Tables* to Define the Minimum Requirements for the Different
Mineral Deposit Categories (revised March, 2020)
Table 1 – Mineral Deposit Category Definitions
Mineral Deposit
Category
Producing Mine
Past Producing Mine
With
Reserves/Resources
Past Producing Mine
Without
Reserves/Resources
Developed Prospect
With
Reserves/Resources
Developed Prospect
Without
Reserves/Resources
Prospect
Occurrence
Bedrock Geochemical
Anomaly
Mineral Location
Geochemical Anomaly
Definition
Commodities are currently extracted for sale. Total of the produced ore plus the
published, defined reserves-resources must meet or exceed the minimum gradetonnage standard in Table 4.
Commodities were in the past extracted for sale. Past production must have met or
exceeded the minimum grade-tonnage standard in Table 4. Reserves-resources of not
mined material must also meet or exceed the minimum standard.
Commodities were in the past extracted for sale. Production must have met or
exceeded the minimum grade-tonnage standard in Table 4. No resources remain or the
existing reserves-resources do not meet the minimum standard.
Mineralization is present in three dimensions as defined by a delineation
drill/exploration program. Mineralization is present for a significant distance along
strike and down-dip, with numerous intersections that meet or exceed the minimum
grade-width standard in Table 3. Published reserves-resources meet or exceed the
minimum grade-tonnage standard in Table 4.
Mineralization is present in three dimensions as defined by a delineation
drill/exploration program. Mineralization is present for a significant distance along
strike and down-dip, with numerous intersections that meet or exceed the minimum
grade-width standard in Table 3. Reserve-resource figures have not been published or
the published reserves-resources do not meet the minimum grade-tonnage standard in
Table 4.
Mineralization is present in three dimensions as indicated by drill-hole intersections,
excavations, and/or surface channel rock sampling. Mineralization extends for a
significant distance along strike and down-dip with a minimum of three intersections
that meet or exceed the minimum grade-width standard in Table 3.
Mineralization is present in two dimensions as indicated by surface rock sampling
and/or isolated drill-hole intersection(s). At least one sample must meet or exceed the
minimum grade standard in Table 2.
Mineralization is present in two dimensions as indicated by surface rock sampling
and/or isolated drill-hole intersection(s). At least one sample must equal or exceed
one-half of the minimum grade standard for an occurrence from Table 2.
A mineral is present that may be of economic interest or is commonly associated with
a mineral of economic interest. If reported, the analytical value would be below the
minimum for a bedrock geochemical anomaly.
A location of transported material (e.g. boulders, till, lake sediment, soil), with an
analysis that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for a Bedrock Geochemical
Anomaly. Exceptions include placer mineral locations, sand and gravel aggregate,
well brines and gases.
Note: For polymetallic mineralization, combined individual values must meet or exceed the equivalent minimum
value standard.
* Modified from Procedural Guidelines for Qualitative Mineral Potential Evaluations by the Ontario Geological
Survey, by M.C. Rogers and C.N. Hart, 1995; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5929, 37p.
Table 2 – Minimum Requirements for an Occurrence
An occurrence is defined as mineralization that is present in two dimensions as indicated by
surface rock sampling and/or an isolated drill-hole intersection(s). At least one sample analysis
must meet or exceed the minimum grade or requirement for the commodity(s).
