TITLE: RESERVE ESTIMATION

CASE STUDY: RUVUMA COAL LIMITED

NAME: MACHANGO S MAGETA
REG NO: 200140622404
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1:A map showing the distribution of drill holes on the licensed areas................................1
Figure 2:A map showing the distribution karoo and location of Ngaka coalfield within the
Ruhuhu basin...................................................................................................................................5
Figure 3:Stratigraphic table of the Songea Group (WOPFNER, 2001)..........................................6
Figure 4:General Relationship between Exploration Information, Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves...........................................................................................................................................7
Figure 5:: The hierarchy for reserve estimation in this study........................................................12
Figure 6: The difference between composited and uncomposited data.........................................14
Figure 7:A computerized model....................................................................................................14
Figure 8: Validation of sectioned drillholes..................................................................................15

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 TABLE OF CONTENT
LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................................... I
1. INTRODUCTION:..............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 SITE INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................1
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT:.................................................................................................................................1
1.3 OBJECTIVES:.....................................................................................................................................................2
1.3.1 Main Objective:...........................................................................................................................................2
1.3.2 Specific Objectives:......................................................................................................................................2
1.4 SCOPE:................................................................................................................................................................2
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE:.................................................................................................................................................2
2. METHODOLOGY:............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................3
2.2 PROJECT PHASES.............................................................................................................................................3
2.2.1 PHASE 1: EXPLORATION....................................................................................................................3
2.2.1.1 Equipment to be used:.................................................................................................................................3
2.2.1.2 Exploration Activities..................................................................................................................................3
2.2.2 PHASE 2: RESERVE ESTIMATION......................................................................................................3
2.2.2.1 Equipment to be used:.................................................................................................................................4
2.2.2.2 Reserve Estimation Activities......................................................................................................................4

3. LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................................................5
3.1 COAL GEOLOGY..............................................................................................................................................5
3.2 COAL EXPLORATION......................................................................................................................................6
3.2.1 IMPORTANT DATA TO BE COLLECTED...........................................................................................6
3.2.2 MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES...........................................................................................7
3.2.2.1 MINERAL RESOURCES...........................................................................................................................7
3.2.2.2 MINERAL RESERVES..............................................................................................................................7
3.2.3 GEOLOGIC MAPPING.........................................................................................................................8
3.2.4 DRILLING AND LOGGING PROCESS.....................................................................................................8
3.2.4.1 DRILLING..................................................................................................................................................8
3.2.4.2 LOGGING..................................................................................................................................................8
3.3 RESERVE ESTIMATION.................................................................................................................................8
3.3.1 COAL QUALITY, SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS....................................................................................9
3.3.1.1 ISO standards..............................................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.2 Coal Sampling.............................................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.3 Coal Analysis..............................................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.4 Moisture............................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3.1.5 Ash....................................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3.1.6 Volatile matter.............................................................................................................................................9
3.3.1.7 Fixed carbon.......................................................................................................................................................10
3.3.2 METHODS FOR RESERVE ESTIMATION...............................................................................................10
3.3.2.1 Conventional Methods........................................................................................................................................10
3.3.2.1.1 Polygonization............................................................................................................................................10
3.3.2.1.2 Triangulation..............................................................................................................................................10
3.3.2.2 Geostatistical methods........................................................................................................................................11
3.3.2.2.1 Nearest Neighbor Method:.........................................................................................................................11
3.3.2.2.2 Inverse Distance Method............................................................................................................................11
3.3.2.2.3 Ordinary Krigging Method.........................................................................................................................11
3.3.3 ESTIMATION OF THE COAL RESERVES.........................................................................................12
3.3.3.1 Preparation Phase...............................................................................................................................................13
3.3.3.2 Investigation Phase.............................................................................................................................................13
3.3.3.3 Compositing....................................................................................................................................................... 13

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 3.3.3.4 Model Building...................................................................................................................................................14
3.3.3.5 Validation........................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.3.3.6 Classification...................................................................................................................................................... 15

4. REFERENCES:.................................................................................................................................................17

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 1. INTRODUCTION:
1.1 SITE INTRODUCTION
Ruvuma Coal Limited Mine falls in Ngaka coalfield, which is within the Karoo formation of
Ruhuhu basin, in Ruvuma region South-Western of Tanzania. The coal seams found in the area
are hosted in the Mchuchuma formation which dips to the North approximately 30 degrees.
(thomas, 2013)
The principal businesses carried out at project area are exploration, mining, processing, and
supplying of coal.
The company employs much effort in exploration for all its reserves within its mining licenses
something which brought about the requirement for a well-coordinated exploration and reserve
estimation.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT:

Unlike most of the mines, Ruvuma Coal Mine has been operated without enough knowledge
about its reserve and there has not been a proper planned exploration layout with confident
estimated reserve, something which hinders proper mine planning and designing.
Initially from exploration drilling of 14 drillholes within the licensed locales, 10 drillholes
intercepted the coal seams within the limits of established eastern and western targets, the total
in-situ coal resource was estimated to 12Mt.
A need of utilizing an integrated geographical information system to plan and achieve desired
exploration results and reserve estimate essential.

