Intelligent ore delineation: Integrating geosensing and geographical information systems

Intelligent ore delineation refers to the ability reliably to characterize the geological selling of a mineralized body and its grade distribution. Th is necessitates using ail available geological information in a timely and efficient manner, such that effective geological control is achieved. The i mportance of geological control is paramount to improving the efficiency an d competitiveness of underground mines. As a result the development of new geosensing tools designed to provide more reliable and timely information s hould be a priority. However, as the sensing tools advance then so, too, mu st the decision support system in order to allow the full benefits of these tools to be achieved. One potential system considered able to provide this architecture is 'true 3D-GIS' (Geographical Information System). GIS promi ses to provide a seamless data flow and to connect information currently un available to the underground mine operations by bringing together previousl y disparate and spatial data sets in a visually effective and timely way. T his paper considers the potential revolution GIS offers over the flow and u se of data in mining by focusing on the integration of geosensing data and GIS to facilitate intelligent ore delineation.