Unified criteria of classification systems as a tool for mineral resources management

Abstract

First classification systems of mineral raw material reserves and resources appeared in the beginning of the 20th century, which coincided with the mining development in the UK, Germany and the USA. Modern classifications of mineral raw materials and energy resources, their terminology, definitions and concepts have been developed and improved over the period of more than 40 years. Separate development of the most commonly used classifications has led to the emergence of various definitions and determinations of characteristics of the same or similar categories of mineral reserves and resources according to geological and technical-economic characteristics. Methodological approaches of “operational harmonization” (universal classifier) as a toolkit for resource management and investment analysis of deposits (subsoil areas) of solid (metallic and non-metallic) minerals have been suggested in the article including subsoil areas assessed according to the classifications of 1960 and 1981 and not involved in subsoil use. The performed analysis of the meaning of the main categories (classes, groups) of various classification systems makes it possible to identify and characterize features (criteria) that have a sufficient level of comparison and harmonization. It was established that the main differences of classification systems are related to the purpose and scope of their application, which is reflected in the number of categories and their definitions, and the requirements for the availability of permit documentation of various levels (approved project, land, ecology, etc.). A complex project of subsoil use has been classified, where primary and associated minerals and components, which are characterized by different degrees of knowledge, have been identified. In terms of this iron ore project, full consideration of all classification features of both separate component resources and the project as a whole has been recorded only when applying the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources.

Keywords

• reserves
• resource management
• categories
• classification features
• iron ore
• mineral resources