Abstract
The Zambujal ore deposit, Neves-Corvo mine, is a zoned volcanogenic sulfide deposit of copper and zinc, with massive ores at the top and stockwork ores at the bottom. Metal grades are strongly zoned by ore types. The main methodology hereby proposed combines geostatistical techniques so that an improved stochastic geological model of the Zambujal deposit encompassing morphology and grades is presented. The model of the morphology was made in two main steps. First, a 3D solid of the boundaries was created and then a 3D grid model of the local sulfide proportion was simulated. This latter variable was modeled by using rock specific gravity as a proxy. After that, a conditional grid model of relative copper grades, i.e., recalculated metal grades assuming only the sulfide content, is also simulated in accordance with the morphology. At the end, the new tool, metal tonnage cut-off surface, is proposed, which combines copper grades within massive ores and stockwork ores. To validate the results found, the global tonnages of copper obtained by Ordinary Kriging and the proposed methodology are compared.
Highlights
Geological models and metal grade models are fundamental tools used in the mining industry [1]
The geostatistical evaluation of ore resources encompasses the main steps [1]: (i) definition of the objectives of the study and database inventory, (ii) subdivision of the volume of interest of the mineral deposit into a few regions according to contact with host rock, different ore types, etc., (iii) zoning analysis of the mining variables according to the regions, (iv) creation of a spatial model of each variable under study, (v) estimation of the values of each variable in the non-sampled locations supported by a regular grid of blocks, (vi) validation of the estimated model, ensuring the consistency of the model with the available data and the geological
The proposed methodology highlights the importance of the stockwork ores in the Zambujal deposit, and as mineral processing is more efficient in stockwork ores, metal cut-offs should take into account the proportion of sulfides relative to host rock
Summary
Geological models and metal grade models are fundamental tools used in the mining industry [1].Both models are generated and constantly updated by taking into account the geological and geochemical information, gathered during the investigations performed at different stages of a mining project. Geological models and metal grade models are fundamental tools used in the mining industry [1]. The geostatistical evaluation of ore resources encompasses the main steps [1]: (i) definition of the objectives of the study and database inventory, (ii) subdivision of the volume of interest of the mineral deposit into a few regions according to contact with host rock, different ore types, etc. (morphological model), (iii) zoning analysis of the mining variables according to the regions, (iv) creation of a spatial model of each variable under study, (v) estimation of the values of each variable in the non-sampled locations supported by a regular grid of blocks (model of metal grades), (vi) validation of the estimated model, ensuring the consistency of the model with the available data and the geological The geostatistical evaluation of ore resources encompasses the main steps [1]: (i) definition of the objectives of the study and database inventory, (ii) subdivision of the volume of interest of the mineral deposit into a few regions according to contact with host rock, different ore types, etc. (morphological model), (iii) zoning analysis of the mining variables according to the regions, (iv) creation of a spatial model of each variable under study, (v) estimation of the values of each variable in the non-sampled locations supported by a regular grid of blocks (model of metal grades), (vi) validation of the estimated model, ensuring the consistency of the model with the available data and the geological
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