ISO 22932-4:2023

Mining - Vocabulary - Part 4: Prospecting and exploration

This document specifies the commonly used terms in mine prospecting and exploration. Only those terms that have a specific meaning in this field are included.

Exploitation minière — Vocabulaire — Partie 4: Prospection et exploration

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-May-2023
• ICS: 01.040.73 - Mining and minerals (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 73.020 - Mining and quarrying
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 82 - Mining
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 82/WG 8 - Terminology
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 26-May-2023
• Due Date: 22-Aug-2023
• Completion Date: 26-May-2023

Overview

ISO 22932-4:2023 is an international standard published by ISO that defines the specialized vocabulary used in the field of mining, specifically focusing on prospecting and exploration. As part of the ISO 22932 series, this document aims to establish a unified and clear terminology to improve communication and understanding among professionals involved in mining activities worldwide. This standard addresses the terminology related to the identification and assessment of mineral deposits, supporting experts in geology, mining engineering, and resource evaluation.

The standard covers terms with specific meanings in mine prospecting and exploration and offers a comprehensive glossary including geophysical, geochemical, and geological terms. It serves as a reference for consistent usage in reports, research, and technical communication within the mining sector.

Key Topics

• Prospecting Techniques
  ISO 22932-4:2023 details terms related to diverse prospecting methods such as:

  • Aeromagnetic prospecting using airborne magnetometers to identify magnetic anomalies.
  • Biochemical and botanical prospecting involving chemical analysis of plants to detect underlying mineral deposits.
  • Electrical prospecting encompassing methods based on resistivity, dielectric constant, and electrochemical properties of rocks.
  • Geochemical and geophysical prospecting methods tailored to detect element concentrations and physical measurements in subsurface structures.

• Geological Anomalies
  The standard defines various types of anomalies useful in exploration:

  • Magnetic anomaly: variations in Earth's magnetic field indicative of mineralized zones.
  • Geochemical anomaly: significant deviations in element concentrations in soil, vegetation, or water.
  • Hydrochemical and botanical anomalies associated with changes in groundwater chemistry or vegetation morphology.
  • Regional, intense, and isostatic anomalies important for distinguishing mineral-rich areas.

• Exploration Stages & Definitions
  The terminology supports the geological study stages from reconnaissance through detailed exploration, clarifying concepts such as:

  • Reconnaissance: broad regional surveys to identify mineral potential.
  • Prospecting: systematic narrowing of promising areas with physical or chemical methods.
  • General Exploration: initial deposits delineation for size, shape, and grade estimation.
  • Detailed Exploration: high-resolution sampling and mapping for in-depth deposit analysis.

• Equipment and Measurements
  Describes instruments and their functions, including magnetometers for magnetic intensity measurement, seismic pulse generators, and tools for mapping electrical potentials.

Applications

• Mining Industry Communication
  Ensures precise communication and documentation among mining professionals, reducing ambiguity in technical terms during prospecting projects and reporting.

• Exploration Project Planning
  Facilitates consistent interpretation of data during the identification of mineral deposits, guiding investment decisions and feasibility studies.

• Educational and Training Resources
  Acts as a definitive reference for universities, training bodies, and industry courses related to mining exploration techniques.

• Standardization of Technical Reports
  Companies and consultants can adopt ISO 22932-4:2023 terms to standardize terminology in geological and exploration documentation worldwide.

• Cross-disciplinary Coordination
  Helps geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and mining engineers collaborate effectively by establishing a shared vocabulary.

Related Standards

• ISO 22932 Series
  This document is part 4 of the broader ISO 22932 series addressing mining vocabulary, with other parts covering different mining aspects and subsurface structures.

• ISO/IEC Directives
  Follows guidelines on the preparation and maintenance of international standards ensuring quality and consistency.

• Other Mining and Geological Standards
  Complementary standards may cover sampling methods, mineral resource classification, environmental impact assessments, and mine safety protocols.

