Spatial variability of Cr2O3% in the Kizilyuksek-Yataardic chromite deposit, Adana, Turkey

Knowledge of the spatial variability of grade is important for commercial e valuation of mineral deposits. The low-grade, Kizilyuksek-Yataardic chromit e deposit in Karsanti, Adana is one of the greatest reserves in western Ana tolia, Turkey and offers great potential. However this deposit lacks geolog ic information needed to provide a better understanding of the spatial vari ability of Cr2O3%. In this paper, geostatistical tools are used to improve the understanding of the vertical variability of Cr2O3%. The vertical varia bility is characterized by an average down-hole variogram from core measure ments. The variogram exhibits nested structures at 10, 50, and 100 m. Becau se geologic information is not adequate to explain the source of these feat ures, geostatistical simulation of Cr2O3% with depth is used. The results i ndicate that the chromite mineralization is characterized by zonal structur e, with average size of the zones being 50 m, and average distance between them being 100 m. A study of the most variable holes also shows that these holes have the greatest effect on the average down-hole variogram.