Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Bilal Ahmad
Mining Department
Fifth Semester
17PWMIN0806
Assignment-One
Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Table of Contents
Overview of Mineral Resource Estimation and Ore Reserve Estimation: ......................................... 4
Resource: ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Reserve: ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Evaluation Process: ................................................................................................................................ 4
1-Collect Geological Information: ........................................................................................................ 4
1.1-Geophysical Survey: ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.2-Sampling: ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3-Splitting and variability: ............................................................................................................. 5
1.4-Compositing: ................................................................................................................................ 5
1.5-Surveying and Leveling: .............................................................................................................. 5
1.6-Density: ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.7-Contour Maps: .............................................................................................................................. 5
2-Building 3D Geological Model: ......................................................................................................... 5
2.1-Mineralization Envelop: ............................................................................................................. 5
3-Building Block Model and Grade model: ........................................................................................ 6
3.1-Qualified Person: ......................................................................................................................... 6
3.2-Estimation Process: .................................................................................................................... 6
3.3-Polygonal Method: ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.4-Inverse Distance Method: .......................................................................................................... 8
3.5-Kriging: ......................................................................................................................................... 9
4-Determine Resource: ....................................................................................................................... 10
4.1-Reserve Conversion: .................................................................................................................. 10
5-Pre-Feasibility Studies: .................................................................................................................... 10
6-Determine Reserve: .......................................................................................................................... 11
7-Feasibility Studies: ........................................................................................................................... 12
8-Conclusion:........................................................................................................................................ 12
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Table Of Figures:
Figure 1 Block Model ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
Figure 2 Polygon Method------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Figure 3 Inverse Distance Method ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Figure 4 Reserve Conversion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Evaluation Process:
Collect geological information
Build 3D geological model.
Build block model and extrapolate drill data to produce grade model.
Determine resource.
Acquire mining/metallurgical/economic info (Pre-feasibility Study).
Determine Reserve.
Feasibility Study.
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
The geological model is built using 3d soft modeling software. The most important data
comes from geological mapping and drill database but other soft data can also be used and
integrating this requires the modeler to use a both mix of data and geological intuition. His aim
is to define three dimensional and dimensional envelops that reflects characteristics that may
impact on economics. For example, erosion surfaces. One of the most important features he
needs to model is the mineralization envelop. These features will all have direct influence on
either the limits of mineralization or a mining or processing costs such as rock density,
hardness, degree of weathering.
2.1-Mineralization Envelop:
This defines the outer limits of mineralization. It may have hard boundaries where the
mineralization is known to be cut off sharply by say a faults or soft boundaries which defines
their outmost portion of a grading or fading out of the mineralization. In case of soft
boundaries, the ultimate limit of element mineralization will be defined later using statistics to
define where the grade drops below the applied cutoff.
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Mineralization envelop is sometimes divided into separate domains that have different
characteristics and needed to be treated separately. If two rock units have same mining content
characteristics they maybe clumped together to simplify the process.
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Quick
Cheap
Low tech
Can be done with sparse datasets, minimal geological understandings
Disadvantages are
Advantages are
Relatively quick
Relatively cheap
Can be done with sparse database
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Disadvantages are
Note that kriging also provides a standard error to quantify confidence levels which may be
important in classifying box has measured, indicated or inferred.
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Simple
Ordinary
Indicator
Multiple indicator
The geo-statistician will make a call as to which type of kriging is best suited to data set.
Advantages are
Time consuming
Trends to smooth data
4-Determine Resource:
A resource is concentration of minerals that has reasonable prospects for economic
extraction.
5-Pre-Feasibility Studies:
To define reserves and produce feasibility studies, we need more information than we
currently have and will carry out additional studies to collect that necessary data. This data
collection is normally done in three stages of increasing details.
Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) or Scoping Study, or Order of Magnitude Study
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Metallurgy
Rock mechanics
Engineering (mining methods, initial power, water, transport)
Environmental impact study
Socio-politic study
Legal
Tax, financing
Within 15% accuracy
6-Determine Reserve:
Once the pre-feasibility study is completed, reserve is estimated.
1. Reserves are mineable at current economic conditions
2. Take into account:
Practicality of mining
Economic of extraction
Mining dilution/recovery
Metallurgical recovery
3. Overall conversion factor: 40-80% ( general rule of thumb)
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Geo-statistical Ore Reserve Estimation October 01, 2019
Define practical stopes based on block model – often hand done on sections then linked in 3D
to form stope plan.
In case of Open Pit,
Use pit optimization software…
Most programs use Lerchs Grossman algorithm or Floating Cone method.
Calculate profit/loss for each block in model, taking into account which other blocks need to be
mined to get to the block in question.
7-Feasibility Studies:
Cost estimated to within 15%
Study includes:
Metallurgy
Optimize process, recoveries
Rock Mechanics
Core RQD
Rock strength testing
Engineering
Mining method
Power
Water
Transport
Define capex, refine opex
Environmental Impact Study (EIS)
Socio-political
Legal, Tax
Financing, offtake, power and water
8-Conclusion:
Having a completed positive feasibility study does not automatically mean it is going to
be developed. A feasibility study is simply a tool to assist in the Go / No-Go decision.
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