Exploration & Mining Glossary

Feasibility study - An assessment of the economic viability of a potential mining project. The study must consider all aspects of the project, including mine and processing plant design, waste disposal, environmental management and permitting. A feasibility study will only be undertaken after an extensive series of desk studies, exploration and trial mining and processing projects have been completed.

Flagship - Are the highest priority projects. Example; Mallee Bull, Southern Nights/Wagga Tank, Wirlong and May Day.

Fold - A geological fold occurs when one or a stack of originally flat and planar surfaces, such as sedimentary strata, are bent or curved as a result of permanent deformation.

Foliation - A microscopic to cenimetre scale structure, creating a fabric (the preferred orientation of minerals and mineral aggregates) within a rock. Primary foliation is formed during the deposition of sediments and the formation of magmatic rocks, Secondary foliation is caused by introduced stress and strain, and Cleavage (refer to Cleavage).

Footwall - Refers to the mass of rock strata underlying the orebody (see Ore). For the opposing side, see Hanging wall.

Fresh rock - The rock that shows no visible sign of weathering, rarely encountered in surface exposures.