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ISO 22932-4:2023 plays a critical role in harmonizing terminology in mining prospecting and exploration, promoting clarity and efficiency in the global mining industry. It supports enhanced understanding of geological phenomena and exploration processes, helping professionals identify mineral resources with confidence and accuracy. For companies seeking to align with international best practices, this standard is an essential resource.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 22932-4
First edition
2023-05
Mining — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Prospecting and exploration
Exploitation minière — Vocabulaire —
Partie 4: Prospection et exploration
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
Bibliography .42
Index .43
iii
Foreword
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bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
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www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 82, Mining.
A list of all parts in the ISO 22932 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html
iv
Introduction
0.1 General
The ISO 22932 series has been prepared in order to standardize and to coordinate the global use of
technical terms and definitions in mining, for the benefit of the experts working on different types of
mining activities.
The need for the ISO 22932 series arose from the widely varying interpretation of terms used within
the industry and the prevalent use of more than one synonym.
A geological study is generally carried out in the following four main stages: reconnaissance,
prospecting, general exploration and detailed exploration (for definition of each stage see below).
The purpose of the geological study is to identify mineralization, to establish continuity, quantity, and
quality of a mineral deposit, and thereby define an investment opportunity.
0.2 Reconnaissance
A reconnaissance study identifies areas of enhanced mineral potential on a regional scale based
primarily on results of regional geological studies, regional geological mapping, airborne and indirect
methods, preliminary field inspection, as well as geological inference and extrapolation.
The objective is to identify mineralized areas worthy of further investigation towards deposit
identification. Estimates of quantities should only be made if sufficient data are available and when an
analogy with known deposit of similar geological character is possible, and then only within an order of
magnitude.
0.3 Prospecting
Prospecting is the systematic process of searching for a mineral deposit by narrowing down areas of
promising enhanced mineral potential.
The methods utilized are outcrop identification, geological mapping, and indirect methods such as
geophysical and geochemical studies. Limited trenching, drilling, and sampling may be carried out.
The objective is to identify a deposit which will be the target for further exploration. Estimates of
quantities are inferred, based on interpretation of geological, geophysical and geochemical results.
0.4 General exploration
General exploration involves the initial delineation of an identified deposit. Methods used include
surface mapping, widely spaced sampling, trenching and drilling for preliminary evaluation of mineral
quantity and quality (including mineralogical tests on laboratory scale if required), and limited
interpolation based on indirect methods of investigation.
The objective is to establish the main geological features of a deposit, giving a reasonable indication of
continuity and providing an initial estimate of size, shape, structure and grade. The degree of accuracy
should be sufficient for deciding whether a prefeasibility study and detailed exploration are warranted.
0.5 Detailed exploration
Detailed exploration involves the detailed three-dimensional delineation of a known deposit achieved
through sampling, such as from outcrops, trenches, boreholes, shafts and tunnels.
Sampling grids are closely spaced such that size, shape, structure, grade, and other relevant
characteristics of the deposit are established with a high degree of accuracy. Processing tests involving
bulk sampling may be required.
A decision whether to conduct a feasibility study can be made from the information provided by
detailed exploration.
[SOURCE: Controller General Indian Bureau of Mines]
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 22932-4:2023(E)
Mining — Vocabulary —
Part 4:
Prospecting and exploration
1 Scope
This document specifies the commonly used terms in mine prospecting and exploration. Only those
terms that have a specific meaning in this field are included.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
Prospecting
3.1.1
aeromagnetic prospecting
airborne magnetic prospecting
technique of geophysical exploration (3.2.8) of an area using an airborne magnetometer (3.1.1.1) to
survey (3.6) that area
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — "airborne magnetic prospecting" has been added as a term.]
3.1.1.1
magnetometer
instrument for measuring magnetic intensity
Note 1 to entry: In ground magnetic prospecting (3.1.8.6), magnetometer is an instrument for measuring the
vertical magnetic intensity.
Note 2 to entry: In airborne magnetic prospecting (3.1.1), magnetometer is an instrument for measuring the total
magnetic intensity. Also, an instrument used in magnetic observatories for measuring various components of the
magnetic field (3.8.4) of the Earth.
Note 3 to entry: Magnetometer is sensitive instrument for detecting and measuring changes in the Earth's
magnetic field, used in prospecting (3.1.10) to detect magnetic anomalies (3.1.2.10) and magnetic gradients in
