Fractal Geometry and the Mining Industry, a Review

Abstract

Fractal geometry is the creation of Mandelbrot, who published his first book on the subject in English in 1977 (Mandelbrot 1977). Fractal geometry is the geometry of rugged systems, that is objects having “non—smooth” boundaries and non—Euclidean shapes. From a study of rugged systems fractal geometers have derived many descriptive parameters for describing fractured systems such as broken rock and the random space filling structures of sedimentary systems such as sandstone and other porous systems. The term fractal geometry was coined by Mandelbrot from a Latin word meaning fractured. In the 15 years since the publication of Mandelbrot’s book, fractal geometry has found many applications in the mining industry.