UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK

CLASSIFICATIONS (UNFC) FOR

ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN
INDIA
 PREVIOUS ORE RESERVE
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
 CLASSIFICATION OF ORE RESERVE/RESOURCE

RESERVES are appropriately assessed quantity of material, which

is economically extractable with existing technology.

RESOURCE is concentration of material of intrinsic economical

interest in and on the earth crust in such a form, quality and
quantity that there are reasonable prospect of economical
extraction. In other words it is quantity of material, which are
assessed but not presently extractable.

Presently there is growing understanding that reserves are part

of recourses, so new term “Total Recourses” is introduced which
has two parts: (1) Reserves and (2) Additional Recourses.

“Classification of mineral reserve/recourses is

process of arrangement with respect to degree of
assurance/ reliability.”
“ Manual of Mineral Exploration”

• Developed Reserves

• Proved Reserves

• Probable Reserves

• Possible Reserves

• Potential Reserves
BIS CLASSIFICATION (1989)

1. Ore/ Mineral Reserves

• Proved Reserves
• Probable Reserves
• Possible Reserves

2. Prospective Resource

3. Conditional Resource
 CLASSIFICATION SCHEME OF MAJOR COUNTRIES

• Russia and European countries:

Category Purpose

A Production and Planning mine projection.

B Estimating mining investment and

planning of development of the deposit.

C1 Long-term development plans for

projecting development needs.

C2 Planning further prospecting.

2. USGS:
Category Purpose
Measured Production and Planning of mine.
Indicated Detailed exploration.
Inferred Planning further exploration.

3. Western Europe:
Economic Proved
Marginal Economic Probable
Sub marginal economic Possible
4. China:
Total Identified Mineral Resources Undiscovered
Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance
Economic Proved Probable
Extractable Extractable
Reserves Reserves

Basic
Reserves
Probable
Extractable
Reserves

Basic
Basic
Reserves
Reserves
Marginal Basic Basic
Economic Reserves Reserves
Sub Resource Resource Resource Resource
marginal
Economic
 CLASSIFICATION VIS-À-VIS RELIABILITY
USGS/USBM CLASSIFICATION USSR CLASSIFICATION INDIAN CLASSIFICATION

Category Purpose Permissi Cate Purpose Permissi Category Purpose Permissi

ble gory ble ble
Error Error Error
A Production 15-20% Developed Production 0-10%
planning planning & ready
mine for mining
projection
Measured 0-20% B Estimating 20-30% Proved Investment 10-20%
mining decision mine
investment planning
and planning
of
development
of deposit
Indicated 20-40% C1 Long-term 30-60% Probable Backup tonnage 20-50%
development to prove reserves
plans for for investment
projecting for mine
exploration development likely
needs geological reserve
to decide on
detailed
exploration

Inferred Planning for C2 Planning 60-90% Possible First quantitative

further further approximation for
exploration prospecting planning for
national resource
survey
 OBJECTIVE
• The UN Framework Classification (UNFC) has been
developed by the United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE) on the basis of a proposal by the
German Government, which was in turn based on a
classification originally developed by the Federal Institute
for Geo sciences & Natural Resources in 1991. The work
was supported by various Workshops, Task force meetings
representing about 40 countries.
• The main objective of the UN Frame work Classification
is to create an instrument that will permit
reserve/resources of solid fuels and mineral commodities
to be classified on an internationally uniform system
based on market economic criteria.
 OBJECTIVE
• This new classification system is designed to allow incorporation
of existing terms into it in order to make them comparable and
compatible, thus enhancing international communication.
• A further objective is create a generally understandable and simple
system easy to use by all interested parties.

• It should directly reflect the procedures used in the practice to

investigate and evaluate minerals reserves/resources and should
accommodate the results of these investigations and evaluations i.e.
the reserves/resources figures quoted in the respective reports and
documents.
 UNFC CLASSIFICATION

• In 1997, the Energy Division, United Nations

Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE),
Geneva, circulated a draft UN Framework
Classification for Mineral resources.
• In Nov, 1999, the UNCEF recommended a global
system of classification of mineral resources based
on 3- digit code. This system makes a clear
distinction between reserves and resources.
 UNFC CLASSIFICATION

• The exploration agencies in Indian follow the

classification of mineral reserves/resources
evolved by the Geological Survey of India and
published in it’s report of the Committee on
standardization of Terminology and classification
of Ore Reserves dated June 1981.
• The exploration practices in different types of
deposits as suggested by GSI were adopted by BIS
in IS 12595:1989.
 UNFC CLASSIFICATION
• A number of countries have adopted in this
system.
• The Government of India also decided to
implement this classification in India also since
the UNFC is aimed at universally understandable
scheme for classifying and reporting
reserves/resources data.
• Ministry of Mines on 30 May 2000 constituted a
Committee comprising members from various
government organizations and mining industry to
formulate field guidelines for implementation
UNFC in exploration and mineral resources
estimation in India
Geological Axis

Feasibility Axis

Economic Axis
 UNFC PARAMETERS
Geological Assessment

G4- Reconnaissance
G3- Prospecting
G2- General Exploration
G1- Detailed Exploration

Feasibility Assessment

F1- Feasibility study and/or mining report

F2- Pre-feasibility study
F3- Geological study

Economic viability

E1- Economic
E2- Potentially Economic
E3- Intrinsic Economic
 UNFC CLASSIFICATION
Mineral Reserves

• Proved Mineral Reserves

• Probable Mineral Reserves

Mineral Resources

• Measured Mineral Resources

• Indicated Mineral Resources
• Inferred Mineral Resources

Additional Mineral Resources

• Feasibility Mineral Resources

• Pre-Feasibility Mineral Resources
• Reconnaissance Mineral Resources
CLASSIFICATION OF DEPOSITS ON
GEOLOGICAL PARAMETER

INFERED

POSSIBLE

PROVED
GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

• RECONNAISSANCE
• PROSPECTING
• GENERAL EXPLORATION
AND
• DETAILED EXPLORATION
FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT

• Feasibility assessment studies form an

essential part of the process of assessing a
mining project.
• The typical successive stages of feasibility
assessment i.e. geological study as initial
stage followed by pre-feasibility and
feasibility study/mining report are well
defined
 ECOMOMIC VIABILITY

• The degree of economic viability

(economic or sub economic) is
assessed in the course of pre-
feasibility and feasibility
studies.
• A pre-feasibility study provides a
preliminary assessment with a
lower level of accuracy than that
of a feasibility study, by which
economic viability is assessed in
detail.
 THREE DIGIT CODE SYSTEM

231
Economic Axis Feasibility Axis Geological Axis
 3-D REPRESENTATION
Fig. 1

1 1
2 111 2
xis3 Ge
lity
A 121 Re 3 olo
sibi F 1 122 ser 4 gic
a
Fea ves lA
xis
G

211
221
2 222

Total Resource
Re
Re mai
sou nin **
rce g
331
3 332
333
334

Economic
E

Axis
FE
M I A SI B
NI
N G I LI T
PR RE Y ST D N
ST E FE PO UD I LE TI O
UD AS RT Y& T A RA
GE Y IB DE PLO AL TI ON
O
ST LO
UD G
Y I CA
ILITY
1 1 EX
R
NE RA
G E PLO TI
NG CE
L
2 111
2 EX O SP
EC
NA
I SS
AN

xis
3 3 PR
CO
N
RE
i li ty A 4
Fea
sib F IC
1 Ge
olo
gic
OM
EC
ON
IA
LL
Y
2 G a lA
xis
ENT IC
T M
PO O NO LY
E C ICAL
S C
3
I N
TR MI
I N O NO
EC
Economic

E
Axis
 CORRESPONDANCE OF UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CLASSIFICATION (UNFC) TERMS AND
CODES TO INDIAN SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES AS ADOPTED IN
NATIONAL MINERAL INVENTORY (NMT) DATABASE, INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES
UN FRAMEWORK CLASSIFICATION CODE NATIONAL MINERAL INVENTORY (NMI)
(UNFC) TERM TERM
I. Mineral; Resource Insitue reserves in freehold and idle lease area of
(Intrinsic economic value) which grades are unclassified/not known and for
which no scientific pre-feasibility/feasibility study has
been done to estimate recover factor.

1. Proved 331 Proved

2. Probable 332 Probable
3. Inferred 333 Possible
II. Mineral Reserve Recoverable reserve in Leasehold areas where mining
(Economically mineable part of a is in progress and in freehold/idle lease areas for
measured and/or indicated Mineral which pre-feasibility or feasibility studies or mining
Resource) plans have been prepared or preliminary estimations
of recovery factor on scientific basis has been done.