Figure 1:A map showing the distribution of drill holes on the licensed areas

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1.3 OBJECTIVES:
1.3.1 Main Objective:
To estimation reserve
1.3.2 Specific Objectives:
i. To determine exploration coverage, plan and execute proper drilling and logging
ii. To determine reserve estimation parameters.
iii. To generate solid and block model.
iv. To estimate and report results

1.4 SCOPE:
 This project is limited to Ruvuma Coal Limited and its related infrastructure which
are within its contiguous mining licenses, under this study.
 The reserve estimation calculations based on computerized mode using Surpac
6.6.2 software.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE:
This study will provide the best exploration layout to be used in the reserve development
together with providing the estimates of the reserves within the area which will be of great use in
terms of mine planning and designing.

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 2. METHODOLOGY:
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In this study methods to be used will involve literature survey and both site and office work
involving collection of both primary and secondary data followed by data analysis and
interpretation. The development and succession of this project depend on the number of
methodologies to be used to archive the desired output.

2.2 PROJECT PHASES

The project is in three phases as the objectives suggest including

i. Exploration

ii. Reserve Estimation.

2.2.1 PHASE 1: EXPLORATION
Exploration is done for the purpose of collecting necessary data required for the completion of
this project. The data collected during exploration include:

 Topographic data
 Drillhole data
 Coal quality data

This data come handy in the issue of reserve estimation as they provide values necessary in
reserve calculation.
2.2.1.1 Equipment to be used:
For exploration conduction the following equipment will be used: Geological hammer, Compass,
Notebook, Computer, Differential Global Positioning System and Software for visualization and
data recording including QGIS and Microsoft Office package, Tape measure, Danger tape,
Drilling machines and Sampling tools.
2.2.1.2 Exploration Activities
In exploration activities to be done will involve geological mapping, drilling, logging, sampling,
analysis, and testing all done to obtain as much information as possible to be used in reserve
estimation.
2.2.2 PHASE 2: RESERVE ESTIMATION
The main purpose of estimating reserve is to evaluate quantitative and qualitative factors of the
mineral deposit/resource to determine whether or not its economically recoverable. The factors
used for evaluation in reserve estimation also termed as modification factor include

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Consideration of mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental,
infrastructure, social, and governmental factors all this depend on the geoscientific confidence.
Geoscientific confidence is linked direct to exploration data obtained from exploration activities
as identified above.
2.2.2.1 Equipment to be used:
In reserve estimation different tools and equipment will be used including Computer, Software
packages, Plain papers, and Stationaries
2.2.2.2 Reserve Estimation Activities
In reserve estimation activities to be done are easily summarized here under and are basically
dependent to the software and method to be used for the case of this study, Surpac will be used,
and the following are the activities to be done in ascending manner

 Organizing of collected field data

 Database management
 Displaying drillholes
 Grade analysis
 Compositing
 Sectioning
 Ore modelling and Variogram Analysis
 Block Modelling
 Reserve Estimation

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 3. LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1 COAL GEOLOGY
Coals are the result of the accumulation of vegetable debris in a specialized environment of
deposition. Such accumulations have been affected by synsedimentary and post-sedimentary
influences to produce coals of differing rank and differing degrees of structural complexity, the
two being closely interlinked. The plant types that make up coals have evolved over geological
time, providing a variety of lithotypes in coals of differing ages.
There are eight coalfields in Tanzania, the Karroo sediments are preserved in depressions in the
Precambrian basement, all are in the southwest of the country. (Thomas, 2013). Ngaka coalfield
being one of them, Ngaka coalfield is located within the Ruhuhu basin. Reserve estimation for
this study takes place in the Ngaka coalfield.

Figure 2:A map showing the distribution karoo and location of Ngaka coalfield within the Ruhuhu basin

In the northern Ngaka Sub-basin, shallow dipping and truncated glacial beds of the basal
Lisimba Member are overlain by steeper dipping sandstones and coal seams of the Mchuchuma
Formation. (WOPFNER, 2001).

