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A B C D E F G H
I J K L M
N O P Q R
S T U V W
X Y Z
- A -
Aeromagnetic survey:
A aircraft-borne geophysical survey using a magnetometer to measure magnetic field strength, often used to differentiate rock units.
Airborne survey:
A survey made from an aircraft to obtain photographs, or measure geophysical properties such as magnetics, conductance, radioactivity, etc.
Alluvial:
Sedimentary material from running water which is deposited in river beds, flood plains, lakes or at the foot of mountain slopes.
Alteration:
Any physical or chemical change in a rock or mineral subsequent to its formation; often related to hydrothermal or mineralizing processes. Milder and more localized than metamorphism.
Anomaly:
Any departure from the norm; a local feature distinguishable in a geophysical or geochemical measurement over a larger area; may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying bedrock.
Assay:
Analytical test to determine the proportion of metals in a sample.
Assessment work:
The amount of work, specified by mining law, that must be performed each year in order to retain legal control of mining claims.
Athabasca Basin:
The name ascribed to a unique geological terrain occupying an area of about 100,000 sq km in northern Saskatchewan. It is comprised of the Athabasca Group of Paleoproterozoic-aged sedimentary rocks, primarily sandstones, which were deposited in an inland sea on top of older Precambrian basement rocks.
Azimuth:
Azimuth is the horizontal component of a direction (compass direction), measured around the horizon in a clockwise manner from the North point toward the East; usually measured in degrees.
- B -
Basal till:
Unsorted glacial debris carried along and deposited as overburden at the base of a glacier. This type of till has the most direct transport path from source.
Basement rocks:
The underlying or older rock mass; often refers to rocks of Precambrian age which may be covered by younger rocks. In the Athabasca Basin they consist of metasedimentary gneisses and intrusives lying unconformably below the Athabasca sandstone.
Base metals:
Any non-precious metal (e.g. copper, lead, zinc, nickel, etc.).
Bedding:
The arrangement of sedimentary rocks in layers.
Breccia:
A rock made up of angular coarse fragments; may be sedimentary or formed by crushing or grinding along faults.
- C -
Clay:
A fine-grained material composed of hydrous aluminum silicates.
Conductivity:
A measure of the ability of a metal to conduct an electrical current.
Conductor:
An EM measured conductance anomaly due to the presence of aligned conductive minerals such as graphite, clays, sulfides etc. in rocks, often forming long linear trends.
Contact:
A geological term used to describe the line or plane along which two different rock formations meet.
Core:
A cylindrical rock sample obtained by diamond drilling.
Core barrel:
That part of a string of tools in a diamond drill hole in which the core specimen is collected.
Country rock:
Also known as host rock, loosely used to describe the general mass of rock adjacent to a mineralized body.
- D -
Deformation:
Any change in the original form or volume of rock masses produced by tectonic forces such as folding or faulting.
Diamond drill:
A rotary type of rock drill that cuts a core of rock that is recovered in long cylindrical sections, two cm or more in diameter.
Dilution:
Incorporation of low-grade mineralization or waste rock with ore during mining operations.
Dip:
The angle at which a vein, structure or rock bed is inclined from the horizontal as measured at right angles to the strike; may also apply to the angle of inclination for a drill hole.
- E -
e% / eU3O8:
Grade equivalent %U3O8 acquired by downhole radiometric probe measurement.
EM survey:
A geophysical method whereby electromagnetic waves are generated at surface and penetrate the Earth. When the waves strike a conducting formation or mineralized body at depth, they induce currents in the conductors that radiate back and are detected by instruments at surface. EM surveys are commonly used to detect the conductive graphitic sediments normally associated with unconformity-type uranium deposits.
En echelon:
Roughly parallel but staggered structures.
Environmental impact study (EIS):
A written report, compiled prior to a production decision, that examines the effects proposed mining activities will have on the natural surroundings.
Era:
A large division of geologic time, e.g. Precambrian.
Erosion:
The breaking down and subsequent removal of either rock or surface material by wind, rain, wave action, freezing and thawing and other processes.
Erratic:
A large glacial boulder of non-local origin.
