Glossary of Terms

Aeromagnetic Anomaly
An anomaly generated by an airborne magnetic survey.

Anomaly
An anomaly is a departure from the norm which may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying rock. Geochemical anomalies and Induced Polarization (IP) anomalies are two of the most common anomalies described in exploration.

Aqua Regia
A mixture of Hydrochloric Acid (HCI), Nitric Acid (HNO3) and de-mineralized water (2:2:2). A strong acid digestion capable of decomposing metal salts, carbonates, sulphides, most sulphates and some oxides and silicates. Aqua Regia will digest precious metals including Au, Ag, Pt and Pd.

Assay
The chemical analysis of an ore, mineral, concentrate of metal to determine the amount of valuable species. Precious metals are usually given in ounces per short ton or grams per metric tonne, while base metals are given in percentage.

Chalcopyrite
Copper Iron Sulphide -- CuFeS2. The main ore of copper. Chalcopyrite (or copper pyrite) is one of the minerals referred to as "Fool's Gold" because of its bright golden colour. As a copper ore, the yield of chalcopyrite is rather low in terms of atoms per molecule. It is only 25%, compared to other copper minerals such as chalcocite, Cu2S -- 67%l cyorutem Cu2O -- 67%; covellite, CuS -- 50% or bornite Cu5FeS4 -- 50%. However, the large quantities and widespread distribution of chalcopyrite make it the leading source of copper. Chalcopyrite is a common mineral and is found in almost all sulfide deposits.

Cobalt (Co)
Silvery-white, magnetic, metallic element used chiefly for making alloys. The chief uses are in thermally resistant alloys, called super alloys, containing cobalt are used in industry and aircraft gas turbine engines. An alloy with steel known as cobalt steel is used for making permanent magnets. With tungsten carbide, cobalt forms Carboloy, a hard material used for cutting and machining steel; alloyed with chromium, cobalt produces Stellite, used for the same purpose. Cobalt is also used in ceramics and paint driers, and as a catalyst.

Copper (Cu)
Very malleable and ductile red brownish-red metallic element that is one of the most widely used metals. Because of its many desirable properties, such as its conductivity of electricity and heat, its resistance to corrosion its malleability and ductility, and its beauty, copper has long been used in a wide variety of applications. The principal uses are electrical, because of copper's extremely high conductivity, which is second only to that of silver. Because copper is very ductile, it can be drawn into wires of any diameter from about 0.025 mm (about 0.001 in) upward. The tensile strength of drawn copper wire is about 4200 kg/sq. cm (about 60,000 lb/sq. in); it can be used in outdoor power lines and cables, as well as in house wiring, lamp cords, and electrical machinery such as generators, motors, controllers, signaling devices, electromagnets, and communications equipment.

Deposit
A mineralized body which has been physically delineated by sufficient drilling, trenching and/or underground work, and found to contain a sufficient average grade of metal or metals to warrant further exploration and/or development expenditures; such a deposit does not qualify as a commercially mineable ore body or as containing ore reserves.

Detection Limit
The smallest concentration or amount of a component of interest that can be detected by a single measurement with a stated level of confidence. Generally regarded as the concentration level with a precision of ±100%.

Diamond Drill
The shape of the drill bit is such that it cores a cylinder of rock for collection and analysis.

Dip
The angle formed by the inclined plane of a geological structure and the horizontal plane of the Earth's surface. Acute angle that a rock surface makes with a horizontal plane. Direction of dip is always perpendicular to strike.

Dissemination
Mineralization distributed between the grains in a rock.

Down Dip
Down the plane of the dip; Opposite to up dip.

Drill Core
The cylindrical piece of rock, usually between one and three inches in diameter brought to surface by diamond drilling.

Dyke
A long mass of eruptive rock.

Exploration Stage
A company is in the exploration stage when it is engaged in the search for mineral deposits which are not in either the development or production stage.

