Exploration & Mining Glossary

Base Metal - A general term applied to relatively inexpensive metals, such as copper, zinc, lead.

Basin - A geological basin is a large, low lying area and one of the most common inland places for sediments to collect. Over time the sediment becomes buried under more sediment, resulting in an increase of pressure, which leads to the formation of sedimentary rocks. Example: Cobar Basin (see Cobar Basin/Superbasin).

Breccia - The textural description, which refers to angular fragments (>2mm in size) within a clastic rock. Can be caused by tectonics, debris flows, lava flows, hydrothermal fluids (See Hydrothermal Breccia), volcanic related mechanisms etc.

Brownfields exploration - Areas where mineral deposits were previously discovered, near-mine project.