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 Figure 3:Stratigraphic table of the Songea Group (WOPFNER, 2001)

Mineral deposits are natural concentrations of one or more mineral commodities that may be
termed ore deposits if they reach levels where economic extraction is viable. They form because
of many geological processes, but they form within specified geological settings. Similar genetic
processes may operate to form deposits that have similar characteristics and, thus, may define a
“class” of deposits. The geological processes that may concentrate minerals include fractional
crystallization of mag- mas, release of volatiles from a crystallizing magma, magmatic
interaction with host rocks, metamorphic reactions producing fluids, chemical changes in
circulating heated groundwater, organic interactions, and weathering, among others. (SME,
2011)
As suggested by (WOPFNER, 2001) that Ngaka coalfield falls in K2-lithostratigraphy, the
lithologies in K2 are identified to be Sandstones, shales, coaly carbonaceous mudstones, and
coals.

3.2 COAL EXPLORATION

The purpose for coal exploration is to determine necessary coal data to be used in further reserve
estimation and mine development.
3.2.1 IMPORTANT DATA TO BE COLLECTED
During coal exploration it important to keenly record important data about the deposit including
Location Data, Lithologic Data, Structural Data, Alteration Data, Mineralization Data, Coal Data
and all other features. For Coal Data it is important to map or log all features that aid in
correlation, understanding the distribution of sedimentary facies, and constructing a depositional
model of the coal bed(s) and coal-bearing sequence. Accurate measurements of depths and

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thickness of all units associated with the coal. Some key features include abundance and type of
marine or freshwater fossils, slicken- side in roof or floor rocks, the presence of roots
representing old soil horizons, pyrite bands, nodules or streaks, siderite or ironstone nodules, and
plant debris. Description of individual coal beds, either the banded or non-banded groups,
requires careful measurement or estimates of the banded lithotypes. (The Resource and Reserves
Commitee of the SME, 2017)
3.2.2 MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES
3.2.2.1 MINERAL RESOURCES
Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on
the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects
for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity, and other
geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated, or interpreted from
specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling.
Mineral Resources are subdivided, in order of increasing geoscientific confidence, into Inferred,
Indicated, and Measured classes.
3.2.2.2 MINERAL RESERVES
Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral
Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the
material is mined or extracted. (SME, 2011)
Mineral Reserves are categorized into two groups, namely: Probable and Proven Mineral
Resources and varies as the variation in the level of geoscientific knowledge.

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 Figure 4:General Relationship between Exploration Information, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves

3.2.3 GEOLOGIC MAPPING

In general, regardless of the resource type, geologic mapping is for the purpose of providing data
on lithology, alteration, mineralization, structure, and ground conditions, as well as analytical
data (i.e., assays or coal quality) for resource evaluation together with detailed mineral and rock
identification, characterization, and record keeping.
3.2.4 DRILLING AND LOGGING PROCESS
3.2.4.1 DRILLING
Exploration drilling will be carried out to determine coal seam depth, thickness, and quality at
any given point within an area, and details of the strata associated with the coal. For the majority
of boreholes drilled in the main area of interest, rotary drilling rigs are used. These rigs have
good penetration rates, relatively low cost and are mobile. They provide the most economical
means of shallow (down to 400 m) open hole and core drilling of coal deposits. Exploration
boreholes are usually vertical but in areas of high dips inclined boreholes may be drilled,
particularly in underground workings. (Thomas, 2013)
Drilling of one type or another provides much of the material used for sampling and geologic
analysis of natural resources. The core, rotary, percussion, or sonic drill provides the geologist
with numerous surface or subsurface points to observe, describe, and sample, providing the facts
to include in a geologic database for analysis and interpretation. Drilling is expensive and time-
consuming, and to derive maximum benefit from the data obtained, an orderly, standardized
system of recording, commonly referred to as logging, is needed. This logging requires the same

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detail as described in the previous section on mapping. The general comments and philosophy
described for mapping apply to logging as well.
3.2.4.2 LOGGING
In general, regardless of the resource type, drilling and logging are conducted for the purpose of
providing data on lithology, alteration, structure, ground conditions, and analysis that is, assays
or coal quality for resource evaluation. The next paragraphs summarize typical requirements,
considerations, and steps in the logging process and discuss how one might proceed in what is
essentially an exercise in detailed mineral and rock identification, characterization, and record
keeping, which will be discussed in more detail.

