Mining Terms
Although this list is by no means complete, it should lend a hand in understanding what some of the terminology that I use in my posts. If you have any questions about a term that is not on this page, just drop me a line or add a comment requesting a definition… I’ll be glad to help.
ASSAY – To test ores or minerals by chemical or other methods for the purpose of determining the amount of valuable metals contained.
BEDROCK – Solid rock forming the earth’s crust, frequently covered by overburden or water.
BONANZA – Very rich ore, or situation.
BULLION – Metal in bars, ingots or other uncoined form.
CLAIM – A portion of mining land held under federal law.
CONCENTRATE – A product containing the valuable metal and from which most of the waste material in the ore has been removed.
CRUSHER – A machine for crushing rock, such as a gyratory crusher, jaw crusher, stamp mill, etc.
FINE GOLD – Almost pure gold. Fineness is the proportion of pure gold or silver in jewellery or bullion expressed in parts per thousand. Thus, 925 fine gold indicates 925 parts out of 1,000, or 92.5%, is pure gold.
FREE MILLING – Ores of gold or silver from which the precious metals can be recovered by concentrating methods without resort to roasting or chemical treatment.
GEOLOGY – The science concerned with the study of the rocks which compose the earth.
GRIZZLY – A grating (usually constructed of steel rails) placed over the top of a chute or ore pass for the purpose of stopping the larger pieces of rock or ore.
GRUBSTAKE – Finances or supplies of food, etc.,furnished a prospector on promise of some share in any discoveries he make.
HIGHGRADE – Rich ore. Selective mining of the best ore in a deposit.
HIGHGRADER – One who steals rich ore, especially gold, from a mine.
LODE – A mineral deposit in solid rock.
MILL – a) A plant in which ore is treated for the recovery of valuable metals. b) A machine consisting of a revolving drum, for the fine grinding of ores as a preparation for treatment.
MOTHERLODE – The starting place or origin of a metal. A vein which contains the original metal “in place”.
NUGGET – A water-worn piece of precious metal, usually implying some size.
ORE – A mixture of ore minerals and gangue from which at least one of the metals can be extracted at a profit.
ORE-BEARING – Rock that has some type of ore present in its composition.
PAN – To wash gravel or rock that have been ground in a pan to separate gold.
PLACER – An alluvial deposit of sand and gravel containing valuable minerals such as gold.
POCKETS – These are cavities in the earth, filled with ore, or a rich deposit of gold.
PROSPECT – A mining property, the value of which has not been proved by exploration.
PYRITE – A hard, heavy, shiny, yellow mineral, being a sulphide of iron. It is sometimes called “fools gold”.
SAMPLE – A small portion of rock or mineral deposit, usually taken for the purpose of being assayed to determine possible content of valuable elements.
TAILINGS – Material rejected from a mill after the recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted.
TROY OUNCES – A type of measurement for gold. A troy is different than an ounce.
VEIN – A fissure, fault or crack in a rock filled by minerals that have travelled upwards from some deep source.
Thanks for sharing your definitions–it helps to get a better idea of what gold mining is all about.
For how long have you been mining? Do you prefer pan mining or another method?
I have been mining for more than ten years, now. I do multiple types of mining… It depends on multiple factors including: the time of the year, location, and what mood I am in. When I visit a new spot, I prefer to do a lot of panning. Testing out multiple spots. If it is a claim that I have visited quite a bit, it usually depends on my mood. Sometimes I just like to set up my sluice box and sit in my chair with a cold beer and lazily run a few buckets of material while I take in the scenery. Other times, I want to move as much material as possible and break out the dredge or highbanker (where permissible).
I’ve even been known to do a little urban gold mining. That is taking old electronics and extracting the gold and other precious metals from them. I do not personally do this any more, but still collect old electronics and sell the boards to others who have better facilities to handle the processing than my back yard does.
My name is Piter Jankovich. oOnly want to tell, that your blog is really cool
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
P.S. Sorry for my bad english
Gold Mining is one of my hobbies. This blog is just my way of sharing my experiences with others who may be interested in doing the same.