1. Proved 111 Proved

2. Probable 121&122 Proved/Probable/Possible
III. Reconnaissance Mineral 334 Prospective resource
Resources
IV. Pre-feasibility and feasibility 221, 222 Conditional Resource in freehold and idle leasehold
Mineral Resources. & 211 areas of which grades are sub-economic and/or in the
(Not economically mineable due to leasehold areas where mining has not started/has
techno-economic, legal, social, stopped due to forest and/or environmental and/or
environmental and governmental socio-economic problems.
factors based on pre-feasibility and
feasibility study or otherwise
scientifically carried out estimations)
GEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
FOUR CODES
(1) DETAILED EXPLORATION
(2) GENERAL EXPLORATION
(3) PROSPECTING
(4) RECONNAISSANCE
FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT
THREE CODES
1
2
3
ECOMOMIC ASSESSMENT
THREE CODES
1
2
3
 FIELD GUIDELINES FOR THE
SEVEN TYPES OF DEPOSITS
• Stratiform, strtabound and tabular deposits of regular habit
• Stratiform, strtabound and tabular deposits of irregular habit
• Lenticular bodies of all dimensions including bodies of
occurring en echelon silicified linear zones of composite
veins
• Lenses, veins and pockets; stock works, irregular shaped,
modest to small size bodies
• Gemstones and rare metal pegmatite’s stock works,
irregular shaped, modest to small size bodies
• Placer and residual refectory mineral deposits of hill and
valley wash
• Dimensions Stones
 STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF REGULAR HABIT
• Deposits of regular habit with predicable change in
trend with sharp to moderate physical contrast with
bounded surfaces, low dipping to moderately steep,
simply folded and faulted. Also as blanket cappings
and surficial tabular bodies

• Coal seams, lignite beds, iron ore formation and

cappings, manganese horizons in sedimentary and
metasedimentary sequences, thick bauxite cappings,
regional chromite lodes in large ultramafics;
limestone, dolomite, barites, gypsum, evaporites
(including potash and salt beds),chalk and fireclay,
fuller’s earth
 STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF REGULAR HABIT

G4 G3 G2 G 1 (Detailed
(Reconnaissance) (Prospecting) (General Exploration)
Exploration)
 STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF REGULAR HABIT
F3
(Geological Study)
1.Geological and related study:
(i) Geological mineralogical
and chemical analysis data:
(ii) Topographical setting and
nature of land;
(iii) Infrastructure:
(iv) Meteorological and
preliminary ecology data if
possible.
2.The activities as above or less
than that required for F 2.
F2
(Pre-feasibility Study)
1.Geology:
Local geology, mineralogy, identification of
ore types and geometry.
2. Mining: Methods, pre-production plan,
development plan, manpower (rough
estimate)
3. Environment: Base line data on
environment.
4. Processing: Proven laboratory scale/pilot
scale beneficiation, investigation data likely
establishment.
5. Infrastructure and services, construction
activities : Brief details
6. Costing: Capital and operating cost-rough
estimates based on comparable mining
operations.
7.Marketing: Overview like industrial
structure, demand supply relation, pricing
etc.
8. Economic viability: Preliminary study of
cash flow forecasts.
9. Other factors : statutory provisions relating
to labour, land, mining, taxation, etc.
F1
(Feasibility Study)
1. Geology: Geology of area and project detailed
exploration, closed spaced drilling, ore body
modeling, bulk samples for beneficiation,
geotechnical and ground water & surface waters
studies. However for coal, beneficiation studies to
be carried out depending upon coal qualities.
2. Mining : Ming plan, mine recoveries and
efficiencies, equipment selection, manpower
requirement.
3. Environment : EIA studies and EMP including
socio-economic impact, rehabilitation of project
affected persons, waster disposal/reclamation,
detailed land use data.
4.Processing: Pilot scale/industrial scale
investigation data, list of equipment, manpower
and environmental considerations like waster
disposal of tailing, etc.
5. Infrastructure and services, construction
activities : Full details
6.Costing: Detailed break-up of capital cost,
operating cost, details of working capital.
7. Marketing: Overview, specific market aspects.
8. Economic viability: Cash flow forecast,
inflation effects, sensitivity studies.
9.Other factors: Statutory provisions relating to
labour, land, mining, taxation etc.
 STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF REGULAR HABIT
E3
(Intrinsically Economic)
1. Reconnaissance to detailed
Geological study,rough estimates of
grades (may be below economic
cut-off),general idea about
forest/non-forest and land use
status.
2. The activities as above or less
than that required for E 2.
E2
(Potentially Economic)
1. General and detailed exploration
2. specific end use grades of
reserves (above /marginally below
economic cut-off grade).
3.General knowledge of forest/non-
forest and other land use data.
E1
(Economic)
1. Detailed exploration.
2. Mining report/mining
plan/working mines.
3. specific end-use grades of
reserves (above economic cut-off
grade).
4. Specific knowledge of forest/non-
forest and other land use data.
 II. STRATIFORM,STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF IRREGULAR HABIT