Fire Assaying
Highly precise and accurate method for the total determination of Au and other precious metals in samples. Typically used on ore-grade samples. Samples are mixed with fluxes including lead-oxide, fused at 1050ºC, cupeled to recover a doré bead, nitric acid parted to separate the precious metal then analyzed by either gravimetric, AA or ICP finish.

Flotation Cells
Flotation cells are commonly used in conventional copper concentrators to separate the copper minerals from the waste rock. After being crushed and ground, the copper ore is pumped into flotation cells. Chemical reagents are added and the mixture is aerated and mechanically agitated. The mineral particles are separated from the host rock and float to the surface on air bubbles, forming a froth, which is skimmed off, filtered and dried.

Gabbro
A coarse grained calcic igneous rock.

Gangue
Worthless rock or other material in which valuable minerals are found.

Geochemical Analysis
A precise and accurate method for the determination of elements using a fusion or acid digestion followed by determination by instrumental (i.e., specific ion electrode, AA, ICP, etc.) means. Applied to samples with moderate to very low element concentrations.

Geochemical Anomaly
Any geochemical departure from the norm which may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying bedrock.

Geological Survey
The exploration of an area through the use of physical properties relating to geology, i.e., mapping. Geophysical methods include seismic, magnetic, gravity, induced polarization and other techniques.

Geophysics
Study of the various physical properties of the earth and the composition and movement of its component layers of rock. Geophysics is applied to mining exploration to detect zones characterized by their physical properties such as magnetism, gravity or conductivity (electromagnetism).

Gneiss
A metamorphic rock showing banding and resulting from regional metamorphism.

Gneissic
Term applied to the texture of gneiss.

Grade
The amount of valuable metal in each tonne of ore, expressed as % for base metals and as grams per tonne for precious metals.

ICP or ICP-ES
Inductively Coupled Plasma -- Atomic Emission Spectrometer: An instrument capable of determining the concentrations of 40 to 70+ elements simultaneously by measuring the intensity of light given off by samples aspirated into an argon gas plasma heated to >10,000ºK. Capable of very low detection limits (ppm to ppb) with wide linear ranges (5 orders of magnitude).

ICP-MS
Inductively Coupled Plasma -- Mass Spectrometer: An instrument capable of determining the concentrations of 70+ elements simultaneously by measuring the mass of ions generated by an argon gas plasma heated to 10,000ºK and passing through a magnetic quadrupole to the detector. Capable of ultra low detection limits (ppb to ppt) with very wide linear ranges (up to 7 orders of magnitude).

INAA
Induced Neutron Activation Analysis: A multi-element determination method based on measuring gamma radiation given off by a sample after exposure to neutron radiation. Samples are encapsulated and placed in the core of a nuclear reactor. After exposure the samples are allowed to cool for several days. Subsequently, samples are placed in a gamma ray detector. Each element has characteristic gamma ray wavelengths with the intensity of the emission indicative of the concentration.

Inferred Resources
Mineralization which does not have demonstrated economic viability.

In-fill Drilling
More detailed drilling generally used to follow up a discovery hole.

Intrusive
A body of igneous rock formed by the consolidation of magma intruded into other rocks in contrast to lavas which are extruded upon the surface. It is through intrusion of magma that porphyry deposits are formed.

Joint Fillings
The material in-filling joints in rocks.

Ma
Time measure. Millions of years ago. 1825 Ma=1.825 billion years.

Mafic Intrusive
An intrusion rich in iron and magnesia and low in silica.

Massive Sulphide Deposit
An unusually large dense concentration of sulphide minerals.

Mesh Size
A standardized method for measuring the size of particles. A sieve's mesh number indicates the number of strands of wire in 1 inch of mesh screen. Higher mesh numbers have a greater number of strands, therefore the openings between strands are smaller. Thus a 10 mesh sieve has 1.68 mm openings while a 100 mesh screen has 0.150 mm openings. Particles passing through a sieve are referred to as the minus mesh fraction (e.g., -100 mesh) while particles that remain in the sieve are referred to as the plus mesh fraction (e.g., +100 mesh).

