Optimal grade control sampling practice in open-pit mining – a full-scale blast hole versus reverse circulation variographic experiment

Engström, Karin; Esbensen, Kim H.

doi:10.1080/03717453.2017.1414104

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…As Engström et al [9] indicate, with so many mineral commodities and mining methods in use globally, there is no universal best practice for open pit drill sampling, and each case must be evaluated individually.…”

Section: Methodology and Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Grade Control Method without Sampling Preparation Based on Spectrometric Techniques and the Use of Electronic Detonators in an Open Pit Tungsten Deposit

2023

Archives of Mining Sciences

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A GrAde Control Method without SAMplinG prepArAtion BASed on SpeCtroMetriC teChniqueS And the uSe of eleCtroniC detonAtorSin An open pit tunGSten depoSit grade control is crucial for ensuring that the quality of extracted ore aligns with the geological model and mining plan. this process optimises production, reduces dilution, and maximises profits. It involves geological modelling, sampling, assaying, and data analysis. However, adhering to short-term planning in mining operations can be challenging due to operational bottlenecks that arise during the grade control process and blast design, along with their associated costs. Industry standards for grade control require acquiring extensive information and knowledge to achieve a high level of certainty, which takes time. despite that, time constraints may necessitate making decisions under risk with incomplete information. In such cases, it is important to consider the opportunities, risks, likelihood, consequences, and potential success associated with each alternative. this study presents the testing results of alternative quantitative analytical methods on samples from the barruecopardo tungsten deposit in Spain. Spectrometric techniques, including delayed gamma neutron Activation Analysis (dgnAA), laser-induced breakdown Spectroscopy (lIbS), and Field Portable X-ray Fluorescence (FPXRF), were employed to determine the tungsten content. based on the findings of this investigation, a real-time decision-making tool for grade control in open-pit mining has been developed. this tool utilises representative samples directly from the blasting debris, considering the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with the process.

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Section: Methodology and Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Grade Control Method without Sampling Preparation Based on Spectrometric Techniques and the Use of Electronic Detonators in an Open Pit Tungsten Deposit

2023

Archives of Mining Sciences

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Sample Truncation Strategies for Outlier Removal in Geochemical Data: The MCD Robust Distance Approach Versus t-SNE Ensemble Clustering

2019

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Applying Knowledge-Based and Data-Driven Methods to Improve Ore Grade Control of Blast Hole Drill Cuttings Using Hyperspectral Imaging

Akbar,

Abdolmaleki,

Ghadernejad

et al. 2024

Remote Sensing

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This study introduces a novel method utilizing hyperspectral imaging for instantaneous ore-waste analysis of drill cuttings. To implement this technique, we collected samples of drill cuttings at regular depth intervals from five blast holes in an open pit gold mine and subjected them to scanning using a hyperspectral imaging system. Subsequently, we employed two distinct methods for processing the hyperspectral images. A knowledge-based method was used to estimate ore grade within each sampled interval, and a data-driven technique was employed to distinguish the ore and waste for each sample interval. Firstly, leveraging the mixed mineralogical composition of the samples, the Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) technique was utilized to predict ore grade for each sample. Additionally, the Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC) was used as an efficient data-driven approach to classify ore-waste samples. Both methods rendered accurate results when they were compared with results obtained through laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and gold assay analysis for the same sample intervals. Adopting the proposed methodology in open pit mine operations can significantly enhance the process of grade control during blast hole drilling. This includes reducing costs, saving time, minimizing uncertainty in ore grade estimation, and establishing more precise ore-waste boundaries in resource block models.

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Optimal grade control sampling practice in open-pit mining – a full-scale blast hole versus reverse circulation variographic experiment

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

A Grade Control Method without Sampling Preparation Based on Spectrometric Techniques and the Use of Electronic Detonators in an Open Pit Tungsten Deposit

A Grade Control Method without Sampling Preparation Based on Spectrometric Techniques and the Use of Electronic Detonators in an Open Pit Tungsten Deposit

Sample Truncation Strategies for Outlier Removal in Geochemical Data: The MCD Robust Distance Approach Versus t-SNE Ensemble Clustering

Applying Knowledge-Based and Data-Driven Methods to Improve Ore Grade Control of Blast Hole Drill Cuttings Using Hyperspectral Imaging

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