Application of EDA to Domaining and Use of the Variogram for DHSA Isatis Seminar Brisbane - 28th August 2006 Presenter: J. G. Davies Senior Resource Evaluation Geologist BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Coal Pty Ltd Aims of the Study • Demonstrate the value of geostatistics to BMA as an input to mine planning and operations. • Integrate geostatistics into the resource modelling procedures through improved domaining and use of variography. • Effect integration of processes through the use of Isatis. Why South Walker Creek? • South Walker Pit: problematic quality parameters – in particular Phosphorous. • Phosphorous shown to have both lateral and vertical variability. • Misallocation of mined coal as a result of unclear understanding of the phosphorous variability. • In-pit sampling data used to control coal stockpiles. Location and Geological Setting • South Walker is located ~ 25km west of Nebo and 140km from Hay Point. • Resources located on the eastern limb of Northern Bowen Basin. • Deposit situated on the Western Margin of the Nebo Synclinorium, characterised by large and small scale folding with thrust and normal faulting throughout. • South Walker is relatively free of compressional features. Cross Section Through Mulgrave Pit Phosphorus within South Walker Creek • • • • • Affects mine development strategy. Selective mining of various splits required to manage phosphorous levels to meet market specifications. Phosphorous is highly variable both laterally and vertically. Require adequate modelling of these ‘plies’ to allow selective mining. High and low phosphorous can then be stockpiled with subsequent increased ability to meet specifications for product coal. EDA: reminder 7 EDA MB2 Seam THICKNESS 10 7596500 Y (m) 7596000 7595500 7595000 7594500 7594000 9 8 7 6 643000 644000 645000 646000 647000 648000 X (m) 5 643000 644000 645000 646000 647000 648000 XG Isatis • Use of linked windows to investigate the spatial distribution of variables 8 EDA 9 EDA 0.25 0.25 EAST 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 WEST 0.20 Frequencies Frequencies 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 5 6 7 MB2 Seam THICKNESS 0.00 7 8 9 10 MB2 Seam THICKNESS Isatis 10 EDA • Evaluation of variables is quite rapid. • Visual analysis of the spatial distribution. • Creation of selections is instantaneous. • Impact on geostatistical characteristics can be assessed immediately. 11 EDA Distance (m) Distance (m) 500 1000 13 0.50 36 1500 N205 25 40 19 111 88 71 64 N125 112 46 99 0.25 65 0 2000 EAST 5 Variogram : MB2 Seam THICKNESS Variogram : MB2 Seam THICKNESS 0 500 1000 1500 405 N205 81 400 314 N125 0.50 451 443 129 181 219 420 458 0.25 153 341 202 WEST 12 17 3 0.00 0 500 1000 Distance (m) 1500 2000 0.00 0 500 1000 1500 Distance (m) Isatis 12 EDA • • • • Use of EDA to produce preliminary domains. Incorporation of geological knowledge to improve definition. Validation of domaining through investigation of sliced statistical profiles. Feedback process. 13 South Walker Creek - EDA Analysis South Walker Creek - EDA Analysis Slice Statistics West – Phos ~0.037% ‘Transition’ zone 0.088% 0.079% East – Phos ~0.057% SWC Domains Effect of Domaining on Variography • Impact of domaining is marked. • East/West distinction produces better structured, lower silled variograms. South Walker Creek, Mulgrave Pit – Domain Conclusions Summary of Domaining Strategy • East-West distinction mandatory; • Phos Plies geostatistically sensible; • B1H also a ‘High Ash-Low Yield’ ply; • B2L-B3H-B4L ‘Low Ash-High Yield’ ply. The Variogram - Uses Variogram: Adjunct to Geological Study • Validity of East/West distinction confirmed for Phos B2L. • Poor spatial continuity: ~70% Nugget. Indicator that a high degree of smoothing will be required for estimation. ID2 or ID3 simply not adapted. • Re-focus investigation on Transitional Zone (WestEast). Nugget Effect Nugget Interpretation • Overall ~ 0.0002 => nugget stdev (0.0141). • Find nearby pairs (quality-quality; resource-resource; quality-resource). • Assess if nearby samples can vary by as much as 0.015% Phos. Nugget Effect - what does it mean? 0.059 & 0.040 0.039 & 0.047 0.040 & 0.029 DHSA • Application (reminder OB’s demo). • Batch processing allows rapid production of DHSA results. • Use for classification purposes. DHSA PHOS - MB2 Seam over a Nominal 1, 2, 5 & 8 years based on 4.0Mt per annum - MULGRAVE PIT WEST 1 year 2 years 5 years 8 years 80% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Drill Hole Spacing (m) 1250x1250 1000x1000 750x750 625x625 500x500 375x375 250x250 125x125 0% 50x50 Global Estimation Precision 70%