Commodity
Copper (Cu)
Lead (Pb)
Zinc (Zn)
Cobalt (Co)
Nickel (Ni)
Gold (Au)
Platinum (Pt)
Palladium (Pd)
Platinum Group Elements (PGE) - other
Silver (Ag)
Uranium Oxide (U3O8)
Thorium Oxide (ThO2)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Tin Oxide (SnO2)
Tungsten Oxide (WO3)
Tantalum Oxide (Ta2O5)
Lithium Oxide (Li2O)
Beryllium Oxide (BeO)
Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5)
Cesium Oxide (Cs2O)
Rubidium Oxide (Rb2O)
Rare Earth Elements (REE) - total
Heavy REE+Y (Eu, Er, Gd, Dy, Ho, Tb, Yb, Y)
Scandium (Sc)
Iron (Fe)
Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
Unconsolidated placer heavy minerals
Manganese (Mn)
Magnesium (Mg) - soluble
Vanadium (V)
Chromite (Cr2O3)
Semi-precious gemstones
Diamond
Salt (NaCl)
Potash (K2O)
Gypsum (CaSO4-2H2O)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Fluorite (CaF2)
Barite (BaSO4)
Celestite (SrSO4)
Sodium and/or magnesium sulphate
Magnesite (MgCO3)
Talc
Asbestos
Minimum Grade and/or Requirement
0.25%1 (2500 ppm)
1.00%1 (10000 ppm)
1.00%1 (10000 ppm)
0.07%1 (700 ppm)
0.11%1 (1100 ppm)
0.35 g/t1 (350 ppb); conversion 34.29 g/tonne (t) = 1 oz/ton
0.40 g/t1 (400 ppb)
0.40 g/t1 (400 ppb)
0.50 g/t1 (500 ppb)
20 g/t1 (20 ppm)
0.02%1 (200 ppm); conversion U x 1.18 = U3O8
0.03%1 (300 ppm); conversion Th x 1.14 = ThO2
0.07%1 (700 ppm)
0.10%1 (1000 ppm); conversion Sn x 1.27 = SnO2
0.05%1 (500 ppm); conversion W x 1.26 = WO3
0.01%1 (100 ppm); conversion Ta x 1.22 = Ta2O5
0.10% (1000 ppm); conversion Li x 2.15 = Li2O
0.10% (1000 ppm); conversion Be x 2.76 = BeO
0.10% (1000 ppm); conversion Nb x 1.43 = Nb2O5
0.10% (1000 ppm); conversion Cs x 1.06 = Cs2O
0.10% (1000 ppm); conversion Rb x 1.09 = Rb2O
0.10% (1000 ppm)
0.02% (200 ppm)
0.01% (100 ppm)
12.50%2
2.00%2
TiO2: 0.50% (5000 ppm); or Zircon (ZrSiO4): 0.15% (1500
ppm); or REE: 250 ppm; or Rare Metals: 250 ppm; or Gold: 50
ppb; or Diamond: 0.50 carats/hundred tonnes
5.00%2
5.00%2
0.15%2 (1500 ppm)
10.00%2
Present
Present
40.00%2
7.50%2; or 12.3% KCl; conversion K2O x 1.64 = KCl
40.00%2
5.00%2
10.00%2
20.00%2
30.00%2
25,000-100,000 tonnes estimated
10.00%2
10.00%2
1.00%2
Commodity
Wollastonite
Graphite - flake
High-purity silica (SiO2) and silica sand
Kaolinite
Bentonite
Volcanic ash (pumicite)
High-purity limestone, dolostone or marble
Low-purity limestone or marl
Clay and shale (general)
Nepheline syenite
Feldspar
Dimension (building) stone
Sand and gravel aggregate
Subsurface well brines
Coal
Leonardite
Clinker
Fuel and moss peat
Oil Shale
Oil Sand
Helium gas
Minimum Grade and/or Requirement
10.00%2
1.00%2
80.00%3
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
80.00% CaCO3, or CaCO3-MgCO3 equivalent3
30.00% CaCO33
Minimum 50% clay and maximum 30% carbonate3
Minimum 20% nepheline, 60% feldspar3
Minimum 50%3 plus an evaluation4
Evaluation4
Evaluation4
TDS: 100,000 mg/l; Na: 50,000 mg/l; K: 5,000 mg/l; Cl2:
50,000 mg/l; Ca: 20,000 mg/l; Mg: 3,000 mg/l; Br: 1,000 mg/l;
B: 100 mg/l; I: 40 mg/l; Li: 50 mg/l
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
Present - visible amount
0.25 to 0.49%
Approximate economically equivalent grade to the other metallic grades with the same designation, based
upon the average commodity prices for the one-year period from September, 2011 to August, 2012. These
average prices in $US are: Cu: $3.55/lb; Pb: $.91/lb; Zn: $.88/lb; Co: $13.00/lb; Ni: $8.04/lb; U3O8:
$51.30/lb; Mo: $12.50/lb; Ta: $103/lb; Sn: $8.56/lb; WO3: $17.70/lb; Au: $1656/oz; Pt: $1531/oz; Pd:
$638/oz; and Ag: $30/oz. Pd minimum revised from 0.95 g/t to 0.40 g/t due to $2533/oz price (Feb. 29/2020).