• Of irregular habit and /or with faults of large measures, shear

zones, solution cavities, irregular erosion and weathering
(oxidation) features, partings and bifurcations, igneous intrusives,
facies changes, etc.
• Coal seams, lignite belt, iron ore formations and cappings,
manganese horizons in sedimentary and meta-sedimentary
sequences, thick bauxite cappings, regional Chromite lodes in
large ultramafics, limestone dolomite, barites, gypsum, evaporites
including potash and salt belts, chalk and fireclay, fullers earth,
gold in banded iron formation, platinum group of elements in
Chromite or in Chromite bearing rocks and molybdenum in shear
controlled zones
 II. STRATIFORM,STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF IRREGULAR HABIT

G4 G3 G2 G 1 (Detailed
(Reconnaissance) (Prospecting) (General Exploration)
Exploration)
 F3
(Geological study)
1.Geological and related study:
(i) Geological study encompassing
reconnaissance to prospecting
general/detailed exploration;
(ii) Geological map depicting extent of
mineralisation lithology/host
rocks,mineralogical and chemical data
and its interpretations, studies on
amenability to beneficiation, recoveries
and their estimates:
(iii) Infrastructure
(iv) Environmental:
Meteorological and preliminary
ecology data of area if possible.
2. The activities as above or less than
that required for F2.
F2
(Pre-feasibility study)
1.Geology:General/detailed
explorationmoderate to close spaced
drilling, trench/pit/bore hole sampling
to delineate xomplexity of ore body/
mineralisation,bulk sampling for
scale/pilot scale)
2.Mining: Methods with geothechnical
considerations,pre-production
plan,likely mine recoveries.
3. Environment: Base line data on
environment of the area.
4,Processing: Proven laboratory
scale/pilot scale ore dressing
investigations on bulk samples, likely
establishment of plant and cost
estimates thereof.
5. Infrastructure and services,
construction activities: Brief details
6. Costing: Capital cost with estimates
based on comparable mining
operations.
7.Marketing: Overview like industrial
structure, demand supply relation,
pricing etc.
8. Economic viability :Preliminary
study of cash flow forecasts.
9. Other factors: staturoty provisions
relating to labour, land, mining,
taxation etc.
F1
(Feasibility Study)
1.Geology: Geology of area and project detailed
exploration, closed spaced drilling. Ore body
modeling bulk samples for beneficiation,
geotechnical and ground water & surface waters
studies.
2.Mining : Methods with special emphasis on
detailed geotechnical test work/site characterisation
studies, safety measures; mining plan, mine
recoveries and efficiency with variability due to
structural complexities like closures of folds and
faults; detailed estimates of manpower.
3.Environment: (i) Environmental impact
assessment (EIA) studies/environmental
management plan (EMP) including socio-economic
impacts (ii) Rehabilitation of project affected
persons, and waste disposal/reclamation; detailed
hand used data.
4. Processing: Details of proven pilot plant
scale/industrial scale investigations appended with
layout design, equipment list fuel/power
consumption, specification for product/by product,
disposal of tailings, effluent and future remedial
measures.
5. Infrastructure and services, construction
activities: Full details
6.Costing : Detailed bread-up of capital and details
of working capital.
7.Marketing: Overview, specific market aspects.
8. Economic vaibility : Cash flow forecast, inflation
effects sensitivity studies.
9. Other factors : Statutory provisions (labour and
 II. STRATIFORM,STRATABOUND AND
TABULAR DEPOSITS OF IRREGULAR HABIT

