Fracture density can be used as the basic parameter' to analyze the spatial distribution of fractures in rock. In shear zones, fracture density can be defined as a function of the number, the length and the width of discontinuities.Fracture density values were obtained from fracture parameters measured on mine drift walls at three levels in each one of two mines of the Chibougamau area: Henderson and Copper Rand.Frequency distributions of density show a strong positive skewness. Classical geostatistical procedures applied to the raw fracture density show inconsistencies in the variograms due to extreme values representing specific types of discontinuities (e.g. shear, tension vein). An indicator approach applied to field data shows a close relationship between variogram range and deformation intensity. Indicator kriging maps suggest spatial relations between fracture sets and are used to quantify and verify geomechanical models.
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