In mining projects, foreign investors and financial institutions take decisions on the basis of technical reports. In these reports concepts such as reserve, resource and grade have precise definitions and cannot be used in place of one another. Preserving these distinctions in translation is the very reliability of the report.
Licence documents
A mining licence covers a specific area and mineral group, and its scope cannot be exceeded. The licence number, group and term have meaning together. All three are carried over.
Area coordinates
The licence area is defined by coordinate points, and these points are the boundary of the area. Coordinates are carried over exactly and are not converted. The name of the system is preserved.
The mineral group distinction
Minerals are divided into groups, and each group has its own permit regime. The group designation is written in the document. It is preserved when carried over.
The distinction between reserve and resource
A resource means the quantity estimated to be in the ground, whereas a reserve means what is economically mineable. The two concepts are not used in place of each other. The distinction is the foundation of the report.
Confidence categories
Resources and reserves are classified by level of confidence, and the category names are standard. Category names are not translated freely. The terminology list is derived from the standard.
Grade values
The proportion of valuable metal in the ore is shown by the grade, which determines the economic value of the deposit. Values are carried over with their units. Decimal places are preserved.
Drilling data
Reserve calculations rest on drilling data, and every drill hole is numbered. The numbering is followed through the tables. The match is preserved.
Sample assay reports
Laboratory assays confirm the grade and contain method information. The name of the method determines how the result is interpreted. It is not skipped.
Geology reports
The formation and structure of the deposit are described in the geology report, and the terminology is dense. Geological terms are established. Equivalents are chosen consistently.
The operating project
How the mine is to be operated is defined in the project (işletme projesi), which includes the production plan. The plan tables are preserved with their structure. Period details are carried over.
Production and dispatch records
The quantities produced and dispatched are recorded regularly and are the subject of official notifications. Units are not mixed up. Period dates are preserved.
Explosives records
The use of explosives is subject to separate permits and records and has safety consequences. The records are carried over in full. Permit numbers are preserved.
Occupational safety documents
In underground and surface operations safety documents are numerous and may contain personal data. These files are handled with restricted access. The rule is defined in the contract.
Environmental permits
Mining activities are subject to environmental assessment, and the permit documents are in the file. The scope and term of the permit are carried over. The conditions are not skipped.
Rehabilitation plans
How the site is to be restored after operation is undertaken in a plan. Undertaking wording is binding. It is translated with care.
Independent technical reports
In financing processes independent expert reports are requested, and they comply with a specific reporting standard. The name and version of the standard are stated. The terminology is tied to the standard.
Transfer and partnership documents
Licence transfers and partnership transactions proceed through separate documents and are subject to permission. The document chain is preserved. Dates are tracked.
The costliest mistake in this sector
Translating resource and reserve with the same equivalent shows the investor a mineable quantity larger than it is. This mistake directly affects the financing decision and destroys the reliability of the report. The two terms are fixed separately in the list.