E 3(Intrinsically E 2 (Potentially E 1 (Economic)

Economic) Economic)

1. Reconnaissance to 1. General and detailed 1.Detailed exploration.

detailed Geological exploration 2. Mining report/mining
study,rough estimates of 2.Specific end use grades plan/working mines.
grades (may be below of reserves (above 3. Specific and use grades
economic cut off general economic cut-off grade) of reserves(above
idea about forest/non- 3. General knowledge of economic cut-off grade)
forest and land use forest/non-forest and 4. Specific knowledge of
stauts. other land use data. forest/non-forest and
2. The activities as above other land use data.
or less than that required
for E 2.
 III. LENTICULAR BODIES OF ALL DIMENSIONS INCLUDING BODIES
OCCURRING ENECHELON, SILICIFIED LINEAR ZONES OF COMPOSITE VEINS

• Gradual and abrupt change in thickness and grade along

strike and dip direction; bounding surfaces of mineralized
bodies often, but in sulphides mostly defined by assay
contacts:
• (a) Massive bodies with irregular shape and grade-
homogenous to inhomogeneous distribution of metal values
as in replacement and disseminated type bodies -shapes
interpretative;
• (b) Steeply dipping narrow bodies with or without pitch,
pinch and swell type,with or with out bi-furcations ,partings
etc.
• Principal kinds of minerals
• Base metal sulphides, supergene iron and manganese ore
bodies in lateritoid country,pockety bauxite and
nickel,cobalt lateritoids, auriferous quartz reefs,PGM in
association with sulphides,graphite lenses,porphyry deposits
of copper,molybdenum, and tin,pyrite,pyrrhotite bodies.
 III. LENTICULAR BODIES OF ALL DIMENSIONS INCLUDING BODIES
OCCURRING ENECHELON, SILICIFIED LINEAR ZONES OF COMPOSITE VEINS
 III. LENTICULAR BODIES OF ALL DIMENSIONS INCLUDING BODIES
OCCURRING ENECHELON, SILICIFIED LINEAR ZONES OF COMPOSITE VEINS
F3
(Geological Study)
1.Geological and related
study: Geology of area,
reconnaissance and
prospecting by geochemical
and geophysical
surveys/general
exploration/detailed
exploration core and sludge
samples, for beneficiation;
geological maps depicting
extent and dimension of
mineralisation lithology of host
rocks, controls and guides for
mineralisation, amenability to
beneficiation; infrastructure;
environmental
2. The activities as above or
less than that required for F 2.
F2
(Pre-feasibility Study)
1.Geology: Geology of area, detailed
exploration/general exploration guided by
geochemical and geophysical surveys,
moderate to close spaced drilling, different
mineralised zones at viable cut off grades,
core and sludge sampling for exploratory
stage beneficiation studies/laboratory scale
investigation.
2.Mining: Methods,preproduction
plan,development plan,manpower
requirements.
3.Environment: EIA/EMP with details of
waste disposal and likely unavoidable effects
of projects.
4.Processing : Proven laboratory scale/pilot
scale ore dressing investigations on bulk
samples and likely establishment, cost
estimated for processing plant.
5.Infrastrcture and services, construction
activities: Brief details
6.Costing: Capital and operating cost-rough
estimates based on comparable mining
operations.
7.Marketing: An overview, demand supply
relations, industry structure.
8.Economic viability: Preliminary study of
cash flow forecasts.
9. Other factors: statutory provisions relating
to labour, land , mining, taxation, etc.
F1
(Feasibility Study)
1.Geology: Geology of area and project detailed exploration,closed spaced
drilling.exploratory mining upto 2nd level and underground
boreholes,channel/groove sampling (50-100cm.)ore body modeling, bulk samples
for beneficiation, geotechnical and ground & surface waters studies. However for
coal beneficiation studies to be carried out depending upon coal qualities.
2.Mining: Mining plan, mine recoveries and efficiencies, manpower requirement.
3. Environment: EIA/EMP including socio-economic impact, rehabilitation of
project affected persons, waste disposal/reclamation, and detailed land use data.
4.Processing: Detailed of proven pilot plant/industrial scale investigations,
appended with plant layout design, equipment list, manpower, fuel/power
consumption, environmental considerations disposal of tailings, effluents , and
future/present remedial measures.
5.Infrastructure and services, construction activities: Full details
6.Costing : Detailed break-up of capital cost, operating cost, details of working
capital.
7.Marketing: Overview, specific market aspects.
8.Economic viability: Cash flow forecast, inflation effects, sensitivity studies
9.Other factors: statutory provisions relating to labour, land , mining, taxation
etc.
 III. LENTICULAR BODIES OF ALL DIMENSIONS INCLUDING BODIES
OCCURRING ENECHELON, SILICIFIED LINEAR ZONES OF COMPOSITE VEINS

