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Article · International Journal of Mining Reclamation and Environment · June 20, 2024

Optimising the placement of additional drill holes to enhanced mineral resource classification: a case study on a porphyry copper deposit

Mohammad Maleki, Daniel Baeza, Saeed Soltani-Mohammadi, Nasser Madani, Eduardo Díaz, Francisco Anguita

Nasser Madani
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Abstract

In this study, we compared outcomes of optimising the placement of five additional drill holes using three geostatistical cost functions (AKV, WAKV, and CV) and the Particle Swarm Optimisation algorithm (PSO). WAKV identified locations with higher average copper grades compared to AKV. Conversely, CV suggested sites with high kriging variance and copper grade variation. Initial holes, alongside those determined by each cost function, were used to classify mineral resources. Findings underscored the effectiveness of optimising drill hole placement based on cost functions in reducing uncertainty and improving mineral resource classification.

Geological Modeling and AnalysisMining Techniques and EconomicsGeochemistry and Geologic Mappingmineral resource classificationporphyry copper depositscost function

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