rock formations.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1, 2 and 3 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.1.2
anomaly
geological feature, especially. in the subsurface, distinguished by geological, geophysical, or geochemical
means, which is different from the general surroundings and is often of potential economic value
EXAMPLE A magnetic anomaly (3.1.2.10).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — EXAMPLE was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.2.1
botanical anomaly
local increase above the normal variation in the chemical composition, distribution, ecological
assemblage, or morphology of plants, indicating the possible presence of an ore deposit (3.10.31) or
anthropomorphic contamination
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.2
geochemical anomaly
secondary anomaly
concentration of one or more elements in rock, soil, sediment, vegetation, or water that is markedly
higher or lower than background
Note 1 to entry: The term may also be applied to hydrocarbon concentrations in soils.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.2.3
gravity anomaly
difference between the observed value of gravity at a point and the theoretically calculated value
Note 1 to entry: It is based on a simple gravity model, usually modified in accordance with some generalized
hypothesis of variation in subsurface density as related to surface topography.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.2.4
ground geophysical anomaly
geophysical anomaly (3.1.2) that is mapped instrumentally at the surface of the ground
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.5
hydrochemical anomaly
anomalous patterns of elements contained in ground or surface water
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.6
hydromorphic anomaly
anomaly (3.1.2) where the dynamic agents are aqueous solutions, which brought the elements to the
site of deposition (3.10.12)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.7
intense anomaly
anomaly (3.1.2) whose elemental values rise sharply to one or more well-defined peaks
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.8
isanomalic line
line of equal value of an anomaly (3.1.2)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.9
isostatic anomaly
difference between the observed value of gravity at a point after applying to it the isostatic correction
and the normal value of gravity at the point
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.10
magnetic anomaly
variation of the measured magnetic pattern from a theoretical or empirically smoothed magnetic field
(3.8.4)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.11
nonsignificant anomaly
DEPRECATED: false anomaly
anomaly (3.1.2) that is superficially similar to a significant anomaly (3.1.2.15) but is unrelated to ore
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.12
optical anomaly
optical properties apparently at variance with optical rules
EXAMPLE Anisotropy in isotropic minerals, such as birefringent diamond; biaxiality in uniaxial minerals,
such as quartz; and erratic variation in birefringence near optical absorption bands, e.g. some epidote minerals.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — EXAMPLE was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.2.13
primary anomaly
anomaly (3.1.2) formed by primary dispersion
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.14
regional anomaly
more localized departures in the Earth's field (3.8.4) from the values that would be predicted if the field
were to originate with a single magnet oriented along the magnetic axis
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.2.15
significant anomaly
anomaly (3.1.2) that is related to ore and that can be used as a guide in exploration (3.2.5)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.3
biochemical prospecting
biogeochemical prospecting
geochemical exploration (3.2.5) based on the chemical analysis of systematically sampled plants in a
region, to detect biological concentrations of elements that might reflect hidden orebodies
Note 1 to entry: The root systems of trees are powerful sampling (3.1.12.6) mechanisms that represent samples
of solutions from a large volume of earth. Much of the mineral content from these solutions is found in the leaves.
Analysis of leaves may serve as a guide to prospectors
Note 2 to entry: The trace-element content of one or more plant organs is most often measured.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.1.4
botanical prospecting
prospecting (3.1.10) in which differences in plant growth or plant family serve as a clue to the presence
of metals beneath barren rock or a covering of sand and gravel
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.5
electrical prospecting
prospecting (3.1.10) that makes use of three fundamental properties of rocks
Note 1 to entry: Three fundamental properties of rocks are as follow:
1) resistivity or inverse conductivity: this governs the amount of current that passes through the rock
when a specified potential difference is applied;
2) electrochemical activity with respect to electrolytes in the ground;
3) dielectric constant: this is the basis of the self-potential method (3.2.11).
Note 2 to entry: This gives information on the capacity of a rock material to store electric charge, and it shall be
taken into consideration when high-frequency alternating currents are introduced into the earth, as in inductive
prospecting techniques. Electrical methods are more frequently used in searching for metals and minerals than
in exploring for petroleum, mainly because most of them have proved effective only for shallow exploration
