A Simple, Synthetic and Two Dimensional Geometallurgical Modeling Application

Abstract

Geometallurgy seeks to provide a holistic framework across the mine value chain. Although it is possible to find real world applications in the literature, in most cases the integration is just between geological modeling and metallurgy, ignoring the temporal and economic benefits given by the mining perspective. Moreover, the relevant attributes are widely estimated by kriging methods, leading to an inaccurate prediction of their associated uncertainties. This work presents the benefits of (1) integrating the mine planning into the classic geometallurgical paradigm, (2) moving from the determinism of estimations to the stochasticity of simulations, and (3) the benefits of seeing each unit operation and process as a transfer function, so the propagated uncertainties are more accurately represented. To do that, a two dimensional synthetic case study is built accounting for one economical element of interest (Copper), one impurity (Clay) and one metallurgical property (Hardness). At the end, several ideas for improving this geo-mine-metallurgical framework are listed and discussed.