Significance of the “cut off-average grade-tonnage” sensitivity analysis in mining projects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.130.1.008Keywords:
cut-off, mining quality standards, mining projects, resources qualification, sensitivity analysis technical reportsAbstract
The sensitivity analysis applied to the grade-tonnage relationship in mining projects is a recognized stage in all existing quality standards. However, once presented, the results are hardly commented on or criticized. This study analyzes more than 50 projects grouped by copper and gold metallogenetic models which find their own characteristics in the tonnage evolution curves by varying the cut-off grade. In addition, when considering the categories of quality in information regarding resources, those which are classified as inferred usually denote a lack of quality. This study also offers an explanation about the behaviour of ore typologies with important resources and non-abrupt grade variations, with other typologies with well-declared anisotropies and strong structural controls.
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