(3.2.5).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.1.5.1
magnetotelluric method
electrical prospecting (3.1.5) technique based on an application of telluric currents in which the
magnetic field (3.8.4) induced by the alternations in earth currents would be measured simultaneously
with the voltage fluctuations between electrodes at the surface
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.6
geobotanical prospecting
visual study of plants, their morphology, and their distribution as indicators of such things as soil
composition and depth, bedrock lithology, the possibility of orebodies, and climatic and ground-water
conditions
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.7
geochemical prospecting
geochemical exploration
method of mineral exploration (3.2.5) based on the systematic measurement of the chemical properties
of rocks, soils, river sediments, waters, etc.
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.1.7.1
readily extractable metal
content of a metal that can be extracted from weathered rock, overburden, or stream sediment, by
weak chemical reagents
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.7.2
reliability of method
probability of obtaining and recognizing indications of an orebody or mineralized district by the
method being used
Note 1 to entry: Reliability depends not only on whether a readily detectable target exists and how effective
the exploration (3.2.5) method is in locating it, but also on the extent to which the anomaly (3.1.2) is specifically
related to ore and the extent to which it is possible that non-significant anomalies may confuse the interpretation
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8
geophysical prospecting
making and interpretation of certain physical measurements to obtain information on the subsurface
and surface geological structures
3.1.8.1
air shooting
technique of applying a seismic pulse to the ground by detonating explosive charges in the air, in seismic
prospecting (3.1.8.14)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.2
anodic zone
zone of electropositive potential, in the electrical self-potential method (3.2.11) of geophysical prospecting
(3.1.8), if the chemical composition of the soil or subsoil is such as to give electrical polarization
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.3
arc shooting
method of refraction seismic prospecting (3.1.8.14) in which the variation of travel time (velocity) with
azimuth from a shot point is used to infer geologic structure
Note 1 to entry: The term also applies to a refraction spread placed on a circle or a circular arc with the centre at
the shot point.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.4
Bouguer gravity
gravity values after latitude, elevation and Bouguer corrections have been applied
Note 1 to entry: Used in the gravitational method of geophysical prospecting (3.1.8).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.5
bursting time
maximum difference in time lag between the bursting of the earliest and latest detonators in a series,
in seismic prospecting (3.1.8.14)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.6
magnetic method
magnetic prospecting
geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) method that maps variations in the magnetic field (3.8.4) of the Earth
that are attributable to changes of structure or magnetic susceptibility in certain near surface rocks
Note 1 to entry: Sedimentary rocks generally have a very small susceptibility compared with igneous or
metamorphic rocks, and most magnetic surveys (3.6) are designed to map structure on or within the basement,
or to detect magnetic minerals directly.
Note 2 to entry: Most magnetic prospecting is now carried on with airborne instruments
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.7
noise
all recorded energy not derived from the explosion of the shot
Note 1 to entry: Sometimes loosely used for all recorded energy except events of interest.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.8
normal field
smoothed value of a magnetic field (3.8.4) component as derived from a large-scale survey (3.6),
worldwide or of continental scope, in magnetic prospecting (3.1.8.6)
Note 1 to entry: The normal field of the Earth varies slowly with time, and maps of it are as of a certain date.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.9
profile
data recorded from one shot point by a number of groups of detectors, in seismic prospecting (3.1.8.14)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.10
reference seismometer
detector placed to record successive shots under similar conditions, to permit overall time comparisons,
in seismic prospecting (3.1.8.14)
Note 1 to entry: Used in connection with the shooting of wells for velocity.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.11
reflection
returned energy (in wave form) from a shot that has been reflected from a velocity discontinuity back
to a detector; the indication on a record of reflected energy, in seismic prospecting (3.1.8.14)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.12
refraction method
seismic method (3.1.8.13) of geophysical prospecting (3.1.8)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.13
seismic method
geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) method based on the fact that the speeds of transmission of shock waves
through the Earth vary with the elastic constants and the densities of the rocks through which the
waves pass
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.14
seismic prospecting
method of geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) in which vibrations are set up by firing small explosive
