Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Open Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Geology (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
Advisor 1
Snehamoy Chatterjee
Committee Member 1
Nathan Manser
Committee Member 2
Greg Waite
Abstract
Spatial variability and uncertainty of continuous variables (grade) and categorical variables (rock-types) in mineral evaluation significantly impact the economics of mining projects. The conventional approach of simulating grades using deterministic rock- types is problematic since spatial variability, and uncertainty of grades at rock-type contacts are not well captured in deposits where the grade changes gradually between rock-types. Therefore, jointly simulating these variables can improve confidence (reduce uncertainty) in a resource model. Also, resource classification and recoverable reserve calculation can significantly improve the understanding of the deposit and its economic viability. This research utilized the Plural-Gaussian geostatistical simulation to jointly simulate rock-types and grade. A joint coregionalized model of random fields via fitting theoretical variograms is achieved. Equiprobable realizations of rock-types and grades are generated through a co-simulation of these variables. Resource classification of simulations and ultimate pit limit calculations are produced and validated using a real gold deposit in Alaska.
Recommended Citation
Hlajoane, Sentle Augustinus, "JOINT SIMULATION OF CONTINUOUS AND CATEGORICAL VARIABLES FOR MINERAL RESOURCE MODELING AND RECOVERABLE RESERVES CALCULATION", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2020.
