Statistical and Geostatistical methods

Ore reserve estimation is not mere

calculation but a procedure which involves,
explicitly or implicitly, judgment and
assumption about geological, operational
and investigational factors.
Statistical and Geostatistical methods

Statistical
Methods Do not consider the physical position of
the samples with respect to each other
Based on the assumption that all sample
values are equally representative of the
properties of the deposit under study.
The physical position of each sample is
taken into account
Uses KRIGGING to test reasonableness
of estimates obtained
Statistical and geostatistical methods

VISUAL Plotting the histogram of the samples

STATISTICAL (Fig.1)
ANALYSIS Frequency of distribution (Table 2)
Cumulative frequency distribution
(Table 3:2 geologic envi), plotted in a
probability scale (fig.3) such that if samples
are normally distributed, a straight line will
be graphed.
Statistical and Geostatistical methods

VISUAL
Scatter diagram. Can only be plotted if at
STATISTICAL
least two values are available for each
ANALYSIS
samples (fig.4 & fig.5)
Can determine anomalous values as well
as mixture of geologic populations
Statistical and geostatistical methods

VISUAL
The use of visual statistics is extremely

STATISTICAL instructive
ANALYSIS
The spatial distribution of the samples
must be kept in mind

Sample block must be of constant size,
take into consideration of support size,
which means if support size increases, the
values get closer to each other, and
therefore closer to the mean of the ore
body. (Fig 6 & Fig. 7)

All statistical analyses require that the values
analyzed correspond to samples or composites of
constant size.

When support size increases, the values get closer
to one another, approaching the mean of the ore body
Statistical and geostatistical methods

VISUAL
This methods can be applied to

STATISTICAL
normally distributed sample values. This
ANALYSIS
feature is applicable to iron, coal, potash,
phosphate, and industrial minerals. Seam
or vein thickness can also be considered
NORMAL DISTRIBUTION
(INCLUDE FORMULA, P. 307)

Correlation and regression analysis.
(Fig. 14)

AVERAGE FORMULA. This depends on
number of samples, variability of sample
values, and character of samples.
xy = 1/(n-1) [(x1-X)(y1-Y)] +
..(x n-X)(yn-Y)]
A value of one suggest high
correlation
Outlier suggest error
in sampling
 Statistical and geostatistical methods

THE Once a geologic understanding of the

SEMIVARIOGRAM deposit has been obtained and preliminary
non spatial statistics have been completed,
more complex statistical methods, that take
into account the relative position of the
sample values, must be used.
oThe smaller the distance apart the greater
the correlation
othe difference between distance values
suggest quantitative correlation, the smaller
the difference the more similar the values
oFormula for Variogram - one dimensional
oTwo dimensional (Fig.16)
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Statistical and geostatistical methods
1) Sill- shows the highest level of variability
measured by the semivariogram. Some
Semivariogram
semi variogram do not have a sill.
models
2)Range is the distance at which the
semivariogram plateaus or reaches the sill
value and represent a measure of the
maximum distance of influence of a drill
hole in the direction concerned
3) Nugget effect is the value of the
semivariogram at zero distance. It
represents the sample variability at small
distance caused by small-scale geologic
controls. It also gives an important
indication of the presence of magnitude of
sampling and assaying errors.
 Statistical and geostatistical methods

PRACTICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
oGeological homogeneity calculation of
semivariograms across geologic boundaries
will give meaningless results. (fig 25)

oSemivariogram should start with a

thorough review of all geological
information concerning the deposit
oDifferent sampling method should be
treated separately in computation of
semivariogram (Fig 32)
 Statistical and geostatistical methods

SEMIVARIOGRAM 1. The direction of best continuity in the

MAY SUPPLY mineralization.
INFORMATION 2. The orientation and size of high-grade pods.
ABOUT: 3. The average spacing between ore zones and
periodicities in the mineralization
4. The strike and dip of fracture zones and the
plunge of the mineralization within these
zones
5. The distance of influence of a sample or the
distance beyond which the similarity between
values is negligible
6. The precision with which the mineralization is
known at the point where it is sampled
Statistical and geostatistical methods

KRIGGING o Extensive use of the semivariogram

Procedure (Fig. 49)
The only method that uses to its full
potential the statistical and geologic
properties of the deposit as
represented by the semivariogram (
Fig. 50)
Statistical and geostatistical methods

KRIGGING
Krigging Formula
I deposit is mined selectively, the
optimal method of evaluation of
individual blocks is by krigging.