charges in the ground or by other artificial sources
Note 1 to entry: Precise measurements of the resulting waves are taken, from which the nature and extent of
underlying strata are revealed.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.8.15
seismic reflection method
geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) technique in which the structure of subsurface formations is mapped by
making use of the times required for a seismic wave (or pulse), generated in the Earth by a near-surface
explosion of dynamite or by other artificial sources, to return to the surface after reflection (3.1.8.11)
from the formations themselves
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.8.16
seismic shooting
method of geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) in which elastic waves are produced in the Earth by the firing
of explosives or by other means
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.9
gravity prospecting
mapping of the force of gravity at different places with a gravimeter (3.1.12.1) (gravity meter) to
determine differences in specific gravity of rock masses, and, through this, the distribution of masses of
different specific gravity
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.9.1
network
pattern or configuration of stations, often so arranged as to provide a check on the consistency of the
measured values, in surveying (3.6) and gravity prospecting (3.1.9)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.9.2
regional
contributions to the observed anomalies due to density irregularities at much greater depths than
those of the possible structures, the location of which was the purpose of the survey (3.6), in gravity
prospecting (3.1.9)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.9.3
residual gravity
portion of a gravity effect remaining after removal of some type of regional (3.1.9.2) variation; usually
the relatively small or local anomaly (3.1.2) components of the total or observed gravity field (3.8.4), in
gravity prospecting (3.1.9)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.9.4
noise
disturbances in observed data due to more or less random
inhomogeneities in surface and near-surface material
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.10
prospecting
search for outcrops or surface exposure of mineral deposit (3.10.28)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.11
radioactivity prospecting
exploration (3.2.5) for radioactive minerals utilizing various instruments, generally a Geiger counter or
scintillation counter, by measuring the natural radioactivity of earth materials
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.12
reconnaissance
part of exploration (3.2.5) for the purpose of identifying enhanced mineral potential on a regional scale
EXAMPLE An engineering survey (3.6) in preparing for triangulation of a region.
Note 1 to entry: Reconnaissance is based on:
— results of regional geological studies, regional geological mapping;
— preliminary field inspection;
— indirect methods such as airborne and others;
— geological interference and extrapolation.
Note 2 to entry: Reconnaissance aims at to identify mineralized areas worthy of further investigation towards
mineral deposit.
3.1.12.1
gravimeter
instrument which measures variations in the density of underlying rocks
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.1.12.2
pilot sampling
reconnaissance sampling
taking of preliminary samples of a mineral deposit (3.10.28) to study its mode of occurrence and its
detailed structure
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.12.3
reconnaissance map
map incorporating the information obtained in a reconnaissance (3.1.12) survey (3.6) and data obtained
from other sources
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.12.4
reconnoiter
make a reconnaissance (3.1.12) of; especially to make a preliminary survey (3.6) of an area for military
or geologic purposes
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.1.12.5
remote sensing
acquisition and interpretation of airborne or satellite images of the surface using infrared and visible
wavelengths of light
[SOURCE: Reference [1], adapted]
3.1.12.6
sampling
gathering of specimens of soils, water, sediments, vegetations, ore or wall rock for appraisal of an
orebody
Note 1 to entry: Since the average of many samples may be used, representative sampling is crucial. term is
usually modified to indicate the mode or locality; e.g. hand sampling (3.1.12.6.1), mine sampling, and channel
sampling.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.1.12.6.1
hand sampling
one of the major breakdowns in ore sampling (3.1.12.6) that includes grab sampling, trench or channel
sampling, fractional selection, coning and quartering, and pipe sampling
Note 1 to entry: These methods are used in sampling small batches of ore, etc.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.1.12.7
tectonometer
apparatus used on the surface to obtain knowledge of the structure of the underlying rocks
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.2
Exploration
3.2.1
detailed exploration
final exploration
detailed investigation of a coal or mineral area on which a preliminary report was favourable
Note 1 to entry: The final exploration of an area may involve a costly boring (3.3.4) program, survey (3.6), and
sampling (3.1.12.6).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.2.2
direction-finding method
electromagnetic exploration (3.2.5) methods in which one determines the direction of the magnetic
field (3.8.4) associated with the currents
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.3
electromagnetic method