Metagabbro
Metamorphosed gabbro.

Metallics Assay
A fire assay that determines the amount of coarse native metal in a sample. A large sample is pulverized then sieved. The coarse fraction containing any native metal is assayed in total, a representative portion of the fine fraction is assayed. Results are reported for each fraction and for the weighted average of the fractions.

Metasedimentary
Metamorphosed sedimentary rock.

Mineral
Inorganic substance in nature: an inorganic solid substance that occurs naturally in rocks and in the ground and has its own characteristic appearance and chemical composition.

Mineralization
A natural aggregate of one or more metallic minerals.

Mineralized
Mineral-bearing; the minerals may have been either a part of the original rock unit or injected at a later time.

Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
Have the meaning ascribed to such terms by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, as the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves Definitions and Guidelines adopted by CIM Council on August 20, 2000 as those definitions may be amended from time to time by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

Mining Claim/Mineral Claim
That portion of public or private mineral lands which a party has staked or marked out in accordance with federal, provincial or state mining laws to acquire the right to explore for and exploit the minerals under the surface.

National Instrument 43-101
National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and administered by the provincial securities commissions that governs how issuers disclose scientific and technical information about their mineral projects to the public. It covers oral statements as well as written documents and websites. It requires that all disclosure be based on advice by a "qualified person" and in some circumstances that the person be independent of the issuer and the property.

Nickel (Ni)
A hard silvery-white metallic element that is resistant to corrosion and used in alloys, batteries, electroplating, and as a catalyst. Nickel is used as a protective and ornamental coating for metals, particularly iron and steel, that are susceptible to corrosion. The nickel plate is deposited by electrolysis in a nickel solution. Finely divided nickel absorbs 17 times its own volume of hydrogen and is used as a catalyst in many processes, including the hydrogenation of oils.

Nickel is used chiefly in the form of alloys. It imparts great strength and corrosion resistance to steel. Nickel steel, containing about 2 to 4 percent nickel, is used in automobile parts such as axles, crankshafts, gears, valves, and rods; in machine parts; and in armor plate. Some of the most important nickel-containing alloys are German silver, Invar, Monel metal, Nichrome, and Permalloy. The nickel coins used for currency are an alloy of 25 percent nickel and 75 percent copper. Nickel is also a key component of nickel-cadmium batteries.

Ni-Cu-PGM
Nickel-copper-platinum group metals.

Open-Pit Mining
Open-pit mining is the most common method of mining porphyry copper and these open pits account for some of the largest man-made holes in the world. When determining the size of an open pit, the normal ratio is 50% of the shortest distance across. In other words, if a deposit is 800 feet long by 600 feet wide, the pit can be 300 feet deep. This is because the ramps need to be wide enough to allow large trucks to go up and down. The open-pit mine is the least expensive kind, and it is every developer's first choice where an ore body is situated close to the surface, is big enough and has little overburden.

Ore
A metal or mineral or combination of these of sufficient value as to quality and quantity to enable it to be mined at a profit.

Ore Body (ies)
A body (ies) of rock containing economically extractable ore minerals.

Outcrop
An exposure of rock or mineral deposit that can be seen on surface.

Oxidation
A chemical reaction caused by exposure to oxygen that results in a change in the chemical composition of a mineral.

Palladium (Pd)
Relatively rare, silvery white, soft metallic element. Palladium is the most important of the group of elements (PGE) called the platinum metals. The chief use of the metal is in the field of communications, where it is used to face electrical contacts in automatic switchgear. It is also used in dentistry, for nonmagnetic springs in clocks and watches, for coating special mirrors, in jewelry alloyed with gold in what is called white gold. Also used in the automotive industry for catalytic converters and electronics.

PGE
Platinum Group Elements: includes platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru) and osmium (Os). Acme routinely analyses for Pt, Pd and Rh by fire assay.

PGM
Platinum Group Metals.

Platinum (Pt)
Relatively rare, chemically inert metallic element that is more valuable than gold. Platinum is one of the most important of the group of elements (PGE) called the platinum metals. Because of its chemical inertness and high fusing point, platinum is valuable for laboratory apparatus, such as crucibles, tongs, funnels, combustion boats, and evaporating dishes. Platinum is also used for contact points in electrical apparatus and in instruments used for measuring high temperatures. Finely divided platinum in the form of platinum sponge or platinum black is used extensively as a catalyst in the chemical industry. Also used in the automotive industry for catalytic converters and electronics.

Polymetallic Deposit
Polymetallic sulphides which contain Base and Precious metal.

ppb
Parts per billion: a weight unit of measurement. 1% is equivalent to 10,000,000 ppb, 1 ppb is equivalent to 0.001 ppm or 0.0000001%.

ppm
Parts per million: a weight unit of measurement. 1% is equivalent to 10,000 ppm, 1 ppm is equivalent to 1,000 ppb or 1,000,000 ppt.

ppt
Parts per trillion: a weight unit of measurement. 1% is equivalent to 10,000,000,000 ppt, 1 ppt is equivalent to 0.000001 ppm or 0.0000000001%.

Pulps
That portion of a sample reduced to a finer size fraction after crushing, pulverizing or sieving and will be used in an analytical test.

Pyrrhotite
Magnetic iron sulphide.

Recovery
A term used in process metallurgy to indicate the proportion of valuable material obtained in the processing of ore. It is generally stated as a percentage of valuable metal in the ore that is recovered compared to the total valuable metal present in the ore.

Rejects
That portion of a sample after preparation that is not part of the pulps fraction.

Specific gravity
Ratio between weight of given volume of material and weight of equal volume of water at 4º C.

Strike
1. The horizontal line marking the intersection between the inclined plane of a solid geological structure and the Earth's surface. The compass direction of this line, measured in degrees from true north.

2. Direction of line formed by intersection of a rock surface with a horizontal plane. Strike is always perpendicular to direction of dip.

Stringers
Narrow veins indicating proximity to larger systems.

Sulphide
Compound of sulfur: a chemical compound containing sulfur, iron and one or more other elements.

Total or 4-Acid Digestion
Mixture of Hydrofluoric Acid (HF), Perchloric Acid(HCIO4), Nitric Acid (HNO3) and Hydrochloric Acid. A very strong acid digestion capable of decomposing metal salts, carbonates, sulphides, silicates and almost all sulphates and oxides. The digestion is taken to dryness which can result in the loss of some elements (Au, As, Cr, Sb) by volatization. The digestion is considered partial for massive sulphide samples.

Ultramafic
Rocks which are very basic (high in magnesia and iron) in composition as opposed to acidic. Usually host to nickel deposits.

UTEM (University of Toronto Electro Magnetometer)
A geophysical technique using an electro magnetometer that can locate large conductive sulphides to depths. Borehole UTEM probes in diamond drill holes may detect the presence of conductive sulphide mineralization within 300 meters of the probe. Meaning that a drill hole only a few centimeters across can be used to search a volume of rock with a diameter of 600 meters.

Wet Assaying
Highly precise and accurate method for the determination of elements using a fusion or acid digestion followed by determination by gravimetric, titrametric or instrumental (i.e., specific ion electrode, AA, ICP, etc.) means. Typically used for ore-grade determinations.

Whole Rock Analysis
Total determination of major element concentrations typically in rock samples. Elements are expressed as common oxides for each element (i.e., AI2O3, CaO, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, TiO2). Acme's Whole Rock package (Group 4A) includes the determination of volatile phases by loss on ignition (LOI), total carbon and sulphur by Leco as well as Ba, Ni, Sc, Sr, Y and Zr.

Xenolith
A foreign piece of rock that became enclosed in igneous rock prior to its solidification, thus forming an inclusion.