Letter to the Editor Confusing buzzwords

I refer to such terms as geologic reserves, mineral inventory, etc; the latest I note is the term mineable reserves (“Mineable reserves up 50% at Neptune’s Colomac bet” N.M., Jan 30/89). I can only guess what these terms really mean. For example, if someone were to assume that a mineable reserve is ore, as implied, what is it, if not mineable; — waste, possible ore, probable ore or something else, depending upon the writer’s intent.

It took a long time for the interested nonexpert to gain some understanding of the difference between waste and ore, and, for that matter for many apparent experts to understand the difference between proven, probable and possible ore. Now, these terms are seldom seen.

If the use of these new terms is intentional, to mislead and confuse the reader or simply a product of sloppy writing, it should be stopped, rather than contribute to the inherent inexactness and ambiguity of the mining exploration and development business. R. J. Bradshaw, P.Eng. Timmins, Ont.

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