group of electrical exploration (3.2.5) methods in which one determines the magnetic field (3.8.4) that
is associated with the electrical current through the ground
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.4
Eltran method
electrical exploration (3.2.5) method in which an electrical transient is sent into the Earth and the
change in shape of this transient is studied
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.5
exploration
search for coal, mineral, or ore by
— geological surveys (3.6);
— geophysical prospecting (3.1.8) (may be ground, aerial, or both);
— geochemical prospecting (3.1.7)
— borehole (3.3.2) and trial pits; or
— surface or underground headings, drifts, or tunnels
Note 1 to entry: Exploration aims at locating the presence of economic deposits (3.10.12) and establishing their
nature, shape, and grade, and the investigation may be divided into general exploration (3.2.7) and detailed
exploration (3.2.1).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], adapted]
3.2.6
galvanic electromagnetic method
electrical exploration (3.2.5) methods in which an electric current is introduced in the ground by means
of contact electrodes and in which one determines the magnetic field (3.8.4) that is associated with the
current
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.7
general exploration
preliminary exploration
investigation carried out along certain broad features of a coal or mineral area, with the object of
deciding whether the proposition is such as to warrant a detailed or final exploration (3.2.1), which is
often costly
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.8
geophysical exploration
exploring for minerals or mineral fuels, or determining the nature of Earth materials by measuring a
physical property of the rocks and interpreting the results in terms of geologic features or the economic
deposits (3.10.12) sought
Note 1 to entry: Physical measurements may be taken on the surface, in borehole (3.3.2), or from airborne or
satellite platforms
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Notes 1 and 2 to entry were originally part of the definition.]
3.2.9
inductive method
electrical exploration (3.2.5) method in which electric current is introduced into the ground by means
of electromagnetic induction and in which the magnetic field (3.8.4) associated with the current is
determined
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.10
resistivity method
electrical exploration (3.2.5) method in which current is introduced into the ground by two contact
electrodes and potential differences are measured between two or more other electrodes
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.2.11
self-potential method
spontaneous-potential method
electrical exploration (3.2.5) method in which one determines the spontaneous electrical potentials
(spontaneous polarization) that are caused by electrochemical reactions associated with clay or
metallic mineral deposit (3.10.28)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.3
Boring
3.3.1
air flushing
circulation of air through the drilling (3.1.3) apparatus during drilling (3.1.3) to cool the bit (3.5.3) and
to remove the cuttings from the hole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.2
borehole
hole of any predetermined diameter and length formed in any geological formation or manmade
material by drilling (3.1.3)
Note 1 to entry: Investigations carried out in such a hole can be to recover rock, soil or water samples from a
specified depth or to carry out in-situ tests and measurements.
3.3.3
borehole logging
determination of the physical, electrical and radioactive properties of the rocks traversed by a borehole
(3.3.2)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.4
boring
cutting or drilling (3.1.3) of a hole for blasting, water infusion, exploration (3.2.5), or water or
combustible gases drainage
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.3.5
gamma ray log
record obtained in borehole (3.3.2) logging of the radioactive emission of the rocks traversed by a
borehole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.6
laterolog
record obtained in borehole (3.3.2) logging of the electrical resistivity of the rocks traversed by a
borehole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.7
microlog
record obtained in borehole (3.3.2) logging of the porosity of the rocks traversed by a borehole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.8
neutron log
record obtained in borehole (3.3.2) logging of the combined hydrogen in the rocks traversed by a
borehole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.9
Schlumberger log
records obtained from instruments developed by the Schlumberger brothers for use in borehole (3.3.2)
logging
Note 1 to entry: Such records are the gamma ray log (3.3.5), laterolog (3.3.6), microlog (3.3.7) and neutron log
(3.3.8).
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971, modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.3.10
caving
rock fragment which falls from the sides of a borehole (3.3.2)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.11
collar
mouth of a borehole (3.3.2)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.3.12
deviation
wandering of a borehole (3.3.2) from its intended course
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4
Drilling
3.4.1
bentonite
special form of thixotropic clay used in the composition of drilling (3.1.3) mud
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.2
calyx drilling
method of rotary drilling using a toothed cutting bit (3.5.3) or chilled shot
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.3
circulating fluid
fluid pumped into a borehole (3.3.2) through the drill stem (3.5.1.8), the flow of which cools the bit
(3.5.3), washes away the cuttings from the bit (3.5.3), and transports the cuttings out of the borehole
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.4.4
core
cylindrical section of rock, usually 5 cm to 10 cm in diameter and up to several meters in length, taken
as a sample of the interval penetrated by a core bit (3.5.3) and brought to the surface for either geologic
examination or laboratory analysis
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.4.5
core drilling
method of rotary drilling in which a core (3.4.4) is recovered
Note 1 to entry: Core drilling is performed with hard cutters, usually with annular diamond rebar, and pipes for
the extraction of the drill core.
Note 2 to entry: Core drilling is performed from the surface to find orebodies and in underground mines to find
out how the orebody extends.
3.4.6
counter flush boring
reversed flush boring
method of core drilling (3.4.5) in which the circulating fluid (3.4.3) passes down the borehole (3.3.2) and
returns up the inside of the rods, providing continuous recovery of the core (3.4.4)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.7
deflection
intentional alteration of the course of a borehole (3.3.2) in directional drilling (3.4.8)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.8
directional drilling
art of drilling (3.1.3) a borehole (3.3.2) wherein the course of the hole is planned before
drilling (3.1.3)
Note 1 to entry: Such holes are usually drilled with rotary equipment and are useful in drilling (3.1.3) divergent
tests from one location, tests that otherwise might be inaccessible, as controls for fire and wild wells, etc.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.4.9
directional drilling
drilling (3.1.3) in which the course of a borehole (3.3.2) is controlled by deflection
wedges (3.5.23) or other means
Note 1 to entry: The technique of directional drilling is used:
a) to deflect a deviated borehole back on to course;
b) to deflect a borehole off course, either to bypass an obstruction in the hole or to take a second core (3.4.4).
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.4.10
drilling rate
overall rate of advancement of the borehole (3.3.2)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.11
monkey drift
small drift driven in for prospecting (3.1.10) purposes, or a cross-cut driven to an airway above the
gangway
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.4.12
mud flush drilling
method of drilling (3.1.3) in which a mud of controlled physical properties is used as the circulating fluid
(3.4.3)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.13
penetration rate
actual rate of penetration of drilling (3.1.3) tools
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.14
prove
ascertain the character of the strata by boring (3.3.4) or tunneling
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.15
rathole
hole drilled alongside a borehole (3.3.2) to accommodate the kelly (3.5.37) during rod changing
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.16
rope drilling
system of percussive drilling in which the drill string (3.5.31) is suspended at the end of a long rope
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.17
round trip
operation of withdrawing the drill rod (3.5.30), bit (3.5.3), among other things, from the hole, of the
extracting core (3.4.4), replacing rods and bit (3.5.3) and resuming drilling (3.1.3)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.18
sludge
rock cuttings produced by the drill bit (3.5.3)
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.19
spudding
operation, in rope drilling (3.4.16), of boring (3.3.4) through the subsoil at the start of a hole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.4.20
turbo drilling
system of drilling (3.1.3) in which the bit (3.5.3) is directly driven by a turbine at the bottom of the hole
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5
Machinery
3.5.1
auger
earth auger
tool, developed from the Archimedean screw, used for soil sampling (3.1.12.6) or the drilling (3.1.3) of
shallow holes
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
Figure 1 — Auger
3.5.1.1
auger bit
hard steel or tungsten-carbide-tipped cutting teeth used in an auger (3.5.1) run on a torque bar or in an
auger-drill head (3.5.29) run on a continuous-flight auger
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.2
auger boring
either hole or the process of drilling (3.1.3) a hole using auger (3.5.1) equipment
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.3
auger hole
hole drilled with a power-driven auger (3.5.1)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.4
breast auger
auger (3.5.1) supported by a breastplate against a miner's body
Note 1 to entry: Used for drilling (3.1.3) holes in soft coal.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.1.5
bucket auger
short helical auger (3.5.1) incorporating a steel tube to help hold the cuttings on the auger during
withdrawal from the drill hole
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.6
cleanout auger
cleanout jet auger
auger (3.5.1) equipped with water-jet orifices designed to clean out collected material inside a driven
pipe or casing (3.5.5) before taking soil samples from strata below the bottom of the casing
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.7
closed-spiral auger
soil sampling (3.1.12.6) auger (3.5.1) made by spirally twisting a flat steel ribbon to form a tube like,
hollow-centre, corkscrew like device
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.8
drill stem
auger stem
