Short Course: Geostatistical Evaluation of Mineral Resources and Their Uncertainty Under The New Regulatory Environment

Content and Objectives

This course aims to show how state-of-the-art statistical and geostatistical techniques help answer the requirements of the latest regulations on Mineral Resources public reporting in an objective and reproducible manner. A particular emphasis is placed on understanding the various sources of uncertainty and error through the mineral resources estimation process and how to characterize the geological confidence through the application of quantitative and qualitive criteria for mineral resources classification. Within the broader context of the engineering modelling discipline, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the industry best practices for mineral resources modelling.

Who Should Attend? 

Exploration, mine and resource geologists, mining engineers, and anyone acting in the role of “qualified” or “competent person”.

What Will Attendees Learn?

  • How to conceive of and produce mineral resource models that address the short- and long-term needs of mining companies
  • How to extract geological insights from the statistical analysis of data
  • The sources of error and uncertainty at different stages in the mineral resources modelling process
  • The advantages and limitations of different estimation and simulation methods
  • How to incorporate the knowledge of geological controls of mineralization in the mineral resources workflow
  • How to validate and reconcile mineral resources estimates
  • How to communicate mineral resources estimates and their confidence in compliance with the standards of NI43-101, SEC Mining Disclosure Rules and JORC
  • The various uses of conditional simulations, such as quantification of the uncertainty in mineral resources and value of information studies, strategic mine planning and project evaluation
  • How to integrate orebody simulations into mining planning

Requirements: It is strongly recommended that participants bring a laptop. No previous exposure to statistics and geostatistics is required.

The Practice of Mineral Resources Estimation Within the Context of the New Regulatory Environment

  • Resource models and the mining business cycle
  • Meeting the definition of mineral resources and mineral reserves
  • International standards for public reporting
  • The place of geological uncertainty in mineral resources reporting

Mineral Resources Modelling Within the Context of Scientific and Engineering Modelling

  • Scientific and engineering modelling as a discipline
  • Computer models and simulation

The Data and Information Bases

  • Elements of sampling theory
  • Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Resource Model Design and Fundamentals

  • Stationarity, heterogeneity, spatial dependence
  • The random field paradigm
  • Support and information effects
  • Short vs. long term models
  • Designing an effective resource modelling process
  • Incorporating geological controls of mineralization 
  • The geological setting
  • Geological interpretation and modelling
  • Coordinate transformations
  • Resource domains and trends

Data Analysis for Resource Modelling

  • Representative statistics in a geological context
  • Univariate and multivariate statistical characterization
  • Comparative statistics for different domains and data types
  • Identification and treatment of outliers

Modelling the Spatial Continuity

  • Measures of spatial continuity in a geological context
  • Interpretation and modelling of variograms
  • Spatial continuity and change of support

Estimation

  • Estimation is more than interpolation
  • From point to block estimation
  • Modern estimation methods
  • Multivariate estimation
  • Conditional bias and design of the estimation plan
  • Validation of estimated models

Simulation

  • From estimation to simulation
  • Simulation methods for categorical and continuous variables
  • Multivariate simulations
  • Validation of simulated models
  • Post-processing and application of simulated models
  • Quantitative geological uncertainty assessment
  • Introduction to Value of Information studies

Mineral Resources Classification and Reporting

  • Definitions
  • Integrating quantitative and qualitative classification criteria
  • The role of geological uncertainty in classification 
  • Best practices and applications of technical and economic constraints

Use of Simulations in Mine Planning

  • Integrating geological uncertainty to production planning and risk quantification
  • Less risk and higher value
  • Geological risk in mineral value chain optimization

Special Topics

  • Reconciliation
  • Modelling of geotechnical and geometallurgical variables

McGill University 
Department of Mining and Materials Engineering
3450 University Street
Frank Dawson Adams Building, Room 105
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0E8 

See location on map

Find the registration form online here and forward the completed registration form to professionaldevelopment@cim.org

Deadline: September 16, 2024 (Limited Registrations Available)

Inclusions: Course notes, lunch, and morning and afternoon tea.

Instructors

 


SRK Instructor