2
An arbitrary one-half value of the estimated minimum acceptable economic grade for the commodity.
3
Minimum value is a definitive characteristic of the commodity type for the occurrence to be of significance.
4
A preliminary evaluation is required to determine if the location is significant.
5
For a polymetallic location, combined individual commodity values need to meet or exceed the equivalent
of the minimum; e.g. 0.15% Cu + 0.40% Zn would equal the minimum.
6
A Bedrock Geochemical Anomaly has a rock analysis of from 50% to 99% of the Occurrence minimum.
A value below this may qualify as a Mineral Location.
7
Locations of transported material (e.g. boulders, till, lake sediment, soil), may have analyses that meet or
exceed the minimum requirements for an Occurrence or Bedrock Geochemical Anomaly but are always noted
as Geochemical Anomalies. Exceptions include placer mineral locations, sand and gravel aggregate, well brines
and gases.
1
Table 3 – Minimum Requirements for a Prospect
A prospect is defined as significant mineralization present in three dimensions as indicated by
drill-hole intersections, excavations, and/or surface rock channel sampling. Mineralization
extends for a significant distance along strike and down-dip with a minimum of three
mineralized locations that meet or exceed the minimum grade-width standard for the
commodity(s).
Commodity
Copper (Cu)
Lead (Pb)
Zinc (Zn)
Cobalt (Co)
Nickel (Ni)
Gold (Au) (34.29 g/tonne (t) = 1 oz/ton)
Platinum (Pt)
Palladium (Pd)
Platinum Group Elements (PGE) - other
Silver (Ag)
Uranium Oxide (U3O8) (U x 1.18 = U3O8)
Thorium Oxide (ThO2)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Tin Oxide (SnO2)
Tungsten Oxide (WO3)
Tantalum Oxide (Ta2O5)
Lithium Oxide (Li2O)
Beryllium Oxide (BeO)
Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5)
Cesium Oxide (Cs2O)
Rubidium Oxide (Rb2O)
Rare Earth Elements (REE) - total
Heavy REE+Y (Eu, Er, Gd, Dy, Ho, Tb, Yb, Y)
Scandium (Sc)
Iron (Fe)
Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
Unconsolidated placer heavy minerals
Manganese (Mn)
Magnesium (Mg) - soluble
Vanadium (V)
Chromite (Cr2O3)
Semi-precious gemstones
Diamond
Salt (NaCl)
Potash (K2O) (K2O x 1.64 = KCl)
Gypsum (CaSO4-2H2O)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Fluorite (CaF2)
Barite (BaSO4)
Celestite (SrSO4)
Sodium and/or magnesium sulphate
Magnesite (MgCO3)
Minimum Grade1 and/or Requirement X Width2
0.25% (2500 ppm) X 1 m
1.00% (10000 ppm) X 1 m
1.00% (10000 ppm) X 1 m
0.07% (700 ppm)
X1m
0.11% (1100 ppm) X 1 m
0.35 g/t (350 ppb)
X1m
0.40 g/t (400 ppb)
X1m
0.40 g/t (400 ppb)
X1m
0.50 g/t (500 ppb)
X1m
20 g/t (20 ppm)
X1m
0.02% (200 ppm)
X1m
0.03% (300 ppm)
X1m
0.07% (700 ppm)
X1m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.05% (500 ppm)
X1m
0.01% (100 ppm)
X1m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.10% (1000 ppm) X 1 m
0.02% (200 ppm)
X1m
0.01% (100 ppm)
X1m
12.50% X 5 m
2.00% X 5 m
TiO2: 0.50% (5000 ppm); or Zircon (ZrSiO4): 0.15% (1500
ppm); or REE: 250 ppm; or Rare Metals: 250 ppm; or Gold: 50
ppb; or Diamond: 0.50 carats/hundred tonnes X 1 m
5.00% X 5 m
5.00% X 5 m
0.15% X 5 m
10.00% X 1 m
Present in 3 dimensions
Present in 3 dimensions
40.00% X 5 m
7.50%; or 12.3% KCl X 5 m
40.00% X 2 m
5.00% X 2 m
10.00% X 1 m
20.00% X 1 m
30.00% X 1 m
100,000 – 500,000 tonnes estimated
10.00% X 1 m
Commodity
Talc
Asbestos
Wollastonite
Graphite - flake
High-purity silica (SiO2) and silica sand
Kaolinite
Bentonite
Volcanic ash (pumicite)
High-purity limestone, dolostone or marble
Low-purity limestone or marl
Clay and shale (general)
Nepheline syenite
Feldspar
Dimension (building) stone
Sand and gravel aggregate
Subsurface well brines
Coal
Leonardite
Clinker
Fuel and moss peat
Oil Shale
Oil Sand
Helium gas
Minimum Grade1 and/or Requirement X Width2
10.00% X 1 m
1.00% X 1 m
10.00% X 1 m
1.00% X 2 m
80.00% X 1 m
Present X 1 m
Present X 0.5 m
Present X 0.5 m
80.00% CaCO3, or CaCO3-MgCO3 equivalent3 X 2 m
30.00% CaCO33 X 2 m
Minimum 50% clay and maximum 30% carbonate3 X 1 m
Minimum 20% nepheline, 60% feldspar3 X 10 m
Minimum 50% plus an evaluation3 X 10 m
Evaluation3
Evaluation3
TDS: 200,000 mg/l; Na: 100,000 mg/l; K: 10,000 mg/l; Cl2:
100,000 mg/l; Ca: 40,000 mg/l; Mg: 6,000 mg/l; Br: 2,000
mg/l; B: 200 mg/l; I: 80 mg/l; Li: 100 mg/l
Present X 1 m
Present X 0.5 m
Present X 0.5 m
Evaluation3
Present X 5 m
Present X 5 m
0.50 to 0.99%
Grades as defined in Table 2 for an Occurrence. Conversions to oxides are also noted in Table 2.
Widths defined as stated or estimated true widths. These are considered significant, but not necessarily
“economic” widths; considerations of the normal style and form of the mineralization and the type of mining.
3
Requires an evaluation to determine if the prospect is significant.
4
Narrower widths may be used if of the equivalent grade/width value; e.g. 0.7 g/t Au X 0.5 m = 0.35 g/t/m.
5
For polymetallic deposits, combined lower individual values need to meet the minimum requirements; e.g. 0.15%
Cu + 0.40% Zn X 1 m would meet the minimum.
1
2
Table 4 – Minimum Requirements for a Producing Mine, a Past-Producing Mine
and a Developed Prospect with Reserves/Resources
The minimum grade and tonnage requirements for a producing mine, past-producing mine with
or without reserves/resources, and a developed prospect with reserves/resources are outlined in
this table. These figures would include both the produced ore and published defined
reserves/resources. These figures may be historical or NI 43-101–compliant.