3.3 RESERVE ESTIMATION

Before mining to commence it is important to know the quantity and quality of what is supposed
to be mined and to do this necessary consideration should be adhered to. Unlike precious
minerals coal estimation puts into consideration parameters such as coal quality, thickness, dip
angle and strike.
Thickness of coal, dip angle and strike can all be determined at field during drilling while coal
quality must be determined through laboratory testing from the samples taken during drilling.

3.3.1 COAL QUALITY, SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

The coal quality starts with the type of coal which is determined by the by its Calorific value and
extends to moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and Sulphur content.
Quality of coal is determined for laboratory results from sampled samples.
Tests and analysis done are all carried out in specified International Standards, for the case of
this studies the laboratory analysis was carried out using ISO Standard.
3.3.1.1 ISO standards
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International
Standards. It is a network of national standards bodies. The national standards organizations
make up the ISO membership and they represent ISO in their country. Today, ISO has members
from 164 countries and 3368 technical bodies to take care of standard development. (Zhu, 2014)
Coal ISO standard is named ISO 17246:2010
3.3.1.2 Coal Sampling
Sampling was done for the purpose to be sent to the laboratory to determine the quality of coal
within each borehole being drilled; samples taken were in form of chippings for RC Drill and
Cores from Diamond drills.

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3.3.1.3 Coal Analysis
The main purpose of coal sample analysis is to determine the quality or rank of the coal along
with its intrinsic characteristics. Proximity coal analysis was carried out to determine ash
content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific value.
3.3.1.4 Moisture
Moisture may occur in various forms within a coal: surface or free moisture: water held on the
surface of coal particles or macerals; inherent (residual) moisture: water held by capillary action
within the pores/capillaries of coal; decomposition moisture: water produced from the thermal
decomposition of organic constituents of coal; mineral moisture (water of hydration of mineral
matter): water which comprises part of the crystal structure of hydrous silicates such as clays and
inorganic minerals in coal.
3.3.1.5 Ash
Ash is the residue remaining after the combustion of coal in air and is derived from inorganic
complexes present in the original coal substance and from associated mineral matter. Therefore,
the result of the determination is ‘ash’ and not ‘ash content’ as coal does not contain any ash.
The ash yield is commonly used as an indication of the grade or quality of a coal since it
provides a measure of the incombustible material.
3.3.1.6 Volatile matter
Volatile matter (VM) in coal refers to the thermal decomposition products liberated when coal is
heated at high temperature in the absence of air. The VM obtained during the paralysis of coal

consists mainly of combustible gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, tar,
ammonia as well as incombustible gases like carbon dioxide and steam. VM content may be used
to establish the rank of coals, to provide the basis for purchasing and selling, or to establish
burning characteristics such as combustibility (reactivity) of a coal, and ease of ignition and
hence flame stability. VM is determined by establishing the loss in weight resulting from heating
a coal sample under rigidly controlled conditions. The measured weight loss, corrected for
moisture as determined using standard methods, establishes the volatile matter content.
3.3.1.7 Fixed carbon
Fixed carbon in coal is the carbon that remains in the coal sample after volatile matter is driven
off. This differs from the ultimate carbon content of the coal because some carbon is lost in
hydrocarbons with volatiles. The ratio of fixed carbon to proximate VM, the fuel ratio, is used as
a measure of combustion reactivity and burnout. Fixed carbon is not determined directly, it is
calculated by subtracting from 100 the resultant summation of moisture, VM and ash, all as a
percentage mass fraction on the same moisture (Zhu, 2014)

