Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of median indicator kriging in the analysis of an iron mineralization

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents an application of median indicator kriging in the analysis of iron mineralisation data from the Chadormalu iron mine in Yazd province, Iran. The sample data used in this study consist of exploration drilling data, suitably composited. The data set is sparse, irregularly spaced, and has a bimodal distribution. It is important to use an estimation method that deals with the nature of the distribution appropriately. Since none of the grade distributions are normal or log-normal, a non-linear estimator is ideal. The indicator kriging method is considered to provide a better way of estimating an element with a bimodal distribution. Indicator semivariograms were modelled for nine cut offs, the deciles. Semivariograms were standardised by dividing each semivariogram by the total sill, and a single spherical structure plus nugget was fitted in each case. All data were treated as point data in three-dimensional space rather than block data. The grade tonnage curves were calculated on the assumption that each estimate is representative of a block of size 20 m by 20 m by 12.5 m centred on the location of the datum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Carr J, Glass CE (1985) Treatment of earthquake ground motion using regionalized variables. Math Geol 17(3):221–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christakos G, Hristopulos DT (1998) Stochastic indicator analysis of contaminated sites. J Appl Probab 34(4):988–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daliran F (1999) REE geochemistry of Kiruna-type iron ores. In: Stanley CJ, Rankin AH, Bondar RJ (eds) Mineral Deposits, Processes to Processing, vol 1. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 631–634

    Google Scholar 

  • Daliran F (2002) Kiruna-type iron oxide–apatite ores and apatites of the Bafq district, Iran, with an emphasis on the REE geochemistry of their apatites. In: Porter TM (ed) Hydrothermal Iron Oxide-Copper– Gold and Related Deposits: A Global prospective, vol I. PGC Publishing, Adelaide, pp 303–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Data-Gupta, A., Xue, G., and Lee, S. H., 1999, Nonparametric transformations for data correlation and integration, theory and practice, in Schatzinger, R. A., and Jordan, J. F., eds., Reservoir characterization recent advances, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Memoir 71, Tulsa, OK, p. 381–396

  • Dimitrakopoulos R, Dagbert M (1993) Sequential modeling of relative indicator variables: Dealing with multiple lithology types. In: Soares A (ed) Geostatistics Tr’oia ’92. Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp 413–424

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Forster H, Jafarzadeh A (1994) The Bafq mining district in central Iran – a highly mineralized Infracambrian volcanic field. Econ Geol 89:1697–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fytas K, Chaouai N-E, Lavigne M (1990) Gold deposits estimation using indicator kriging. CIM Bull 80:77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Goovaerts P (1997) Geostatistics for natural resources evaluation. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Goovaerts P, Webster R, Dubois JP (1997) Assessing the risk of soil contamination in the Swiss Jura using indicator geostatistics. Environ Ecol Stat 4:31–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hohn, E. M., and McDowell, R. R., 1994, Geostatistical analysis of oil production and potential using indicator kriging, inYarus, J. M., and Chambers, R. L., eds., Stochastic modeling and geostatistics, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, Computer Applications in Geology, No. 3, Tulsa, OK

  • Isaaks EH, Srivastava RM (1989) Applied geostatistics. Oxford University Press, New York, p 561

    Google Scholar 

  • Jafarzadeh, A., 1981, Die Magnetiterzlagerstätte Chador-Malu in Zentraliran und ihre exploration, Diss. RWTH Aachen, 152 p

  • Journel AG (1983) Nonparametric estimation of spatial distributions. Math Geol 15(3):445–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Journel AG, Deutsch CV (1998) GSLIB Geostatistical software library and users guide, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemmer IC (1984) Estimating local recoverable reserves via indicator kriging. In: Verly G, David M, Journel AG, Marechal A (eds) Geostatistics for natural resources characterization, Part 1. Reidel, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp 365–384

    Google Scholar 

  • Samani BA (1988) Metallogeny of the Precambrian in Iran. Precambrian Res 39:85–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samani BA (1998) Precambrian metallogenic deposits in central Iran. AEOI Sci Bull 17:1–16 (in Farsi with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Soares A (1992) Geostatistical estimation of multiphase structures: Math. Math Geol 24(2):149–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solow AR (1986) Mapping by simple indicator kriging: Math. Math Geol 18(3):335–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

    Ali Akbar Daya

Authors
  1. Ali Akbar Daya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Akbar Daya.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Daya, A.A. Application of median indicator kriging in the analysis of an iron mineralization. Arab J Geosci 8, 367–377 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1093-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1093-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation