Open AccessOptimized Method of Estimating Mineral Reserves Using the O’Hara Mathematical Model for Underground Mining in Peru
Author(s) -
V. Torres-Sanchez,
P. Olivas-Maldonado,
Guillermo Díaz-Huaina,
Carlos Raymundo-Ibañez,
Moises Perez
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/758/1/012016
Subject(s) - dilution , block (permutation group theory) , range (aeronautics) , value (mathematics) , computer science , mineralogy , environmental science , statistics , mathematics , geology , engineering , thermodynamics , physics , geometry , aerospace engineering
This research project is aimed at applying the proposed methodology to optimize the calculation of mining reserves using an empirical relationship for dilution, as proposed by O’Hara. This methodology uses three key parameters: dilution, mineral value, and total costs. In general, costs include mining costs, processing within plants, and administrative expenses related to producing a mineralized block. Similarly, to calculate the mineral value, studies on changes in mineral prices over the last 30 years were included to provide more representative values. The research was applied to mineralized block number 1000, which yielded positive results since dilution could be easily calculated using three key parameters: operating method, dip, and vein width. The dilution value of 12.25% was valid, as it was within the range of 10% to 23%. This range was considered based on other studies that apply this operating method. Then, the methodology was analyzed in three more settings, each represented by a mineralized block. The blocks assessed were 1001, 1002, and 1003, and the results indicated that the dilution found was acceptable at values of 18%, 19%, and 22%, respectively.