Editing Mining engineering (section)

==Pre-mining==
[[File:The Prospector NC Wyeth.jpg|thumb|upright|''The Prospector'' by [[N. C. Wyeth]], 1906]]
As there is considerable capital expenditure required for mining operations, an array of pre-mining activities are normally carried out to assess whether a mining operation would be worthwhile.

Mineral exploration is the process of locating minerals and assessing their concentrations (grade) and quantities (tonnage), to determine if they are commercially viable [[ore]]s for [[mining]]. Mineral exploration is much more intensive, organized, involved, and professional than mineral [[prospecting]] – though it frequently utilizes services exploration, enlisting [[geologists]] and [[surveying|surveyors]] in the necessary pre-feasibility study of the possible mining operation. Mineral exploration and [[mineral resource estimation|estimation of the reserve]] can determine the profitability conditions and advocate the form and type of mining required.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Mineral discovery===
Mineral discovery can be made from research of mineral maps, academic geological reports, or government geological reports. Other sources of information include property [[assay]]s and local word of mouth. Mineral research usually includes sampling and analysing sediments, soil, and drill cores. Soil sampling and analysis is one of the most popular mineral exploration tools.<ref>Martins-Ferreira, M. A. C., Campos, J. E. G., & Pires, A. C. B. (2017). "Near-mine exploration via soil geochemistry multivariate analysis at the Almas gold province, Central Brazil: A study case." ''Journal of Geochemical Exploration'', 173, 52–63.</ref><ref>Mann, A. W., Birrell, R. D., Fedikow, M. A. F., & De Souza, H. A. F. (2005). "Vertical ionic migration: mechanisms, soil anomalies, and sampling depth for mineral exploration". ''Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis'', 5(3), 201–210.</ref> Other common tools include satellite and aerial surveys or airborne geophysics, including magneto-metric and gamma-spectrometric maps.<ref>Pires, A. C. B., Carmelo, A. C., & Martins-Ferreira, M. A. C. (2019). "Statistical enhancement of airborne gamma-ray uranium anomalies: Minimizing the lithological background contribution in mineral exploration". ''Journal of Geochemical Exploration'', 198, 100–113.</ref> Unless the mineral exploration is done on public property, the owners of the property may play a significant role in the exploration process and might be the original discoverers of the mineral deposit.<ref>Peters, William C, SME: ''Mining Engineering Handbook'', 2nd ed., Vol. 1, 1992, "Geologic Prospecting and Exploration," pp. 221–225, {{ISBN|0-87335-100-2}}</ref>

===Mineral determination===
After a prospective mineral is located, the mining geologist and engineer determine the ore properties. This may involve chemical analysis of the ore to determine the sample's composition. Once the mineral properties are identified, the next step is determining the quantity of the ore. This involves determining the extent of the deposit and the purity of the ore.<ref>Gumble, Gordon E, et al. SME: ''Mining Engineering Handbook'', 2nd ed., Vol. 1, C1992, "Sample Preparation and Assaying," pp. 327–332, {{ISBN|0-87335-100-2}}</ref> The geologist drills additional core samples to find the limits of the deposit or seam and estimates the quantity of valuable material present.

===Feasibility study===
{{Main|Mining feasibility study}}
Once the mineral identification and reserve amount are reasonably determined, the next step is to determine the [[feasibility study|feasibility]] of recovering the mineral deposit. A preliminary survey shortly after the discovery of the deposit examines the market conditions, such as the supply and demand of the mineral, the amount of ore needed to be moved to recover a certain quantity of that mineral, and analysis of the cost associated with the operation. This pre-feasibility study determines whether the mining project is likely to be profitable; if so, a more in-depth analysis of the deposit is undertaken. After the full extent of the ore body is known and has been examined by engineers, the feasibility study examines the cost of initial capital investment, methods of extraction, the cost of operation, an estimated length of time to pay back the investment, the gross revenue and net [[profit margin]], any possible resale price of the land, the total life of the reserve, the full value of the account, investment in future projects, and the property owner or owners' contract. In addition, environmental impact, [[mine reclamation|reclamation]], possible legal ramifications, and all government permitting are considered.<ref>Gentry Donald W., SME: ''Mining Engineering Handbook'', 2nd ed., Volume 1, 1992, "Mine Evaluation and Investment Analysis", pp. 387–389, {{ISBN|0-87335-100-2}}</ref><ref>O'Hara, T. Alan and Stanley C. Suboleski, SME: ''Mining Engineering Handbook'', 2nd ed., Vol. 1, 1992, "Costs and Cost Estimation", pp. 405–408, {{ISBN|0-87335-100-2}}</ref> These steps of analysis determine whether the mining company and its investors should proceed with the extraction of the minerals or whether the project should be abandoned. The mining company may decide to sell the rights to the reserve to a third party rather than develop it themselves. Alternatively, the decision to proceed with extraction may be postponed indefinitely until market conditions become favourable.