Spatial Modeling of Geometallurgical Properties: Techniques and a Case Study
- Teck Resources Limited (Canada)
- University of Alberta, School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Canada)
- University of Alberta, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering (Canada)
High-resolution spatial numerical models of metallurgical properties constrained by geological controls and more extensively by measured grade and geomechanical properties constitute an important part of geometallurgy. Geostatistical and other numerical techniques are adapted and developed to construct these high-resolution models accounting for all available data. Important issues that must be addressed include unequal sampling of the metallurgical properties versus grade assays, measurements at different scale, and complex nonlinear averaging of many metallurgical parameters. This paper establishes techniques to address each of these issues with the required implementation details and also demonstrates geometallurgical mineral deposit characterization for a copper–molybdenum deposit in South America. High-resolution models of grades and comminution indices are constructed, checked, and are rigorously validated. The workflow demonstrated in this case study is applicable to many other deposit types.
- OSTI ID:
- 22612704
- Journal Information:
- Natural Resources Research (New York, N.Y.), Journal Name: Natural Resources Research (New York, N.Y.) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 25; ISSN 1520-7439
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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