GEOLOGICAL MODELING OF MINERAL-DEPOSITS FOR PREDICTION IN MINING

Accurate prediction of the shape, location, size and properties of the solid rock materials to be extracted during mining is essential for r eliable technical and financial planning. This is achieved through geo logical modelling of the three-dimensional (3D) shape and properties o f the materials present in mineral deposits, and the presentation of r esults in a form which is accessible to mine planning engineers. In re cent years the application of interactive graphics software, offering 3D database handling, modelling and visualisation, has greatly enhance d the options available for predicting the subsurface limits and chara cteristics of mineral deposits. A review of conventional 3D geological interpretation methods, and the model structures and modelling method s used in reserve estimation and mine planning software packages, illu strates the importance of such approaches in the modern mining industr y. Despite the widespread introduction and acceptance of computer hard ware and software in mining applications, in recent years, there has b een little fundamental change in the way in which geology is used in o rebody modelling for predictive purposes. Selected areas of current re search, aimed at tackling issues such as the use of orientation data, quantification of morphological differences, incorporation of geologic al age relationships, multi-resolution models and the application of v irtual reality hardware and software, are discussed.