Mining Terminology - I

As a leading player in natural resources exploration and mining, Rachana Global team is dedicated to provide services for mining and exploration of various minerals like coal, iron ore, tantalum, gold, titanium and fluorite. Following is the list of some standard and common terms used during mining activities carried on in top mining companies among which one is Rachana Global.

Inby - In the direction of the working face.

Incline - Any entry to a mine that is not vertical like shaft or horizontal like adit. Often incline is reserved for those entries that are too steep for a belt conveyor (+17 degrees -18 degrees), in which case a hoist and guide rails are employed. A belt conveyor incline is termed a slope.

Incompetent - Applied to strata, a formation, a rock, or a rock structure not combining sufficient firmness and flexibility to transmit a thrust and to lift a load by bending.

Indicated coal resources – Coal for which estimates of the rank, quality, and quantity have been computed partly from sample analyses and measurements and partly from reasonable geologic projections. The points of observation are ½ to 1 ½ miles apart. Indicated coal is projected to extend as ½ mile wide belt that lies more than ½ mile from the outcrop or points of observation or measurement.

Induced Polarization - Discovered in the early days of resistivity surveying, IP is based on the finding that certain types of mineral deposits can be "charged" and will hold an electrical charge passed through them. When the charge is turned off, it does not "switch off" but instead drains off over time. Resistivity and IP are usually done at the same time. This is particularly useful in detecting sulphide minerals which may be economic in themselves, or which can serve as pathfinders to other mineral deposits.

Inferred coal resources – Coal in unexplored extensions of the demonstrated resources for which estimates of the quality and size are based on geologic evidence and projection. Quantitative estimates are based largely on broad knowledge of the geologic character of the deposit and for which there are few, if any, samples or measurements. The estimates are based on an assumed continuity or repletion of which there is geologic evidence; this evidence may include comparison with deposits of similar type. Bodies that are completely concealed may be included if there is specific geologic evidence of their presence. The points of observation are 1 and half to 6 miles apart.

In situ - In the natural or original position. Applied to a rock, soil, or fossil when occurring in the situation in which it was originally formed or deposited.

Intake - The passage through which fresh air is drawn or forced into a mine or to a section of a mine is called intake.

Intermediate section - A term used in belt and chain conveyor network to designate a section of the conveyor frame occupying a position between the head and foot sections.

Intrusive – This term usually refers to mineral deposits that are formed by the upward movement of magma toward the earth's crust. The intrusive rock itself can host a large porphry type deposit (low grade, large tonnage), or important concentrations of minerals can be found around the edges where the intrusive rock has interacted with country rock. Also, because of the different mineral properties of intrusive rock, mineralization can concentrate in skarns situated to either side of the mineral "cap" or top of the deposit having "pooled" there through hydrothermal processes or leaching from the crust. 

Immediate roof - The roof strata immediately above the coalbed, requiring support during the excavation of coal
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