Commodity
Copper (Cu)
Lead (Pb)
Zinc (Zn)
Cobalt (Co)
Nickel (Ni)
Gold (Au)
Platinum (Pt)
Palladium (Pd)
Platinum Group Elements – other
Silver (Ag)
Uranium Oxide (U3O8)
Thorium Oxide (ThO2)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Tin Oxide (SnO2)
Tungsten Oxide (WO3)
Tantalum Oxide (Ta2O5)
Lithium Oxide (Li2O)
Beryllium Oxide (BeO)
Niobium Oxide (Nb2O5)
Cesium Oxide (Cs2O)
Rubidium Oxide (Rb2O)
Rare Earth Oxides (REO)
Scandium (Sc)
Iron (Fe)
Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
Unconsolidated placer heavy
minerals
Manganese (Mn)
Magnesium (Mg) - soluble
Vanadium (V)
Chromite (Cr2O3)
Semi-precious gemstones
Diamond
Salt (NaCl)
Potash
Gypsum (CaSO4-2H2O)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Fluorite (CaF2)
Barite (BaSO4)
Grade (and Minimum
Equivalent1)
2.00% (0.25%)
8.00% (1.00%)
8.00% (1.00%)
0.50% (0.07%)
0.90% (0.11%)
4.0 g/t (0.40 g/t)
4.5 g/t (0.45 g/t)
4.5 g/t (0.45 g/t)
5.0 g/t (0.50 g/t)
220 g/t (22 g/t)
0.15% (0.02%)
0.25% (0.03%)
0.50% (0.07%)
0.80% (0.10%)
0.40% (0.05%)
0.10% (0.015%)
1.00% (0.15%)
1.00% (0.15%)
1.00% (0.15%)
1.00% (0.15%)
1.00% (0.15%)
1.00% (0.15%)
200 ppm
25.00%
4.00%
TiO2: 1.0%; or Zircon: 0.3%; or
REE: 500 ppm; or Rare Metals: 500
ppm; or Gold: 0.1 g/t; or Diamond: 1
carat/hundred tonnes
10.00%
10.00%
0.30%
20.00%
6 carats/hundred tonnes
80.00%
15.00% K2O or 24.5% KCl
80.00%
10.00%
20.00%
40.00%
Tonnes2
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000 or equivalent
100,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
TiO2, Zircon, REE and RM:
1,000,000; Gold: 100,000; Diamond:
10,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
25,000
Positive published evaluation or
regular production
1,000,000
10,000,000
10,000,000
5,000,000
5,000,000
50,000
50,000
Commodity
Celestite (SrSO4)
Sodium and/or magnesium sulphate
Magnesite (MgCO3)
Talc
Asbestos
Wollastonite
Graphite – flake
High-purity silica (SiO2) or silica
sand
Kaolinite
Bentonite
Volcanic ash (pumicite)
High-purity limestone, dolostone or
marble
Low-purity limestone or marl
Clay and shale (general)
Nepheline syenite
Feldspar
Dimension (building) stone
Sand and gravel aggregate
Subsurface well brines
Coal
Leonardite
Clinker
Fuel and moss peat
Oil Shale
Oil Sand
Helium gas
Grade (and Minimum
Equivalent1)
60.00%
Contained sulphate
20.00%
20.00%
2.00%
20.00%
2.00%
80.00%
Tonnes2
Contained kaolinite
Contained bentonite
Contained volcanic ash
80% CaCO3 or CaCO3-MgCO3
100,000
10,000
10,000
500,0003
30% CaCO3
Min. 50% clay and max. 30%
carbonate
Min. 20% nepheline, 60% feldspar
Minimum 50% feldspar
500,0003
100,0003
Lignite to sub-bituminous grade
Contained leonardite
Contained clinker
Contained peat
Contained oil
Contained oil
≥ 1.0%
50,000
500,000
500,000
500,000
500,000
100,000
100,000
100,0003
1,000,0003
1,000,0003
100,0003
50,0003
Positive evaluation or production
1,000,000
10,000 and/or production
10,000 and/or production
100,0003
1 million barrels
1 million barrels
Minimum grades based on the average commodity prices noted in Table 2 and on deposit grade-tonnage model
values. The first set of grades determined for the normal style of mineralization and mining method. Lower
associated grades in brackets are for estimated minimums for lower grade, larger tonnage deposit types amenable
to large-scale underground or open pit mining methods.
2
Significant, but not necessarily “economic” minimum tonnage limits; determined on the basis of the “normal”
style of the mineralization and the typical mining method. Equivalent ranges of tonnage values are defined for
lower grade, larger tonnage deposit types amenable to large-scale underground or open pit mining methods;
e.g. 2% Cu of 100,000 tonnes = 0.20% Cu of 1,000,000 tonnes. Minimum grade/tonnage limits are established to
screen out the economically insignificant, small-scale mines that produced in the distant past, during a phase in
the exploration process, or are historical resources of little or no consequence.
3
In addition to meeting the minimum deposit grade/tonnage values these must either represent minimum production
values or the deposit has undergone a published, positive economic evaluation.
4
For polymetallic deposits, combined individual values need to meet or exceed the equivalent of the minimum;
e.g. 100,000 tonnes of 1.0% Cu + 4.0% Zn would equal the minimum.
1