Glossary of Terms

1. Geology

Geological structure – Structure and composition of Earth's layers

Layer – Horizontal deposits of rocks

Lithology – Study of physical and chemical properties of rocks

Stratigraphy – Study of age and sequence of strata

Igneous rock – Rock formed by solidification of magma

Sedimentary rock – Rock formed from sediment deposits

Metamorphic rock – Rock changed by heat and pressure

Intrusive rock – Rock formed from magma cooled underground

Extrusive rock – Rock formed from magma cooled on surface

Tectonics – Study of Earth's crust movements and deformations

Anticline – Arch-like fold in rock layers

Syncline – Trough-like fold in rock layers

Dislocation – Disruption or shift in rock layers

Platform – Stable geological formation

Geosyncline – Region of sediment accumulation and folding

Ore layer – Layer containing valuable materials

Paleogeography – Study of ancient geographic environments

Petrology – Study of origin and composition of rocks

Mineral – Naturally occurring crystalline substance

Mineral resource – Natural substance with economic value

Geological map – Map showing geological features

Prospecting – Initial stage of geological exploration

Isotope – Atom of same element with different mass

Groundwater – Water located between soil and rock layers

Fractured rock – Rock with many cracks

Deposit – Place where minerals are concentrated

Seismic survey – Exploring underground with waves

Paleontology – Study of fossils

Classification – Sorting rocks by properties

Metallogenic zone – Region rich in metal deposits

 

2. Mining

Mine – A site where minerals are extracted from the earth

Shaft – Underground tunnel for mineral extraction

Quarry – Open-pit site for surface mining

Drilling – Process of creating holes to access minerals

Blasting – Using explosives to break rock

Ore – Rock that contains valuable metals

Reserve – Measured amount of extractable minerals

Ore beneficiation – Separation of valuable materials from ore

Pumping station – Facility for water removal in mines

Ventilation – Airflow system in underground mines

Mining equipment – Tools and machinery for mining

Dam – Structure to control water flow

Level – Horizontal tunnel in a mine

Gallery – Wide horizontal underground passage

Dump site – Area for discarded rocks or ore

Transport system – Set of tools for moving ore

Central mine – Main operational mine in the region

Explosive – Chemical used to fracture rocks

Additional layer – Possible mineral-rich layer beneath the main

Underground mine – Mine accessed through tunnels or shafts

Open-pit mine – Surface-level mining site

Metallurgy plant – Facility for metal production

Haulage – Movement of mined material

Blasting zone – Area designated for explosives use

Production capacity – Amount of ore extractable per unit time

Production line – Full chain from mining to enrichment

Mine lift – Elevator for transporting people or ore

Layer thickness – Thickness of mineral layer

Miner – Worker in an underground mine

Safety procedures – System of occupational safety in mining

 

3. Geophysics

Geophysics – Study of physical properties of Earth's crust

Gravimetry – Measurement of Earth's gravity field

Magnetometry – Measurement of Earth's magnetic field

Electrical surveying – Investigating subsurface electrical resistivity

Seismic surveying – Detection of structures using seismic waves

Radiometry – Measurement of natural radioactivity

VLF method – Use of very low-frequency EM waves

Anomaly – Deviation from background physical values

Background value – Average measurement baseline

Resistivity – Resistance to electric current

Conductivity – Ability to conduct electric current

Seismic wave – Elastic wave traveling through Earth

Electrode – Metal rod injecting current into ground

Profiling – Displaying survey data as a cross-section

Gravity anomaly – Disturbance in gravitational field

Scanner profile – Cross-section of subsurface layers

Interpolation – Estimation of intermediate values

Tomographic image – Image based on multipoint data

Seismogram – Recorded data of seismic waves

Contour map – Map with equal-value lines

GPR – Ground Penetrating Radar

Sensor – Measuring unit of device

Density – Mass per volume of rock

Radiation background – Natural level of radioactive emission

Power source – Device providing current or voltage

Cable system – Connection between devices and sensors

Monitoring – Continuous observation and recording

Drone system – Remote-controlled survey platform

Gravity map – Visual of gravitational differences

Data analysis – Processing and interpretation of survey data

 