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3.3.2 METHODS FOR RESERVE ESTIMATION
Methods for reserve estimation are basically categorized into two, Conventional and
Geostatistical methods.
3.3.2.1 Conventional Methods
Conventional Methods are also termed as traditional methods of which ore reserve estimation are
developed based on characteristics and metal contents of the surrounding ground. The
procedures do not consider any valid way to measure the reliability or uncertainty of the tonnage
and grade. “Experience” factors are applied to make necessary corrections when things go
wrong. This results in a write-off of payable deposits and overvalue of low-grade deposits.
Conventional procedures occasionally deliver ore of estimated grades to the mill, particularly for
short-term and midterm periods. Conventional methods include
3.3.2.1.1 Polygonization
The polygon method is an old and established approach based on a simple geometric algorithm,
in which we construct a polygon around each hole to determine an area of influence for that hole;
and then the total volume directly beneath the polygon is assigned the same values as the drill
hole from which we constructed the polygon. We’ll take a closer look at his method shortly.
3.3.2.1.2 Triangulation
Also known as the triangle method requires that we connect adjacent holes into triangles. The
included area of each triangle is assigned the characteristic not of a single hole, but of the
weighted average of the three holes forming the triangle. The weighting of the three holes is
based on the length of the drill holes.
3.3.2.2 Geostatistical methods
Geostatistical methods utilize three-dimensional spatial statistics to improve the quality of the
estimate. That’s to say X, Y and Z values to a particular distribution model. Geostatistical
methods can recognize the distribution pattern, identifying characteristics of elements, and
establishing correlation between variables and estimation of tonnage/grade with associated level
of confidence. Geostatistics is a powerful tool for improving the quality of the estimation.
Geostatistical estimation methods include:
3.3.2.2.1 Nearest Neighbor Method:
Nearest neighbor interpolation which is also known as proximal interpolation or point sampling
is a method of multivariate interpolation in one or more dimensions. Interpolation is the method
of approximation of the value of a function for a given point in some space. The nearest neighbor
method selects the value of the nearest point in the predefined space and does not consider the
value of other neighboring points.

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3.3.2.2.2 Inverse Distance Method
The inverse-distance weighted procedure is versatile, easy to program and understand, and is
fairly accurate under a wide range of conditions (Lam, 1983). Using this method, the property at
each unknown location for which a solution is sought is given by:

Where Pi is the property at location i; Pj is the property at sampled location j; Dij is the distance
from i to j; G is the number of sampled locations; and n is the inverse-distance weighting power.
The value of n, in effect, controls the region of influence of each of the sampled locations. As n
increases, the region of influence decreases until, in the limit, it becomes the area which is closer
to point I than to any other. When n is set equal to zero, the method is identical to simply
averaging the sampled values. As n gets larger, the method approximates the Voronoi
tessellation procedure (Watson and Philip, 1985). Usually, the value of n is set arbitrarily.
Watson and Philip (1985) listed some of the limitations of the inverse-distance weighted
procedure. The major limitation is that estimates are bounded by the extrema in the sampled
values. Additionally, the radial symmetry which this procedure imparts to the data obscures the
effect of linear features such as ridges or valleys. For n £ 1, the derivative of the interpolated
surface is discontinuous at the sampled locations, while for n >1, the surface is flat at these
sampled locations
3.3.2.2.3 Ordinary Krigging Method
The main venture in ordinary kriging is to build a variogram from the dissipate point set to be
interpolated. A variogram comprises of two parts: an experimental variogram and a model
variogram. Assume that the worth to be interpolated is alluded to as f. The experimental
variogram is found by figuring the variance (g) of each one point in the set as for each of other
points and plotting the variances versus separation (h) between the points. A few equations might
be utilized to figure the variance, yet it is ordinarily calculated as half the difference in f squared.
Once the experimental variogram is figured, the following step is followed o characterize a
model variogram. A model variogram is a straightforward function that models the pattern in the
experimental variogram.
At small partition distances, the variance in f is small. As it were, points that are near one another
have comparable f values. After a certain level of partition, the variance in the f qualities gets to
be arbitrary to some degree and the model variogram levels out to a value corresponding to the
average variance.
When the model variogram is built, it is used to compute the weights used as a part of kriging.
The basic equation used in ordinary kriging is:

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where n is the amount of scatter points in the set, fi are the qualities of the scatter points, and wi
are weights allotted to each one disperses point. This comparison is basically the same as the
mathematical statement utilized for inverse distance weighted interpolation aside from that
instead of utilizing weights based on an arbitrary function of distance, the weights utilized as a
part of kriging are focused around the model variogram.
3.3.3 ESTIMATION OF THE COAL RESERVES
Estimation of the coal reserves depend on the data available from drilling (logging information),
laboratory and the method to be used in reserve estimation. Method can be manual,
computerized, or integrated method using both manual and computerized. For this study the
method to be used is computerized and will involve Surpac software in determining the reserve.
The hierarchy for reserve estimation in this study is as follows:

Preparation

Investigation

Model building

Validation

Classification and reporting

Figure 5:: The hierarchy for reserve estimation in this study

3.3.3.1 Preparation Phase

Preparation phase aimed at ensuring integrity of the data to be used in estimation and modeling
process. This is done through examining the quality and quantity of data by evaluating QA/QC
reports on drilling, sampling, laboratory works and laboratory certification. Also, the datab
integrity is checked to be confident that it contains necessary information like geological logging
data, assays, relevant structural or lithological information needed in estimation and modeling
process
3.3.3.2 Investigation Phase
The main purpose for this stage is to build solid understanding of the data set to be used in
resource modelling. Statistics will be used in this stage to understand the grade pattern within

