What term refers to the initial assessment of ore grade, including quality and quantity, before detailed mining?

• A. Open pit
• B. Bulk sample
• C. Character sample
• D. Drift

Answer: (C)

The initial assessment of ore grade, including quality and quantity, before detailed mining is captured by a character sample. This type of sampling is used to characterize the ore—its grade, mineralogy, and physical attributes—early in the project so engineers can form an initial estimate of value and plan. It helps determine whether the deposit is worth pursuing and informs early decisions about mining method, processing requirements, and capital planning.

Open pit and drift describe mining methods, not sampling concepts, so they don’t fit this idea. A bulk sample is larger and used to test processing performance and refine estimates more precisely, rather than providing the first characterization.