Abstract
In a mining operation, the structural model is considered as a first-order data required for planning. During the start-up and in-depth expansion of an operation, whether the case is open-pit or underground, the structural model must be systematically updated because most common failure mechanisms of a rock mass are generally controlled by geological discontinuities. This update represents one of the main responsibilities for structural geologists and mine engineers. For that purpose, our study presents a geochemically-developed tool based on the tridimensional (3-D) distribution of arsenic concentrations, which have been quantified with a very high-density of blast-holes sampling points throughout an open pit operation. Our results show that the arsenic spatial distribution clearly denotes alignments that match with faults that were previously recognized by classical direct mapping techniques. Consequently, the 3-D arsenic distribution can be used to endorse the existence and even more the real persistence of structures as well as the cross-cutting relationships between faults. In conclusion, by linking the arsenic fault-pathfinder tool to direct on field fault mapping, it is possible to improve structural models at mine scale, focusing on geotechnical design and management, with a direct impact in the generation of safety mining activities.
Highlights
IntroductionThe precise determinations of relevant fault geometries oriented to geotechnical design are a major concern for structural geologists and geotechnical engineers [1,2,3,4,5]
In mining operations, the precise determinations of relevant fault geometries oriented to geotechnical design are a major concern for structural geologists and geotechnical engineers [1,2,3,4,5].The principal uncertainties in structural and geomechanical models are mainly controlled by both limited data collection resolution [6] as well as the spatial distribution of data
This paper describes how the tridimensional distribution of arsenic concentration can be used as a geochemical vector for elucidating structural attributes in a structural model, which frequently cannot be established using standard methods of structural characterization and mapping
Summary
The precise determinations of relevant fault geometries oriented to geotechnical design are a major concern for structural geologists and geotechnical engineers [1,2,3,4,5]. It is due to the concerns in metallurgical processing, including, among others: (i) an increase in the production costs; (ii) a decrease of the product purity, which affects the price and commercialization of the final product; and (iii) a possible generation of acid mine drainage, as well as high-contaminant passive and active wastes [13] This scenario implies that a huge amount of samples from drill-holes and blast-holes must be systematically analyzed to quantify the arsenic concentration, and the sampling points must have a high-density tridimensional distribution, being it at least an order of magnitude greater than any other spacing used for collecting structural data. The Los Bronces Mine is been developed at the “Los Bronces-Rio Blanco” porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, part of the most highly exploitable copper endowment in the Earth’s crust [14,15]
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