CSA Global Principal Resource Geologist, Maria O’Connor presented on “Integrated Geoscience – The benefits of working in haloes not silos” at The Geological Society-Mineral Resource Estimation Conference in late 2018.
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Abstract: Integrated Geoscience – The benefits of working in haloes not silos
Getting as much information as you can from all the data that gets collected on a deposit should be central to any operator’s objectives. Too often, the silo approach, traditional in mining – where each discipline acts independently of each other, leads to sub optimal solutions, inefficiency, lost revenue and high opportunity costs.
This presentation discusses recent work completed by the author which uses an integrated geoscience approach to estimate Acid Forming Potential of material into the Mineral Resource block model for a mineral deposit using geological and geochemical characterisation, providing valuable inputs to subsequent scheduling and mine planning to mitigate risk and realise opportunity.
Most deposits have a legacy of different geologists logging drill core. In fact, it is not uncommon for the most inexperienced geologists to end up with this responsibility in the core yard. For this reason, as any project evolves, and as the geological interpretation is developed and knowledge increases, re-logging programs are common, incorporating consistency improvements (use of rock boards, examples of key geological attributes etc.) and a focus on what is the key information to collect. The value that can be achieved from such data is not limited to the development of the geological model or the grade estimate. It can underpin future work in diverse areas such as metallurgy, scheduling and categorisation of material for environmental purposes.
A recent case study used re-logged geology from diamond core and RC chips together with analytical geochemical testwork for waste characterisation. The author, alongside the Company geologist involved in re-logging, derived a relationship between logged geology and acid forming potential and acid neutralising capacity. This relationship was used to inform an estimate of the acid forming potential of the entire open pit deposit, for use in mine scheduling by the mine planning engineers. It is considered a good and successful example of how reliably logged geology can inform downstream processes that may not have been predictable at the outset, and how disciplines across the mining cycle can communicate better to improve outcomes.
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER
Maria O’Connor
Principal Resource Geologist
Maria is an experienced resource geologist with a strong competency in geostatistics and a skill set put to good effect in resource estimation and evaluation, feasibility studies, project evaluations, resources auditing, due diligence studies, exploration geology, grade control, technical reporting and provision of training. With an emphasis on collaboration, understanding of our client’s needs and objectives and a track record in providing pragmatic and innovative solutions, Maria’s skills are focused on adding value to our client’s projects. She has over 10 years international experience working across Africa, Europe, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Geological Society-Mineral Resource Estimation Conference
