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Estimation practices for reserves of gold deposits.
Mining Latin America: Proceedings of the Mineria Latinoamericana Conference, November 17-19, 1986, Santiago Chile. London: Springer :201-219
In an effort to obtain information on mineral reserve estimation practices for precious metal deposits, a questionnaire was designed and sent worldwide to various mining and exploration companies. The questionnaire solicited information on such items as drill-hole spacings, mineral reserve estimation methods used, sampling and assaying practices, etc. In general, it was found that the most widely used method of mineral reserve estimation was the cross-sectional method, although the industry is making increased use of geostatistical techniques. In what can only be regarded as a healthy move, teams of both mining engineers and geologists were being used to calculate mineral reserves, so that both mining and geological reserves could be compared. A majority of the companies surveyed indicated that mineralogical tests were conducted on their samples to determine mineralogy as well as liberation characteristics. In addition to this, it was found that a high proportion of companies do conduct check assays on duplicates and sample rejects. However, only a few of these companies carried out any statistical analyses on the assay results. In addition, the problems associated with estimating the mineral reserves of precious metal deposits, particularly of gold and silver, is discussed, and was assembled mainly from the replies to the questionnaire. Examples are shown of how the kriging standard deviation can be used as a tool in deciding on a drill-hole spacing commensurate with a reasonable assessment of mineral reserves.
Mineral-deposits; Gold-mines; Mining-industry; Minerals; Geology
IH; Conference/Symposia Proceedings
MIR 10-86; Grant-Number-G1125151-3252
Mining Latin America: Proceedings of the Mineria Latinoamericana Conference, November 17-19, 1986, Santiago Chile
University of Nevada-Reno
Page last reviewed: September 2, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division