MINING

It is involved in extracting precious minerals and other geological

materials.

Generally, the mining process is divided into five (5) phases, as follows:

It means the search for resources suitable for commercial exploitation.

Exploration. It means the search for resources suitable for commercial exploitation. It includes:

• Researching and analyzing an area’s historic exploration data

• Conducting topographical, geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies

• Exploratory drilling, trenching, and sampling

• Assessing the volume and grade of deposits

It means determining the technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral

resource.

Evaluation. It means determining the technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral

resource. It includes:

• Assessing the volume and grade of deposits

• Examining and testing extraction methods and metallurgical or treatment processes

• Surveying transportation and infrastructure requirements

• Conducting market and finance studies

• Sinking shafts and underground drifts

This stage usually produces a feasibility study that identifies proved or probable reserves and decides to develop a mine.

It means establishing access to and commissioning facilities to extract, treat and

transport production from the mineral reserve and other preparations for commercial production.

Development. It means establishing access to and commissioning facilities to extract, treat and

transport production from the mineral reserve and other preparations for commercial production. It may include:

• Sinking shafts and underground drifts

• Permanent excavations

• Constructing roads and tunnels

• Advance removal of overburden and waste rock

• Conducting market and finance studies

It means the day-to-day activities of obtaining a saleable product from the mineral reserve

on a commercial scale. It includes extraction and any processing before sale.