Exploration:
Prospecting, sampling, mapping (geophysical, geochemical and geological), diamond drilling and other work involved in searching for mineralization.
- F -
Fault:
A break in the Earth's crust caused by tectonic forces which have moved the rock on one side with respect to the other.
Feasibility Study:
A refinement and reassessment of the prefeasibilty study, based on extensive additional information, detailed engineering and optimization work. This provides a level of confidence so that a decision to build the project can be made.
Felsic:
Term used to describe light-colored rocks containing feldspar, feldspathoids and silica.
Float:
General term for proximal, displaced fragments of outcrop.
Footwall:
The rock on the underside of a vein, deposit or structure. In the Athabasca Basin, holes with sandstone structure are generally considered footwall.
Fossil fuel:
Also known as mineral fuels, are hydrocarbon-containing natural resources such as coal, petroleum and natural gas.
Fracture:
A break in the rock, the opening of which may allow mineral-bearing solutions to enter.
- G -
Gamma:
A unit of measurement of magnetic intensity.
Gangue:
The non-metalliferous or non-valuable minerals within a mineralized body.
Geiger counter:
An instrument used to measure the radioactivity that emanates from certain minerals by means of a Geiger-Mueller tube.
Geochemical anomaly:
A concentration of one or more elements in rock, soil, sediment, vegetation or water markedly different from the normal concentration in the surroundings.
Geochemistry:
The study of the chemical properties of rocks.
Geology:
The science concerned with the study of the Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the changes that it has undergone or is undergoing.
Geophysics:
The study of the physical properties of rocks.
Geophysical survey:
A scientific method of prospecting that measures the physical properties of rock formations. Common properties investigated include magnetism, specific gravity, electrical conductivity and radioactivity.
GEOTEM:
A proprietary time-domain EM system.
Glacial drift:
Sedimentary material that has been transported by glaciers.
Glacial striations:
Lines or scratches on a smooth rock surface caused by glacial abrasion, indicative of ice direction.
Gneiss:
A layered or banded crystalline metamorphic rock, the grains of which are aligned or elongated into a roughly parallel arrangement.
Grab sample:
A sample from a rock outcrop that is assayed to determine if valuable elements are contained in the rock.
Grade:
The amount of metal per mass of ore; may be expressed in grams per tonne (g/t), ounces per ton (oz/t) or percent (%).
Grade equivalent (e%):
Grade equivalent %U3O8 acquired by downhole radiometric probe measurement.
Granite:
A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock consisting of quartz, feldspar and mica.
Graphite:
Native carbon mineral often with high conductance properties.
Graphitic Pelite:
In the Athabasca Basin, is referred to as a metasedimentary rock with varying proportions of graphite and generally sourcing the conductive horizons found by EM techniques.
Gravity meter, gravimeter:
An instrument for measuring the gravitational attraction of the earth. Gravitational attraction varies with the density of the rocks in the vicinity.
Gross value:
The theoretical value of ore determined simply by applying the assay of metal or metals and the current market price.
- H -
Hangingwall:
The rock on the upper side of a vein, deposit or structure. In the Athabasca Basin, holes with basement structure or graphitic conductors are generally considered hangingwall.
HLEM survey:
Horizontal Loop EM survey; a geophysical survey method which measures the electromagnetic properties of rocks.
Host Rock:
Rock in which a deposit of precious metals or other minerals occurs.
Hydrothermal:
Relating to hot fluids circulating in the earth's crust and to mineralization and alteration products produced by them.
- I -
Igneous rocks:
Rocks formed by the solidification of molten material from below the earth's surface.
Input survey:
An time domain airborne EM survey.
Intrusive rock:
A body of igneous rock formed by the consolidation of magma intruded into other rocks.
- J -
Joint Venture:
A mineral exploration program or mine operation funded by two or more parties.
- L -
Lenticular:
A deposit having roughly the form of a double convex lens.
Lineament:
Straight or gently curved, lengthy features on the Earth's surface, frequently expressed topographically as lines of depression. May represent structural features such as faults.
Line cutting:
Straight clearings through the bush to establish grids for geophysical and other surveys.
Lithology:
The study and description of rocks, including their mineral composition and texture. Also used in reference to the compositional and textural characteristics of a rock.
- M -
Mafic:
Igneous rocks composed mostly of dark, iron- and magnesium-rich silicate minerals.
Magnetic gradient survey:
A geophysical survey using a pair of magnetometers a fixed distance apart, to measure the difference in the magnetic field with height above the ground.
Magnetic survey:
A geophysical survey that measures the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field.
Magnetometer:
An instrument used to measure the magnetic attraction of underlying rocks.
Metallurgy:
The science of extracting, smelting, refining alloying and fabricating metals.
Metamorphic rocks:
Rocks which have undergone a change in texture or composition in response to pronounced changes in temperature, pressure and chemical environment.
Metamorphism:
The process by which rocks are altered in composition, texture or internal structure by pronounced changes in temperature, pressure and chemical environment.
Metapelite:
Metamorphosed pelitic (mudstone) rocks; a common basement rock of the Athabasca Basin.
Mill:
The plant facility where the ore is reduced through crushing and grinding, then it becomes a concentrate through flotation or gravity separations.
Mineral:
A naturally formed chemical element or compound having a definite range in chemical composition and usually a characteristic crystal form.
Mineralization:
Mineral or ore-bearing rock.
- N -
Net profit interest:
A portion of the profit remaining after all charges, including taxes and bookkeeping charges, have been deducted.
Net smelter return:
A share of the net revenues generated from the sale of metal produced by a mine.
- O -
Open pit:
A mine that is entirely on surface. Also referred to as open-cut or open-cast mine
Option:
An agreement to purchase a property reached between the property vendor and some other party who wishes to explore the property further.
Outcrop:
An exposure of rock or mineral deposit that can be seen on surface, that is, not covered by soil or water.
Ore:
A mixture of ore minerals and gangue from which at least one of the metals can be extracted at a profit.
Overturned:
Where the oldest sedimentary rock beds are lying on top of a younger beds due to structural or tectonic forces.
- P -
Palaeochannels:
Deposits of unconsolidated or semi-consolidated sedimentary rocks deposited in ancient, currently inactive river and stream channel systems.
Pathfinder Elements:
A suite of elements (i.e. Pb, Ni, Co, As, Bi, Zn, B, Cu, V and Mo) commonly associated with uranium mineralization, which often form broad low level geochemical enrichment haloes in rocks surrounding such deposits and used as a guide/vector for exploration.
Pelite:
A very fine-grained sedimentary rock, also termed mudstone. In the Athabasca Basin, the precursor rock to the common metamorphic gneisses in the basin (the meta is often dropped as a convention).
Pitchblende:
A highly radioactive uranium mineral also known as uraninite; essentially UO2 + UO3, nominally U3O8.
Plutonic:
Refers to rocks of igneous origin that have come from great depth.
ppb:
Parts per billion; used to specify low concentrations (by volume) of metals.
ppm:
Parts per million; used to specify concentrations (by volume) of metals. One ppm = 1 gram per tonne.
Precambrian era:
The period of the geologic timescale from the formation of Earth around 4.5 billion years before the present (BP) to the evolution of abundant macroscopic hard-shelled fossils, which marked the beginning of the Cambrian, some 542 million years BP.
Precambrian Shield:
The oldest and most stable regions of the earth's crust, the largest of which is the Canadian Shield.
Proterozoic:
The younger of the two Precambian eras, encompassing the period 2.5 billion years before the present (BP) to 540 million years BP.
- R -
Radioactivity:
The property of spontaneously emitting alpha, beta or gamma rays by the decay of the nuclei of atoms, which can be measured using various hand held or down hole instruments and correlated to the proportion of radioactive elements (K, Th, U).
Radiometric Probe:
Downhole logging device used to measure natural gamma radiation and calculate grade equivalent (e%) U3O8.
Rare earth elements (REE):
Fifteen lanthanide elements having atomic numbers 57 through 71 of the periodic table (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu).
Reclamation:
The restoration of a site after mining or exploration activity is completed.
Reconnaissance:
A preliminary survey of ground.
Regional metamorphism:
Metamorphism caused by both the heat of igneous processes and tectonic pressure with a signature developed over a large area.