long rod used in rope drilling (3.4.16) to increase the weight acting on the bit (3.5.3)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.9
earth borer
auger (3.5.1) for boring (3.3.4) into the ground, working in a cylindrical box to retain the cut earth until
the tool is withdrawn
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.10
fuse auger
instrument for regulating the time of burning of a fuse by removing a certain portion of the composition
Note 1 to entry: It has a movable graduated scale that regulates the depth to which the auger (3.5.1) should
penetrate.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.1.11
hand auger
screw-like tool much like a large carpenters' bit (3.5.3) or a short cylindrical container with cutting lips
attached to a rod operated by hand, and used to bore shallow holes and obtain samples of soil and other
relatively unconsolidated near-surface materials
Note 1 to entry: Compare with auger (3.5.1).
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.11.1
hurdy-gurdy drill
hand auger (3.5.1.11) used to drill a borehole (3.3.2) in soft rock or rock material, such as soil, clay, coal,
etc.
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.1.12
power earth auger
mechanically operated auger (3.5.1) for exploring and testing deposit (3.10.12) that is not very hard
Note 1 to entry: The drilling (3.1.3) rig (3.5.46) may be mounted on a lorry or on continuous tracks when greater
depths may be reached.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.1.13
ship auger
auger (3.5.1) having a simple spiral (helical) body and a single cutting edge, with or without a screw on
the end without a spur at the outer end of the cutting edge, used to obtain soil samples in sticky material
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.2
bailer
tube, fitted with a valve at its base, which is lowered into a borehole (3.3.2) to remove cuttings and
water
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.2.1
dump bailer
liquid dump bailer
bailer (3.5.2) used in borehole (3.3.2)-cementation work, provided with a valving device that empties
the contents of the bailer (3.5.2) (cement) at the bottom of a borehole
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.3
bit
device that may be attached to, or is, an integral part of a drill string and is used as a cutting tool to
bore into or penetrate rock or other materials by utilizing power applied to the bit percussively or by
rotation
Note 1 to entry: See under the following types of bit; bevel wall, bottom discharge, bull nose, casing (3.5.5), casing
shoe (3.2.10), chilled shot, chopping, concave, cross, cruciform, diamond, drag, face discharge, fir tree, fishtail,
bond set, impregnated, non- core (3.4.4), pilot (3.5.44), plug, reaming, reaming shell (3.5.45), roller rock, rose,
sintered, spudding (3.4.19), under reaming, wallscraper, wedge reaming, wedge rose.
[SOURCE: Reference [1], modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.3.1
bevel wall bit
diamond coring bit (3.5.3) with its inner walls tapered to house a split ring core (3.4.4) lifter
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2.
Figure 2 — Bevel wall bit
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.2
bottom discharge bit
type of diamond coring bit (3.5.3) designed to prevent erosion of the core (3.4.4) by the flushing water
Note 1 to entry: The inner tube of the core barrel (3.5.18) is extended to protect the core, and the flushing water
after passing down the annular space between the inner and outer tubes, is discharged inside the bit (3.5.3) near
to the cutting face.
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.3
casing bit
diamond set or tungsten carbide tipped rotary bit (3.5.3) designed to bore out an annulus slightly larger
than the casing (3.5.5)
Note 1 to entry: It is withdrawn before the casing is inserted.
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971, modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.3.4
chilled shot bit
flat surfaced bit (3.5.3) used with hardened steel shot to drill rock by a milling action
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.5
chisel bit
percussive-type, rock-cutting bit (3.5.3) having a single, chisel-shaped cutting edge extending across
the diameter and through the centre point of the bit (3.5.3) face
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 3.
Figure 3 — Chisel bit
Note 2 to entry: Also called chisel-edge bit (3.5.3); chisel-point; Swedish bit (3.5.3).
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.3.5.1
chopping bit
chisel bit (3.5.3.5) used in rotary drilling to break up dropped core (3.4.4) or broken rock
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.5.2
spudding bit
heavy chisel bit (3.5.3.5) used in percussive drilling to drill through sub soil
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.6
concave bit
tungsten carbide drill bit (3.5.3) for percussive boring (3.3.4)
[SOURCE: Reference [1]]
3.5.3.7
diamond bit
rotary bit (3.5.3) using diamonds as the cutting media
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971]
3.5.3.8
drag bit
rotary bit (3.5.3) which has two or more cutting blades or wings with hard faced cutting edges
Note 1 to entry: Various types are the two wing, three wing, fishtail and pilot (3.5.44) bit (3.5.3).
[SOURCE: BS 3618-3:1971, modified — Note 1 to entry was originally part of the definition.]
3.5.3.9
face discharge bit
type of diamond bit (3.5.3.7) of similar design to that of the bottom discharge bit (3.5.3.2)
Note 1 to entry: The flushing water passes down the annular space between the inner and outer tubes of the
core barrel (3.5.18) and is discharged through holes in the face of the bit (3.5.3) without washing a
...