Promoting Simulations in Mine

Sampling
Marco Alfaro
Corporative Reserve Manager, Yamana Gold

Professor University of Santiago, Catholic

University of Valparaiso, and University of
Concepcin
 Introduction
The fundamental principe of mine sampling in
the case of particulate materials is:
SAMPLING MUST BE EQUIPROBABLE

Sampling is equiprobable when every fragment that constitutes the

lot has the same probability of being chosen by the entire sample

If this condition is not fulfilled, we have an SPECIMEN

Example 1: non-equiprobable sampling in an
stock pile
Example 2: Sampling in an underground mine

28 holes of
 Simulations
Several simulations of sampling in mines
and plants are examined to show how
they can guide to use a correct sampling
method
 Example1: THE HUMAN EYE
Sometimes sampling is visual. The human eye
is very bad

RUN PROGRAM 1
 Example 2: Blast hole sampling
A poorly solved problem in mining is sampling of
a blast hole in an open pit.
RUN PROGRAM 2

Simulation is better than reality

Example 3: Sampling of moving mineral flow

This type of sampling is used once the mineral has left

the mine

RUN PROGRAM 3
Example 4: Gold leak sampling

Sample
RUN PROGRAM 4
 The bias

EXPERIMENTAL MY SIMULATION
Example 5: Gys formula in case of gold

RUN PROGRAM 5
Example 6: A Sampling Experiment

In a pan place 20 Kg of rice (1,000,000 grains). Take 10

grains, paint them red and put back in the pan and mix.
Take an equiprobable sample of 250 gr.

RUN PROGRAM 6
Example7: Mine-Plant Reconciliation
Variogram Mine & Variogram Plant
 My Simulation
RUN PROGRAM 7
 Conclusions
In our mines and plants we are swarming with
specimens.
Simulations can assist mining people (mine
manager) in obtaining useful samples.
Pedro Carrasco: Gran amigo

1983
 Gracias!
BIBLIOGRAFA (e-Books):
M. Alfaro: Introduccin al muestreo minero,
2003 (Google).
M. Alfaro: Introduao a Mostragem na
Mineraao. Yamana 2010.

marco.alfaro@vtr.net