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Ore variability impacts on plant performance and therefore has direct financial implications. Geometallurgy significantly reduces the impact of spatial uncertainty in mine planning because it documents the variability in a deposit. The geometallurgical approach uses a six stage “Geometallurgical Framework” to group activities. These stages are:
- Stage 1 – Multivariate Spatial Domain Definition
- Stage 2 – Sample Selection
- Stage 3 – Parameter Determination (Testing)
- Stage 4 – Multivariate Model Definition
- Stage 5 – Multivariate Spatial Model Generation using the Block Model or Mine Plan
- Stage 6 – Joint Mining and Mineral Processing Optimization
In Stage 1, regions (domains) of like characteristics are defined. Then, in Stage 2, a number of test samples are chosen, based on geological data. The metallurgical parameters or data are collected in Stage 3. These parameters are then distributed through an orebody using accepted geostatistical techniques in Stage 4. The geometallurgically-enabled mathematical models are used to generate economic parameters such as throughput, grind size, grade and recovery. The data can then be modeled with respect to cash flow and future mining strategies in Stages 5 and 6.
A geometallurgical approach lowers project risk by enabling:
- Rigorous documentation of geological and mineralogical factors that impact on metallurgical performance and grindability
- Plant design that recognizes the inherent variability of the deposit
- Forecasting of production parameters such as plant throughput, grade, recovery, P80 and concentrate grade on a quarterly or yearly basis, with a statistical confidence interval
- Optimization of plant performance with respect to ore variability
- Effective mining of the ore over the entire mine life
- Optimized mine resource and plant performance
- Maximize the Net Present Value whilst minimizing risk.
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