Ore Reserve Estimation Methods

Ore reserve
Ore reserves are those part of Resources for
which grade and tonnage have been
established with reasonable assurance by sub-
surface sampling techniques and it can be
mined profitably using current technology.
What are the ways of ore reserve estimation?

The ore reserve estimation methods can be

grouped in three ways-
• Geometric Method (Conventional Method)
• Statistical or Geostatistical Method
• Computer application or software
 What is the basic principle of ore reserve
estimation?
The basic principle of ore reserve estimation is utilizing tonnage formula.
The unit of estimation is tonne (t) and formula is –

Tonnage (t) = Volume (V) x Specific Gravity (Bulk density)

The above equation can be compared with mass volume formula where –
Mass = Volume x Density

Volume can be calculated as –

Volume (V) = Area (A) x Influence of a third dimension

Area (A) is calculated from borehole plan or sections.

 Conventional Methods of Ore Reserve
Estimation
There are many methods of computation based on
anisotropy, drilling grid pattern and stage of
exploration.

• Polygonal method
• Triangular method
• Cross section method
• Inverse Distance method
• Ordinary Kriging
• The method is based on area of influence. The area of influence
is determined by constructing polygonal blocks around each
hole that extends half the distance between two holes. The
average grade and thickness of the hole inside the polygon is
assigned to the entire polygon in order to provide a volume for
the reserve estimate. The volume is computed by multiplying
the area of polygons with thickness. Volume is multiplied with
specific gravity to get tonnage. Summation of all polygon will get
tonnage and metal content of total deposit.

• Polygonal method is used for tabular and large lenses ore

bodies.
This method is slightly advance version of polygonal
method. In this method holes are connected to
adjacent holes. This divides the ore body into a series
of triangles (T1, T2, – – – – – -, Tn). Each triangle rests
on the plane of the map and represents a base area
of an imaginary prism with edges t1, t2, t3 equal to
vertical thicknesses of intercepted mineralisation. In
this method, the triangle area between three
adjacent holes, average grade and thickness of these
holes are used to compute tonnage.
 Computation steps

• Following steps are involved in triangular

method-
• Area of triangle is calculated using geometrical
formula. Area (A) is multiplied by average
thickness intercepted in holes at three edges of
that triangle to get volume (V).
• Tonnage is computed by multiplying volume (V)
with average specific gravity of host rock. This
will give tonnage of one triangle.
 Cross Section Method
In this method ore body is interpreted on
cross-section. The ore body is divided into
different segments with the help of transverse
section lines. The section line can be spaces at
equal or unequal intervals based on grid
interval and hole locations.
Inverse Distance Method
• Inverse distance method belongs to the class
of moving average methods. It based on
repetitive calculations and therefore require
the use of computers. In this method
weightage of the hole is given according to
distance from the block in which computation
is to be made. More weightage is given to
closer hole compared to the other holes in the
region.