E 3 (Intrinsically E 2 (Potentially E 1 (Economic)

Economic) Economic)

1. Reconnaissance to detailed 1. General and detailed 1. Detailed exploration.

Geological study,rough
estimates of grades (may be
below economic cut-
off),general idea about
forest/non-forest and land
use status.
2. The activities as above or
less than that required for E
2.
exploration
2. specific end use grades of
reserves (above /marginally
below economic cut-off
grade).
3.General knowledge of
forest/non-forest and other
land use data.
2. Mining report/mining
plan/working mines.
3. specific end-use grades of
reserves (above economic
cut-off grade).
4. Specific knowledge of
forest/non-forest and other
land use data.
 IV. LENSES,VEINS AND POCKETS;STOCK-WORKS,
IRREGULAR SHAPED, MODEST TO/SMALL SIZE BODIES

• Bodies distributed in space lacking estimable regular patterns;

structural control less than lithologic, if any: small cluster of multi-
shaped bodies, of volcanic origin pipes and chimneys, of Magmatic
origin, plugs and pods, clots and segregation of hydrothermal origin
-vein and replacement. Bodies in stockwork,metamorphic and
metasomatic in skarn and tektities, in greisens and in thermal
aureole around intrusives.
• Small multimetal complex sulphides bodies of Cu-Pb-Zn-Sb-Hg,
podiform chromite,Sn- chimneys and pipes ; tektie mineral
bodies,skarn bodies of scheelite, powellite, wollastonite,f luorite etc
and semi-precious minerals, network of apatite, barite, asbestos
veins, vermiculite bodies, magnesite lenses and mica in pegmatites
,pyrophyllite lenses and veins, high grade bauxite in clay,ochre and
bentonite lenses, diamond pipes.
V. GEM-STONE AND RARE METAL PEGMATITES,
REEFS AND VEINS

•Highly erratic distribution of minerals and metals. No

trend in grade and thickness, no assured continuity, cluster
of high values in barren zones, structural and lithologic
controls.
•Principal kinds of Minerals
•Tin-tungsten-molybdenum veins and pegmatites, beryl,
topaz, emeralds, cesium deposits, mineralisation associated
with alkaline rocks, complexes and veins and plugs of
carbonatites.
 VI. PLACER AND RESIDUAL MINERAL DEPOSITS
OF HILL AND VALLEY WASH

• Eluvial, colluvial and alluvial placer concentration of

heavy metals and minerals, pebble and cobble,boulder
beds,gravel beds in alluvium and
colluvium,conglomerates,foothills fan deposits,grain size
from extremely fine striated material to rough to polished
boulders.
• Principal kinds of Minerals
• Placer tin and gold
deposits,monazite,garnet,iimenite,rutile,diamonds in
conglomerate,floats and gravel beds of courundum
kyanite,sillimanite,floats and talus deposits of magnetite.
 VII. DIMENSION STONES
• Surficial, occasionally bouldary or tabular, partly
weathered, jointed/fractured. recoverability
dependant on block size chosen vis-s-vis joint
spacing etc, marketable at buyer’s choice,
amenable to good polish with aesthetic colour or
colour combination.
• Principal kinds of minerals
• Coloured varieties, including granites, syenites,
syenites, schists, marbles,slates and sandstone,
migmatities, etc; black varieties including dyke
rocks, e.g. sills, plugs, batholiths
etc.e.g.,anorthosites, gabbro, etc.
 VII. DIMENSION STONES
F3 F2 F1
(Geological (Pre-feasibility Study) (Feasibility Study)
Study)