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domains and evaluating the possibility of combining different source of data like channel
samples and RC drilling cuts, validating the final resource model and validate QA/QC.
Two common aspects of investigation are descriptive data analysis and variography done for the
assay data. In this context, raw assay data are the original sample assays on which no sort of
computations have been performed on it. Summary statistics include measure of shape (skewness
and kurtosis), measure of location, measure of spread and sample counting. It is useful in
identification of geologic controls Histograms of grades against lithologies are plotted to display
grade distribution in various lithologies.
This method is very useful to identify mineralization controls that are resulted from certain rock
type. Other controls of mineralization include Geologic structure. Also, through histograms, the
type of distribution that data potray should be identified. E.g bimodal, normal distribution,
positively skewed, negative skewed etc.
3.3.3.3 Compositing
Compositing is a downhole declustering techniques used to ensure that samples have comparable
influence on the statistics. In many practical works, samples are collected at various length. If
they will be used directly in modelling, the model will be subjected to bias. So, compositing help
to homogenize data supports (length). The choice of composite length is constrained by bench
height and the smallest dimension of a selective mining unit. For deposits like coal and kaolin
which are tabular, the composite length is limited by the distance between hanging wall and
footwall and presence of sharp or gradational boundary After compositing data distribution
should always remain the same.

Figure 6: The difference between composited and uncomposited data

3.3.3.4 Model Building

The purpose of model building phase is to produce an idealized representation of geometric
configuration of various features like alterations, vein type and mineral zonation in the deposit

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(Blacwell, 2004). Model contain essential physical attributes of the deposit like grade and
tonnage which are used in prediction. Model building encompasses various activities like
modelling of topographical surface, defining geological controls and constructing mineralization
9 volumes (domains), selecting estimation parameters, run grade estimation and creating 3D
model of the domain

Figure 7:A computerized model

3.3.3.5 Validation
 Model validation deals with checking the fidelity of the resource model versus the raw
data used in estimation. To have good decision in all other mining aspect good resource
model that is 10 representatives to the site condition is highly recommended.
 Resource model validation can be done either quantitatively where statistical methods are
applied or qualitatively. In quantitatively approach, model can be validated using
statistical or graphical tools.
 Statistical validation involves comparing of variance of data and variance of the model,
comparison of distributions of raw data versus estimates check if they are in the same
type of distribution at a required confidence interval. This validation is done per
estimation domain.
 In graphical Validation, the interpolated block grades were visually checked on sections
against the composite drill hole grades. Different sections of the block model were
visualised in graphics together with the validated geological database.

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 Figure 8: Validation of sectioned drillholes

3.3.3.6 Classification
This is the process of organizing systematically the information regarding the ores and other
mineral deposit which have economic value. It is required so that Engineer can design a mine
that will satisfy the stakeholders’ requirements for a given mine. Various decision and criteria
can be used for classification of the resource. This is because, each mine has unique geological,
mining, and metallurgical characteristics
 The current approach for classification has various methods which have conceptual
similarities, and these are Using the number of drill holes and samples near each block.
The approach is geometric by nature, and it is very understandable, but it is very
simplified method.
 The use of kriging variance which indicate the confidence of estimation of the blocks.
 Using different search radii to estimate blocks in a stepwise process, while keeping track
of when the blocks get an estimated value. The more information is used to obtain an
estimate, the more certain it will be
 Drill hole grid spacing basing on specified geologic criteria whether what will be the
optimum distance for inferred, measured and indicated mineral resource

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 4. REFERENCES:

SME, S. O. (2011). SME MINING ENGINEERING HANDBOOK. SOCIETY OF MINING,

METALLUGY AND EXPLORATION, INC.
The Resource and Reserves Commitee of The SME. (2017). SME GUIDE FOR REPORTING
EXPLORATION INFORMATION, MINERAL RESOURCES, AND MINERAL
RESERVES. THE RESOURCES AND RESERVES COMMITEE OF THE SOCIETY
FOR MINING, METALLURGY, AND EXPLORATION INC.
Thomas, L. (2013). Coal Geology (Vol. second). Oxford: A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

WOPFNER, H. (2001). Tectonic and climatic events controlling deposition in Tanzania karoo
basin. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 11.
Zhu, Q. (2014). Coal Sampling and Analysi Standards. London: IEA Clean Coal Center.

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