4. Geochemistry

Geochemistry – Study of the chemical composition of Earth's materials

Chemical analysis – Determining the composition of substances

Element – Basic unit of chemical matter

Isotope – Variants of an element with different mass

Sampling – Collecting samples for analysis

Macroelements – Elements in major concentrations

Microelement – Element found in small amounts

Standard sample – Reference material for analysis

Geochemical map – Map showing element concentrations

Beneficiation – Extraction of valuable materials

Contamination – Presence of undesired substances

Gangue – Valueless material in ore

Contour map – Map based on chemical parameters

Trace element – Element present in minute quantities

Concentration – Amount of substance per unit volume

Reagent – Chemical used in analysis

Indicator – Substance showing presence of another

X-ray analysis – Method for identifying elements using X-rays

Mass spectrometry – Method for analyzing by mass

Geochemical background – Natural levels of elements

Seismogeochemistry – Integration of seismic and chemical methods

Dissolution – Process of dissolving substances

Sorption – Adhesion of atoms or molecules to a surface

Isolation – Separation of substances

Titration – Measuring concentration via controlled reaction

Laboratory – Place where analyses are conducted

Sample mixing – Combining several samples into one

Average sample – Representative composite sample

Isolation process – Steps to separate a compound

Flotation – Process to separate particles in liquid

 

5. Mine surveying

Mine surveying – Science and practice of mine measurements

Geodesy – Science of measuring the Earth’s surface

Level – Instrument to measure elevation

Theodolite – Instrument to measure angles

Coordinates – System of locating a point in space

Traverse surveying – Measurement of sides and angles between control points

Planimetric survey – Horizontal positioning of points

Mine plan – Graphical depiction of mine layout

Gallery – Horizontal underground passage

Shaft – Vertical mine working

Angle – Geometric measure between two directions

Tacheometry – Simultaneous measurement of angle and distance

Ore balance map – Map showing ore quantities and reserves

Profile – Vertical cross-section of layers

Displacement monitoring – Monitoring of ground movements

Optical instruments – Light-based measuring tools

Central point – Main control point

Survey point – Point of measurement

Static measurements – Data collected from a single point

Marking – Applying labels or signs

Measurement accuracy – Precision of measured result

Error – Deviation in measurement

Check point – Point for verification measurement

Planar coordinates – 2D coordinate system

Plan drafting – Mapping object locations

Deformation – Change in shape or structure

Highlighting – Clarifying features in a diagram

3D modeling – Three-dimensional representation of object

Section – View of internal structure through cut

Slope – Angle between surface and vertical

 

6. Metallurgy

Metallurgy – Science of extracting and processing metals

Pyrometallurgy – Extraction of metals using high heat

Hydrometallurgy – Extraction of metals via aqueous solutions

Electrometallurgy – Metal extraction using electricity

Ore beneficiation – Removing gangue from ore

Smelting – Melting ore to extract metal

Casting – Pouring molten metal into a mold

Refining – Purification of metal from impurities

Slag – By-product of ore smelting

Anode – Positive electrode in electrolysis

Cathode – Negative electrode in electrolysis

Electrolysis – Extracting metal using electric current

Alloy – Combination of two or more metals

Recycling – Processing waste into reusable material

Tempering – Heat treatment of metal

Dissolution – Process of dissolving substances

Corrosion – Metal degradation due to environment

Casting (product) – Shaped metal formed by casting

Furnace – High-temperature device for smelting

Chemical refining – Cleaning metal using reagents

Cooling – Solidification process of melt

Granulated metal – Metal in small spherical form

Density – Mass per unit volume

Melting – Process of heating to extract metal

Roasting – Heating to remove surface impurities

Conductivity – Ability to conduct electricity

Quality control – Ensuring conformity to quality standards

Lab testing – Analysis of metal samples

Phase analysis – Determining phases in metal structure

Industrial smelting – Large-scale metal melting process