Improvement of Mineral Processing Methods in Mining Structurally-Complex Deposits

Abstract

The article assesses available methods of managing mineral grades in mining and possible ways to improve the mining efficiency. Assessment criteria for the ore masses are given depending on mineral and chemical composition, structural and other features. The outcomes are presented of developing a methodology of zoning technological types of ores within an open pit with account of complex evaluation of qualitative characteristics of minerals using modern geoinformation technologies. Two main methods, i.e. express and detailed, are proposed for data interpretation in geoinformation systems, which require preliminary creation of a geological database and allow to make reliable assessment and zoning of ores within an open pit based on qualitative indicators. The methods are different in terms of labour intensity, level of detail and the possibility of adjusting the resulting models depending on established or changed requirements towards the mineral grade. An enhanced mining and geological information system allows zoning of technological types and grades of ores within an open-pit with a high degree of reliability, which contributes to the selection of the most effective ore treatment method as part of the ore grade management for specific mining and geological conditions at the planning stage of mining operations. Examples of zoning technological types of ores within an open pit as well as methodological approaches to selecting effective methods of ore grade management are presented for deteriorating mining and geological conditions of deposits and increasing requirements towards the quality of products.