Ore Deposit Evaluation and Underground Mine Planning

Many ore deposit characterizations still utilize the traditional block (3D grid) modeling computer approach discussed in Chapter 1. For deposits with little or no geological control, such as disseminated porphyry deposits, the approximations involved are probably acceptable. For deposits with any degree of geological complexity, the approach is generally inadequate, for the reasons discussed earlier. The deposit considered here includes both structural and mineralogical complexity, and its characterization requires a high degree of geological control. This emphasizes the advantages of integrating the vector-based volume modeling approach for geology with the raster-based grid modeling representation of ore grades.