Geological Model Boundary Adjustment for Ore Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mining methods face inefficiencies due to inaccuracies in modeling geological domains, leading to valuable ore deposits being missed or unnecessary waste being mined, primarily because of sparse and low-resolution data from exploration and blast hole drilling.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the surface of exploratory data models using blast hole data by labeling samples, determining boundary samples, comparing and adjusting the surface, and using techniques like Support Vector Machines and Minimum Covariance Discriminant to improve the accuracy of geological domain models for more efficient ore extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If geological models are based on exploration hole information with sparse horizontal sampling, then the model can be established with limited data, but the boundary accuracy and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the geological domain into multiple sub-domains based on blast hole data, allowing for more precise boundary definition in different regions. This segmentation enables the model to capture local variations in ore body boundaries that would be missed in a uniform sparse sampling approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from primarily vertical (Z-axis) sampling in exploration holes to incorporating horizontal (X-Y plane) sampling through blast holes. This dimensional addition provides crucial horizontal resolution to define ore body boundaries accurately, transforming the model from a vertically-resolved to a three-dimensionally-resolved system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If geological models are updated using only infill drilling data, then the existing model structure is maintained, but the model fails to capture production-scale boundary inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic model updating by incorporating blast hole data from production drilling campaigns. The model structure adapts to new information by creating sub-domains that reflect actual production boundary conditions, allowing the model to evolve from a static exploration-based structure to a dynamic production-validated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data parameters used for model construction by incorporating blast hole assay data with different sampling characteristics (horizontal spacing, depth intervals) compared to traditional exploration hole data. This parameter change enables the model to capture production-scale boundary precision while maintaining geological plausibility.
3Productivity
If mining operations use imprecise geological boundary models, then mining can proceed with existing data, but valuable ore is lost and waste is mined unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where blast hole data from production drilling is continuously fed back into the geological model to update and refine boundary definitions. This feedback loop allows the model to improve its accuracy over time, enabling more precise ore body delineation and reducing both ore loss and unnecessary waste mining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary model adjustment using blast hole data before final mining decisions are made. By pre-updating the geological model with production-scale boundary information, the system prepares optimized mining guides that prevent ore loss and reduce waste removal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A mining guidance system for assisting in mining a geological domain of interest. The system includes a plurality of blast hole drilling rigs for producing blast hole samples; at least one analysis assembly including positional data and assay data; a network data storage device in data communication with the at least one analysis assembly via a data network and storing an exploratory model of the geological domain of interest; a computer server programmed with a model adjustment software product to produce an adjusted domain model; and a number of blast hole drilling rigs each including a steering assist assembly in data communication with the network data storage device to steer relative to the geological domain with reference to the adjusted domain model for accurate mining of the geological domain.