Mineral prospect evaluation

Applications of geological reference samples to mineral prospecting and economic evaluation of ore potential is the only application with a history dating back before the issuance of G-i and W-i in 1951. It is an area in which data quality or lack thereof has serious economic impacts, hence the very early development of certified reference materials mentioned previously. An extensive study of the state of ore analysis was undertaken by the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the British Geological Survey). Nineteen ores and concentrates, of varied matrix, were distributed to 38 laboratories more than 1532 results were received (Lister and Galagher 1970). 

It is apparent that the need for a secure supply of mineral commodities is currently driving some countries, and forward-thinking companies, to continue to acquire, prospect for, evaluate, and enter into feasibility studies of, potential near-term mining properties. In some cases, properties are being prepared for immediate production by either completing construction of mining infrastructure or by expansion of existing mine and mill capacities. The idea is to have a property ready to increase production or to be put into production when commodity prices rebound, and to do so more quickly than... 

Exploration The search for mineral deposits and the work done to prove or establish the extent of a mineral deposit. Alt prospecting and subsequent evaluation. 

This presents special difficulties in loss control. Simply observing a process or situation can change the circumstances and influence the results. The very fact that a process or situation is being observed to prepare for modification often changes the process. Prediction in detail is most difficult, yet that is what is expected of the loss-control practitioner and supervisor. The arrival of the next downgrading incident in particular is unknown. That causes apprehension and a challenge to confidence in the loss-control practitioner or production supervisor. Mineral reserves can be core sampled and the prospective yield known within predictable Umits, but even exhaustive pre-evaluation of a workforce cannot predict any individual s action. 

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