot be determined even by a very dense grid. The quality and properties of the deposit are known tentatively by analyses and by analogy with known deposits of the same type. The general conditions for exploitation are known. The ore tonnage is derived from estimates of strike length, dip length and average thickness of the ore body. Allowance for barren blocks may be made statistically. |
| |
Category C 2 These reserves are based on an extremely loose exploration grid, with little data. The limits of the orebody are defined mainly by extrapolation within known geological structures, and from comparison with other similar deposits in the vicinity. The grade and mineral properties of the orebody are determined from core samples and comparison with similar mineral deposits in the area. The reserves have been extrapolated from limited data, sometimes only a single hole. This category includes reserves that are adjoining A, B, and C1 reserves in the same deposit. |
| |
Category P 1 Resources in the P1 category may extend outside the actual limits of the ore reserves defined in the C2 category. The outer limits of P1-type resources are determined indirectly by extrapolating from similar known mineral deposits in the area. P1 is the main source from which C2 reserves can be increased. |
| |
Category P 2 These resources represent possible mineral structures in known mineral deposits or ore-bearing regions. They are estimated based on geophysical and geochemical data. Morphology, mineral composition and size of the orebody are estimated by analogy with similar mineralized geologic structures in the area. |
| |
Category P 3 Any potential ore-bearing deposits are classified as resources in the P3 category. The presence of these resources relies on the theoretical definition of a "favourable geological environment". Reserve figures are derived from figures of similar deposits in the region. |
| Sericite |
A fine grained mica, either muscovite, illite, or paragonite. |
| Siderite |
Carbonate mineral with the chemical formula of FeCO3. |
| Silica |
Silicon dioxide (SiO2), a common mineral associated with mineralization; very hard. |
| Sphalerite |
A zinc mineral, which is composed of zinc and sulphur. It has a specific gravity of 3.9 to 4.1. |
| Stibnite |
A soft grey mineral; the chief ore of antimony. |
| Stockwork |
A complex system of structurally controlled or randomly oriented veins. |
| Strip Ratio |
The number of units of waste material in a surface mine that must be removed in order to extract one unit of ore. |
| Sulphides |
Several types of chemical compounds containing sulfur in its lowest oxidation number. |
| Sulphosalts |
A group of minerals that form the bulk of the ore minerals, and generally have metals such as Ag, Zn, Ni, etc. occurring with sulphur. |
| Syncline |
A fold of rock layers that is convex downwards. |
| Stratabound |
Confined by lithology or a stratum. |
| Stratigraphy |
That branch of geology which treats the formation, composition, sequence and correlation of stratified rocks. |
| Stratum |
A rock unit of uniform composition. |
| Strike |
The bearing of an inclined bed or structure on a level surface. Consider an airplane which is descending and banking during flight; strike would be equivalent of a horizontal line connecting the plane's tail to its nose; dip would be equivalent to the line defined by the plane's wings and plunge would be defined by a line connecting the planes tail and nose. |
| Taiga |
A moist subarctic coniferous forest that begins where the tundra ends and is dominated by spruces and firs. |
| Tectonics |
Geologic discipline dealing with the architecture of the Earth's crust, particularly the movement of continental and oceanic plates and the effects of their contact and collisions on the structure of the crust. |
| t |
Tonne. |
| Trench |
Common surface exploration method where rock is excavated at surface using mechanical equipment and/or explosives to expose bedrock 2-3 metres from the original surface. |
| Tuff |
Geological formation composed of compressed volcanic ash. |
| Turbidites |
Geological formations that have their origins in turbidity current deposits, deposits from a form of underwater avalanche. |
| Unbooked Reserves |
Russian terminology to denote the state approved reserves or estimated mineral blocks considered to be uneconomic at the time of the reserve estimate. |
| Vein |
A fissure, fault or crack in a rock filled by minerals that have traveled upwards from some deep source. |
| Vug |
A cavity in a rock. |
| Volcanics |
A general collective term for extrusive igneous and pyroclastic material and rocks. |
| Wallrock |
the country rock (surrounding rock) of a vein or ore body. |
| Zn |
Chemical symbol for Zinc. |
