Geological and geostatistical elements of ore-grade control at the Candelaria Mine, Mineral County, Nevada
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Authors
Moss, Kenneth L.
Issue Date
1987
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Candelaria mine , Ore-grade Control , Blasthole Assay , Geological Elements , Geostatistical Elements , Mackay Theses and Dissertations Grant Collection
Alternative Title
Abstract
At the Candelaria mine, ore-grade control integrates blasthole assay data with geological information to optimize the selection of ore for selective mining. The deposit when subdivided into geologically controlled domains allows valid geostatistical evaluation of blasthole data. Detailed geological muckpile mapping is then used to interpret individual grade estimates. Check assays of blasthole samples showed a correlation coefficient of 0.98 while a comparison of blasthole assays to carefully sampled cuttings resulted in a correlation coefficient of 0.82. The mean of the check samples was 1.45 oz/ton and the mean of the carefully sampled cuttings was 2.43 oz/ton. A polygonal method of grade control when compared to one using geological and geostatistical grade estimates as well as the blasthole information designated 37% to 107% more rock as ore depending upon the geological complexity. This was verified by an exercise involving mine personnel. Comparison trials using grab samples confirmed that grade estimation was improved using kriged estimates over- blasthole data alone. This method of grade of grade control has lowered the operational costs of the mine.
Description
Thesis Number: 2183.
Online access for this thesis was created in part with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). To obtain a high quality image or document please contact the DeLaMare Library at https://unr.libanswers.com/ or call: 775-784-6945.
Online access for this thesis was created in part with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). To obtain a high quality image or document please contact the DeLaMare Library at https://unr.libanswers.com/ or call: 775-784-6945.
Citation
Publisher
University of Nevada, Reno
License
In Copyright(All Rights Reserved)