Assessment of computational accuracy of minimum commercial value for gold placers

Abstract

Economic indices of mineral mining meet conditions of finitude, single-valuedness, continuity and smoothness as any geological characteristic of the subsoil. Referring an economic index and unit volume needs that a rock mass is considered as a set of elementary volumes, and each elementary volume has peculiar quality and quantity of minerals, occurrence conditions, physical and mechanical properties, etc. In case of any specific mining technology, each elementary volume has cost/performance ratios of end product making–extraction, expenses and profit. The choice of mining technology and equipment is governed by the structure, quantity and quality of mineral reserves; thus, the economic structure efficiency should be evaluated for each specific mine and for each specific geotechnology. In the course of continuous improvement of mining technologies and equipment, the geological and economic structures of deposits, as well as their integral characteristics change. Acquisition of accurate economic indices needs estimation of major factors of influence on the cost of mining. More precise evaluation of profit requires complete data on a deposit by the time of mine planning and design, and this is only possible subject to improved geological backup of mining operations. This case-study of gold placers is an attempt to try to determine the mechanism and features of influence exerted by geological factors and process solutions on the efficiency of use of georesources via assessment and control of errors of the resources and profit return in mining and processing.