There is lingo in every field (medicine being a big sinner in this regard). Today I want to cover some basic mining lingo to help people who are newer to the world of resource exploration, speculation and investment. Please note that not all we analyze and write about is in this sector, but it is a big focus, in part because it is one of the few sectors that remains undervalued.

Most junior mining stocks attempt to achieve a series of project milestones, roughly in the order I present below.

Grassroots. A geologist stakes ground because a rock looked interesting after a conversation over beers. No resource, no revenue, nothing but a claim map and a story. Money disappears into optioning the property and maybe some helicopter fuel and renting rigs to begin exploratory drilling.