Uncertainty in mineral deposit evaluation
Abani Samal
![Abani Samal]()
Abani Samal
(PhD, Fellow - SME, Fellow - SEG, CPG, RM-SME, FRCP) II CP/QP II Geoscience. Exploration. Mining II Consulting, Training & Coaching II
Simply doing a computerized resource estimation is not enough for evaluating a mineral deposit. It is still surprising how much of uncertainty due to geology and style of mineralization is not quantified in many cases. Rather the estimates are treated as static 'calculated' numbers (grade, tonnage). Therefore the un-assessed uncertainty can show up at later stage of the mining project in a different way such as poor re-conciliation, ore-loss etc.
We will be discussing some of that in February 2016 at SME meeting at Phoenix during a short course (Geostatistical Mineral Resource Estimation: Essential Steps and Elements of a Resource Model) and some technical sessions
- Applied Geostatistics in Quantifying Risk: Geology and Resources
- Applied Geostatistics in Quantifying Risk: Reserve and Mine Planning
- Applied Geostatistics in Quantifying Risk: Production and Reconciliation
See you there.
Consultant ( Mineral Processing)
8yMother earth is not predictable and accordingly certainity in reserve and quality estimation are questionable . However the same may be predicted within a close range as per actual core log data , how close the grid intervals and geologic characteristics of the depoest . Certainity to grade may be done to ceratin extent with blending of ROM ore before processing .
Operational leader || Change manager || Strategic thinker
8yWhen will you be in Perth next??.. Really like reading your posts..👍👍
Mining Advisor
8y2017...ok
Mineral exploration, project assessment,managing exploration projects, QAQC: core logging, data logs, geochem; Africa +
8yI think that part of the the problem is that many (not all!) resource estimations are done by staff who have had limited or no field experience - bedding planes and faults are not flat surfaces and nature gets in the way. And the final decisions are made by suits in offices and by investors who start planning on buying a Rolls Royce when the first good results in a greenfields project come in.
Country Manager
8yhow true. I've had a couple of frustrating moments dealing with cases where the pit designs have been influenced by variography modelling parameters that did not tie in well with the actual trend of the ore body (which in most cases you only find out when you start getting a decent exposure to map from actual mining and high density GC drilling) and you realize the high grade is heading straight into the pit walls much earlier than anticipated.