An Objective Approach to the Definition of some Mining Terms: Application to the Hasanc ¸ elebi Iron Ore Deposit

In the mining industry, definitions of terms such as geologic resource, geologic reserve, mineral resource, mineral, mineral reserve, ore, ore reserve, mineable reserve, and industrial minerals have long been a topic of debate, leading to significant confusion. This paper aims to discuss and compare these definitions while highlighting the differences through the example of the Hasanc ¸ elebi iron ore deposit, a vital iron ore source in Turkey. The methodology involves a thorough examination of the mineral property, which includes both the prospection and exploration phases, and an evaluation phase that determines the volume suitable for profitable extraction. The findings reveal that the differing definitions result in misunderstandings, particularly when reporting the results of mineral property assessments that are often consolidated under the term 'reserve.' The paper emphasizes the necessity for clarity in these definitions to improve communication within the mining industry and aid in the development of international standards.