Abstract
In facing the problem of the exploitation of heterogeneous mineral resources (ore or oil), the question of defining continuous zones exhibiting similar characteristics may arise. A method to approach this question using factorial and geostatistical techniques was developed. It contains three main steps:
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(1)
Taking as an input the data matrix (samples x variables), a factorial technique (principal components analysis or correspondence analysis) is applied, giving rise to groups of samples of similar characteristics.
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(2)
The problem of contiguity within samples of the same group and the number of groups to be retained is solved by expert advice of the geological/exploitation team, based on graphical representation of zones.
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(3)
Once decided which samples belong to each final group, the boundaries from zone to zone are estimated, using a transitive kriging technique, relying on the geometric variogram.
Two case studies are presented to illustrate the method: The first one discusses a polymetallic sulfide orebody located in the South of Portugal, which is to be split into zones feeding different mineralprocessing units. In the second, a Middle East petroleum reservoir is divided into homogeneous zones in order to improve the secondary oilrecovery planning.
The method presented here, combining factorial analysis and geostatistics, is a useful tool for the purpose of delineating zones in heterogeneous deposits of mineral resources. It provides estimates of boundaries between zones based on their geometric structure and gives a reliable basis for further exploitation planning.
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References
Greenacre, M., 1984, Theory and applications of correspondence analysis: Academic Press, London, 364 p.
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Soares, A., 1990, Geostatistical estimation of orebody geometry: morphological kriging: submitted to Jour. Math. Geology.
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© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Pereira, H.G., Soares, A. (1992). Zoneography of Mineral Resources. In: Kürzl, H., Merriam, D.F. (eds) Use of Microcomputers in Geology. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2335-6_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2335-6_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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