Reserve:
The calculated tonnage and grade of mineralization which can be extracted profitably; classified as proven and probable according to the level of confidence that can be placed in the data.
Resistivity survey:
A geophysical technique used to measure the resistance of a rock formation to an electric current. Certain alteration products can result in either an increased or decreased resistitivity in the rocks.
Resource:
The calculated amount of material in a mineral deposit, based on limited drill information; classified as measured, indicated and inferred according to the level of confidence that can be placed in the data.
Roll-front uranium deposits:
Generally hosted within permeable and porous sandstones or conglomerates. The mechanism for deposit formation is dissolution of uranium from the formation or nearby stratigraphy and transport of this uranium into the stratigraphy. When the fluids change redox state, generally in contact with carbon-rch organic matter, uranium precipitates to form a 'front'.
Royalty:
An amount of money paid at regular intervals by the lessee or operator of an exploration or mining property to the owner of the ground. Generally based on a certain amount per tonne or a percentage of the total production or profits. Also, the fee paid for the right to use a patented process.
- S -
Sampling:
Selecting a fractional but representative part of a mineral deposit, its host rocks or overlying overburden, for geochemical or other physical property analysis.
Sandstone:
A sedimentary rock consisting of grains of sand cemented together.
Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC):
A Standards Council of Canada (CCRMP) certified analytical laboratory. SRC has specialized in the field of uranium research and analysis for over 30 years and is Canada's only Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licensed laboratory for the analysis of uranium samples. www.src.sk.ca
Scintillometer:
An instrument used to detect and measure radioactivity by detecting gamma rays; more sensitive than a geiger counter.
Sedimentary rocks:
Rocks formed by the accumulation of sediment in water or on land; can be characterized by a layered structure known as beding or stratification. Examples are limestone, shale and sandstone.
Seismic exploration:
The use of seismic geophysical techniques to map subsurface geologic structures.
Spot Price:
Current delivery price of a commodity traded in the spot market.
Step-out drilling:
Holes drilled to intersect a mineralization horizon or structure along strike or down dip.
Stockpile:
Broken ore accumulated in a heap at the mine's surface, pending treatment or shipment to mill, or a stock of metals held by a government or processing utility.
Stratigraphy:
Strictly, the description of bedded rock sequences; used loosely, the sequence of bedded rocks in a particular area.
Strike:
The direction, or bearing from true north, of a vein, rock formation or structure measured on a horizontal surface.
- T -
TEM/TDEM survey:
Time Domain EM; an electromagnetic system which transmits a pulsed, or stepped electromagnetic field, inducing an electrical current (eddy current) in the ground that persists after the primary field is turned off, and measures the change over time of the secondary field created as the currents decay.
Trend:
The direction or bearing of a linear geological feature, measured in the horizontal plane.
- U -
Unconformity:
A break or gap in the geologic record, where an older rock unit is overlain by a significantly younger unit following a period of erosion and/or non-deposition.
U3O8:
An oxide form (triuranium octaoxide) of uranium that is the most common chemical form found in nature. U3O8 is very stable and has a low solubility in water.
Uraninite:
A highly radioactive uranium mineral also known as Pitchblende; essentially UO2 + UO3, nominally U3O8.
Uranium:
A radioactive, silvery-white, metallic element. Uranium is a radioactive element found in trace quantities all over the earth and has many different forms or isotopes. Naturally occurring uranium is composed of three isotopes: 99% U238, 0.7% U235, and 0.005% U234.
- V -
Vein:
A fissure, fault or crack in a rock filled by minerals.
Volcanic rocks:
The class of igneous rocks that have been poured out or ejected at or near the earth's surface.
Volcanic-hosted uranium deposits:
Uranium deposits of this type occur in acid volcanic rocks and are related to faults and shear zones within the volcanics. Uranium is commonly associated with molybdenum and fluorine. These deposits make up only a small proportion of the world's uranium resources. Significant resources of this type occur in China, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Mexico, and Labrador.
- W -
Wall rocks:
Rock units on either side (hangingwall and footwall) of an mineralized body or structure.
Waste:
Rock lacking sufficient grade and/or other characterisitcs of ore to be economical.
- Z -
Zone:
An area of distinct mineralization.
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