1.Geological and related 1.Geology : Geology of area , detailed /general 1.Geology: Detailed exploration;geological map
study: (i) Geological map exploration ; geological map delineating blockable delineating blockable areas and identification of
delineating Weathered areas and identification of productive zones with productive zones with recovery factors based on
and bounder zones recovery factors based on geotechnical studies geotechnical studies conducted.
blockable areas and conducted. 2.Mining: Mining plan,block recoveries and
recognition of geo- 2.Mining: Methods of mining, preproduction efficiencies, heavy machineries,equipment
morphological structure plan, manpower requirements through rough selection,manpower requirement.
and its analysis; estimates. 3. Environment: EIA studies with particular reference
prospectwise grab 3.Environemnt: EMP with particular reference to to geohydrology and hydrological aspects,bulk
sampling at grid geohydrology and hydrological aspects, bulk material, and EMP including socio-economic impact,
intervals; material handing management plan. rehabilitation of project affected persons, waste
(ii) Delineation of 4.Processing: Physical ccharacteristics data, detail disposal, detailed land use data.
probable productive of petro-fabric studies generated through 4.Processing: Industrial scale investigation data on
zones through grab laboratory investigations, possibilities of setting physical characteristics data, details of petrofabric
sampling and its up of cutting polishing plant. studies, setting up of cutting, polishing plant
analytical data; 5.Infrastructure, construction etc-Brief details. optional),list of equipments, manpower details.
(iii) Infrastructure; 6. Costing: Capital and operating cost-rough 5.Infrastructure,construction,etc: Full details
(iv) environmental: estimates based on comparable mining 6.Costing: Detailed break-up of capital cost, operating
meteorological and operations. cost, details of working capital.
preliminary ecological 7.Marketing: An overview on marketing aspects, 7.Marketing: overview, specific market studies.
data, if possible. demand supply relations, and industry structure. 8.Economic viability: Cash flow forecast, inflation
2. The activities as above 8.Economic viability: Preliminary study of cash effects, sensitivity studies.
or less than that required flow forecasts. 9.Other factors: Statutory provisions relating to labour,
for F 2. 9. Other factors: Statutory provisions relating to land, mining, taxation etc.
labour, land, mining taxation etc.
 VII. DIMENSION STONES

E 3 (Intrinsically E 2 (Potentially E 1 (Economic)

Economic) Economic)

1. Reconnaissance to 1. General and detailed 1. Detailed exploration.

detailed Geological exploration 2. Mining report/mining
study, rough estimates 2. Rough identification plan/working mines.
of coloured varieties, of marketable varieties. 3. specific identification
general idea about 3.General knowledge of of marketable varieties.
forest/non-forest and forest/non-forest and 4. Specific knowledge of
land use status. other land use data. forest/non-forest and
2. The activities as other land use data.
above or less than that
required for E 2.
TYPES OF DEPOSITS RECOMMENDED FOR FORMULATION OF FIELD
GUIDELINES

I. STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND TABULAR

DEPOSITS OF REGULAR HABIT
II. STRATIFORM, STRATABOUND AND TABULAR
DEPOSITS OF IRREGULAR HABIT
III. LENTICULAR BODIES OF ALL DIMENSIONS
INCLUDING BODIES OCCURRING En ECHELON,
SILICIFIED LINEAR ZONES OF COMPOSITE VEINS
IV. LENSES, VEINS AND POCKETS; STOCK- WORKS,
IRREGULAR SHAPED, MODEST TO SMALL SIZE
BODIES
V. GEM STONES AND RARE METAL PEGMATITES,
REEFS AND VEINS
VI. PLACER AND RESIDUAL MINERAL DEPOSITS OF
HILL AND VALLEY WASH
VII. DIMENSION STONES
Borehole Spacing for different types of Ore deposits
 ADVANTAGES OF UNFC
 AN INTERNATIONALLY UNIFORM SYSTEM BASED
ON MARKET ECONOMY CRITERIA.
 ENHANCES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS.
 SIMPLE, EASY TO USE.
 EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE ACROSS THE GLOBE
 PROJECTS THE TRUE WORTH OF A RESOURCE
ESTIMATE IN A SPECIFIC AND OBJECTIVE MANNER.
 A FLEXIBLE SYSTEM, MEETING THE REQUIRE-
MENTS FOR APPLICATIONS ON NATIONAL,
COMPANY OR INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL.