Exploration drilling optimisation using

geostatistics: a case in Jharia Coalfield, India

K. Saikia*1 and B. C. Sarkar2
Drill hole optimisation using geostatistics has been used in many parts of the world in respect of
various mineral deposits including coal. The present paper is an attempt to provide a means to
maximise the information to cost ratio for optimisation of exploration drilling in the Jharia coalfield,
which is the only source of prime coking coal in India. Exploration in Jharia Coalfield that has led
to the generation of a huge exploration database has been carried out by various governmental
and non-governmental agencies. But because of lack of importance and an obvious application
towards exploration modelling, the database had not been utilised to its fullest extent. In the
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd

present study, an attempt has been made to derive geostatistical models of various proximate
coal constituents of selected seams in respect of nine opencast mine blocks of the coalfield. This
experimental study, employing geostatistical volume–variance relationships, revealed that an
exploration grid density of 16 drill holes per square kilometre with a grid spacing of 3006300 m
within an exploration area of 161 km is adequate for maximisation of information in respect of the
Jharia Coalfield. Until now, the density of exploration drilling in the coalfield has been considered
as per Indian Standard Procedure (ISP) norms solely based on past experience and proposed
mining methods. The present study of exploration drill hole optimisation using the concept of
kriging variance is associated with an objectively defined mathematical basis and therefore may
be applied for exploration optimisation in other coalfields in India and other countries, which occur
in similar geological settings.
Keywords: Optimisation, Geostatics, Jharia coaffield, Drilling

Introduction and economic feasibility. A question arises as to when to

Detailed exploration through extensive drilling in a coal
deposit is carried out to acquire information on the
nature and extent of coal seams below surface, including
quality and thickness of coal seams, and also of partings
among various seams. During the initial phase of an
exploration campaign, a few pilot exploration holes are
drilled on the basis of geological understanding, surface
indications and old workings among others for possible
intersection of coal seam(s) and to gain an initial
understanding of seam continuity. Based on the success
of pilot hole drilling, a systematic exploration scheme is
formulated to carry out drilling at a wide space interval
for the broad determination of seam continuity in lateral
and vertical directions. In the subsequent phase of
exploration, initially wide intervals are infilled by more
closely spaced drilling in stages. At the end of each stage,
an assessment of reserves and quality of coal are carried
out with an increasing degree of geological assurance
1
Research Fellow, Department of Applied Geology, Indian School of
Mines, Dhanbad–826 004, Jharkhand, India
2
Department of Applied Geology, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad–826
004, Jharkhand, India
*Corresponding author, email bhabesh_sarkar2003@yahoo.co.in
stop drilling and how close the drill holes should be
positioned. In other words, what should be the optimum
drilling pattern for adequate exploration of a coal
deposit for evaluation purposes?
The dimensional size of a coal deposit and the spatial
variability in coal quality parameters are the two
principal guiding factors that play a vital role in
determining optimum drill hole spacing in coal explora-
tion.1 Quality of coal in a deposit is controlled by a suite
of geological factors, namely, source of vegetal matters,
mode of transportation of vegetal matters to the site of
deposition, coalification process and the depositional
environment. Variation in these geological factors leads
to spatial dissimilarity in coal quality. Thus, samples
taken very close together tend to reflect the homo-
geneous nature of a deposit and conversely samples
taken apart tend to reflect its inhomogeneous nature.
This necessitates the formulation of an optimum drilling
strategy. Geostatistical methods aid in such formulation
of an optimum drilling strategy where spatial variability
observed in coal quality constituents of drill core
samples is taken into consideration. Drill hole optimisa-
tion employing geostatistical volume–variance relation-
ships has been used worldwide in respect of many
mineral deposits including coal.1–8

ß 2006 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and The AusIMM

Published by Maney on behalf of the Institute and The AusIMM
Received 12 August 2005; accepted 2 February 2006
DOI 10.1179/174327506X102787 Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006 VOL 115 NO 1 13
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd
1 Map showing location of Jharia Coalfield with respect to various Gondwana basins of India19
Jharia Coalfield, one of the major coalfields in India,
is located in the Dhanbad district of the Jharkhand state
in the eastern part of the country (Fig. 1). It has been
selected as a test case owing to it being the only source of
prime coking coal in India. It represents a Gondwana
age basin in the Koel–Damodar valley,9 situated in the
eastern part of the valley along the north of the river
Damodar. The coalfield lies between latitudes N23u279
and N23u529 and longitudes E86u069 and E86u309.
Need for geostatistical optimisation
scheme for exploration drilling in Jharia
Coalfield
The Jharia Coalfield has been explored by various
agencies during the last two decades. In the initial stage
14 Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006
of exploration, holes had been drilled at a relatively wide
spacing (at ,1 km intervals). During detailed explora-
tion, the drill spacing had been gradually reduced to
400 m apart.10 The exploration drilling density in the
Jharia Coalfield has been considered as per Indian
Standard Procedure. The Committee on Assessment of
Coal Resources constituted by the Coal Council of India
in 1956 drew up the procedure for estimation of coal
resources and submitted its first interim report in 1957.
The procedure was named by the committee as the
‘Indian Standard Procedure’ (ISP), for coal resource
estimation that treats all resources and reserves based on
certain stipulations.11 Based on the results of regional/
promotional exploration, where the drill holes are
placed 1 to 2 km apart, the resources are classified into
the ‘indicated’ or ‘inferred’ category. Subsequent
VOL 115 NO 1

Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd
a 6006600 m drill spacing with density of 4; b 4006400 m drill spacing with density of 9; c 3006300 m drill spacing
with density of 16; d 2006200 m drill spacing with density of 25
2 Drill hole configurations showing various drill hole spacings and drilling densities within exploration area of
100061000 m
detailed exploration in selected blocks, where drill holes
are placed less than 400 m apart, upgrades the resources
into the more reliable ‘proved’ category.12 The definition
of these resource categories compares well with respect to
the JORC and SAMREC codes. However, at present,
India is in the process of recasting and reporting its coal
resources in the United Nations Framework Classification
format.13 But to date, there has not been any systematic
study of mathematical derivation of drill hole optimisa-
tion in the Jharia Coalfield. However, a number of
guidelines have been prepared by various governmental
agencies in respect of the number of drill holes to be drilled
per square kilometre during the detailed stage of
exploration. These guidelines are mainly based on past
experience and proposed mining methods. Owing to the
high value of the coking coal seams a need exists for the
formulation of exploration drilling optimisation strategy
based on geostatistical volume–variance relationships of
various coal constituents in the Jharia Coalfield.
Optimisation of exploration drilling
using geostatistical kriging variance
Geostatistical kriging variance, by virtue of being indepen-
dent of actual sample values has been extensively utilised in
developing an optimum drilling strategy for various
deposits with a prior knowledge of semivariogram para-
meters. Mathematically, kriging variance is expressed as
X
n marginal cost of drilling an additional hole.
s2K ~ ai cðSi ,V Þzl{c(V ,V )
i~1
where ai is the kriged weight, l is the Lagrange
Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B)
Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics
multiplier, cðSi ,V Þ is the average semivariance between
sample and block and cðV ,V Þ is the within block
average semivariance.
From the above mentioned relationship, it is evident
that the magnitude of kriging variance is dependent
upon the following factors:
(i) the characteristics of deposit as represented by
its semivariogram
(ii) the size and shape of blocks being estimated
(iii) the total number of samples used in estimating a
block
(iv) the relative positions of samples with respect to
each other as well as with respect to the block
(v) the technique of estimation employed.
Thus, the magnitude of kriging variance is not affected by
actual values of samples used, although sample values do
enter in the computation of block estimates.4,14 Hence, it
is possible to determine a priori the impact of placing one
or more additional drill holes by the reduction in the
confidence limits of the overall estimate. Kriging variance
can also be utilised to determine not only the additional
number of drill holes required to achieve a certain desired
confidence level but also to select specific locations for
drilling additional holes required for improvement in the
accuracy of reserve estimates.8 Other consequences of the
above mentioned capability are that one can determine
when to stop drilling based on the cost–benefit considera-
tion of marginal improvement in information versus
While formulating an optimum drilling strategy
utilising kriging variance, certain implicit assumptions
are made. One of these assumptions is that the
2006 VOL 115 NO 1 15
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd
3 Experimental semivariograms with fitted models in respect of seam I
semivariogram model used in the computation of
kriging variance represents the true underlying semivar-
iogram. Consequently, sample values obtainable from
the successive stages of future drilling would not modify
drastically the semivariogram model and population
mean of various quality parameters.
Methodology adopted
The drill hole optimisation strategy developed for the
Jharia Coalfield in the present study is aimed at
providing a means to maximise the information to
cost ratio based on geostatistically determined volume–
variance relationships. This relationship states that with
increasing volume of samples, i.e. number of drill holes,
the error of estimation (kriging variance) decreases.6,7,15
Thus, a set of kriging variance estimates are generated
experimentally by increasing the number of drill holes
with a corresponding decrease in drill spacing within
an exploration area of 161 km. Estimates of kriging
variance corresponding to increasing number of drill
holes when plotted graphically results in a curve with an
inverse relationship. The inflexion point of the curve
indicates the stabilisation of the error of estimation
irrespective of any further increase in the number of drill
holes. The number of drill holes corresponding to an
inflexion point in the curve that provides the optimum
number of drill holes that are considered to be
adequately sufficient for exploration. Any further
drilling beyond this would increase the cost of explora-
tion without any further increase in accuracy. In the
present study, a square grid of 100061000 m has been
considered for examining a variety of drill hole
configurations. In the first case, a drill spacing of
16 Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006
6006600 m in a square grid pattern has been considered
comprising a total of four drill holes within an
exploration area of 100061000 m (Fig. 2). Drill hole
spacing has then been experimentally reduced in stages
to 400, then to 300 and finally to 200 m. This led to an
increase in the number of drill holes per square km area
respectively to 9, then to 16 and finally to 25 (Fig. 2a–d).
For each of the above mentioned drill hole configura-
tions, kriging variance has been computed using the
model semivariogram parameters (Table 1) of geostatis-
tically evaluated coal seams, namely, seams I, VIII(A)
and XII in respect of variables, namely, seam thickness,
ash, volatile matter and moisture contents. The fitted
model semivariograms to respective experimental ones
are shown in Figs. 3–5. Among the various semivario-
gram model parameters, nugget effects influence the
degree of heterogeneity of a constituent parameter in a
deposit. The higher the nugget effect of a coal constituent
in a deposit, the higher is the degree of variability and the
lower the correlatibility among sample values. However,
in respect of sedimentary deposit such as coal, a relatively
low nugget effect is observed indicating a near homo-
genous distribution of variables in the deposit and better
correlatibility among sample values. One good practice to
determine spatial variability of a deposit is to use the ratio
of nugget to sill variance. The ratios of nugget to sill
variance in respect of all the variables of selected seams
have been provided in Table 1 which reveal a low to
moderate ratio of nugget to sill variance excepting for ash
content of seam VIII(A). The lower the ratio of nugget to
sill variance, the greater is the degree of homogeneity
within a deposit.
From the kriging variance computed for each drill
hole configuration, 95% confidence limits for the kriged
VOL 115 NO 1
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics

estimate and per cent accuracy of estimation have been

0.04

1600

0.61

1.01
1.36
0.01
Moisture,

0.026

0.066
calculated using the following relationship
95% confidence limits for kriged estimate~

%

1=2
+1:96 s2K

0.50
4.24
1350
4.74
0.11

0.98
0.37
0.08
Volatile Matter,

1=2
1:96 s2K
% accuracy of estimation~+ |100
% kriged mean
where s2K is kriging variance and the value 1.96 refers to
Spherical
5.50
30.60
2300
36.10
0.15

1.01
20.13
20.03
normal percentage point at 95% confidence level.
The computed values of per cent accuracy of esti-
Ash,

mation thus obtained have been graphically plotted with

%

respect to the corresponding number of drill holes to

Thickness,

0.51
0.85
1800
1.36
0.38

1.02
20.89
20.03
identify the inflexion point of the curve.
Seam XII

In the present paper, for the purpose of geostatistical

modelling, GEXSYS software, details of which were
m

published in Mining Magazine, London16 and GSTAT

software, the details of which were published in the
0.025
0.037
Moisture,

1050
0.0622
0.40

1.03
1.12
0.01

Proceedings of the Indian Conference on Computer

Applications in Mineral Industry (ICCAMI), New
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd

Delhi17 were employed along with other tailor-made

specific computer programs developed to suit the needs
1.40
1.04
1350
2.44
0.57

0.99
0.13
0.02
Volatile Matter,

of the required calculations. However, the graphical

plots have been generated through the use of Golden
Software Grapher software, version 5.01. Since coal
seam thickness is restricted in the vertical direction as
%

compared with its lateral extension, the present geosta-

tistical modelling study has been carried out as 2D.
12.50
3.72

16.22
0.77

0.99
0.02
0.01
950
Spherical
Table 1 Semivariogram model parameters in respect of seams I, VIII(A) and XII of Jharia Coalfield

Kriged block estimates with associated kriging variances

Ash,

have been obtained for the drill intersected vertical

%

thickness of coal seams and not with reference to ‘bench

Seam VIII(A)

height’.
0.30

1900

0.40

1.05
0.20
0.07
Thickness,

0.459

0.759

Results
m

Seamwise volume–variance relationships of the selected

1000
0.08
0.60

1.01
22.85
20.03
Moisture,

0.048
0.032

three coal seams in the Jharia Coalfield together with

their graphical plots generated in respect of the variables
are given in Tables 2–4 and Figs. 6–8. The graphical
%

plots reveal that an inflexion point occurs at the

1.10

2500
2.80

3.50
0.34

1.05
20.09
20.02
Volatile Matter,

3006300 m drill configuration indicating optimum drill

spacing in respect of the variables of selected coal seams.
From the calculated values of incremental per cent
reduction in accuracy per additional drill hole as given in
Tables 2–4, the following observations are evident:
%

(i) Variables with very low ratios of nugget to sill

Spherical

1300
12.00
7.00

19.00
0.63

1.02
20.76
20.11

variance, namely, thickness of seam I, ash and

volatile matter of seam XII reflect adequacy of
Ash,

drill spacing at a 4006400 m grid. This is shown

%

by an increase in the values of incremental per

Point kriging cross-validation parameters
950
Thickness,

0.80
5.20

6.00
0.13

1.03
24 17
20.13

cent reduction in accuracy per additional drill

.
Seam I

hole while changing the drill configuration from

Semivariogram model parameters

4006400 to 3006300 m grid spacing

m

(ii) The remainder of the variables with low to

moderate and moderate to moderately high ratio
Error owing to parameters

of nugget to sill variance reflect an adequacy of

Semivariogram model

Range of influence a

drill spacing at a 3006300 m grid. This is

Ratio of C0/(C0zC)
Sill variance C0zC

evidenced by either an increase or a decrease

Ratio of EV to KV
Nugget effect C0

with a fall in the rate of decreasing in the values

Continuity C

Mean Z2Z*

of incremental per cent reduction in accuracy per

additional hole while changing the drill config-
uration from 3006300 to 2006200 m grid
spacing.

Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006 VOL 115 NO 1 17
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics

Table 2 Per cent accuracy of estimation for different drill hole configurations in respect of seam-I*

95% Overall % Incremental

No. of confidence reduction in % reduction
No. of additional limits on Kriged % accuracy accuracy in accuracy Ratio of
Drill hole drill holes from Kriging kriged estimate of estimation from base per additional nugget to
configuration holes n base variance estimate of seam I PA PR hole) sill variance

Thickness
6006600 m 4 – 1.376 ¡ 2.30 ¡ 45.36 – –
4006400 m 9 5 1.293 ¡ 2.23 ¡ 43.98 3.04 0.61
3006300 m 16 12 1.111 ¡ 2.07 ¡ 40.83 9.99 0.99 0.13
2006200 m 25 21 0.995 ¡ 1.96 5.07 ¡ 38.66 14.77 0.53
Ash
6006600 m 4 – 16.066 ¡ 7.86 ¡ 27.79 – –
4006400 m 9 5 14.496 ¡ 7.46 ¡ 26.38 5.07 1.01
3006300 m 16 12 13.623 ¡ 7.23 ¡ 25.57 7.99 0.42 0.63
2006200 m 25 21 12.651 ¡ 6.97 28.28 ¡ 24.65 11.30 0.37
Volatile Matter
6006600 m 4 – 1.619 ¡ 2.49 ¡ 13.29 – –
4006400 m 9 5 1.474 ¡ 2.38 ¡ 12.71 4.36 0.87
3006300 m 16 12 1.366 ¡ 2.29 ¡ 12.22 8.05 0.53 0.34
2006200 m 25 21 1.213 ¡ 2.16 18.73 ¡ 11.53 13.24 0.58
Moisture
6006600 m 4 – 0.064 ¡ 0.50 ¡ 54.35 – –
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd

4006400 m 9 5 0.059 ¡ 0.48 ¡ 52.17 4.01 0.80

3006300 m 16 12 0.055 ¡ 0.46 ¡ 50.00 8.00 0.57 0.60
2006200 m 25 21 0.050 ¡ 0.44 0.92 ¡ 47.83 11.99 0.44
*s 2K is calculated as per the formula provided in the text; 95% confidence limits on kriged estimate51.96(s 2K )1/2, where the value 1.96
P
n
refers to normal percentage point at 95% confidence level; kriged estimate5 ai gi , where gi is the drill intersected sample value and
i~1
ai is the weight associated with sample values; per cent accuracy of estimation5[¡(1.96(s 2 )1/2) kriged estimate]6100; overall %
K
reduction in accuracy from base5[(PAbase2PAbasezi)/PAbase]6100, where i51 to 3; Incremental % reduction in accuracy per
additional drill hole5(PRiz12PRi)/(niz12ni), where i51 to 3.

Thus, it is suggested that the configuration of 3006
300 m drill grid pattern with a density of 16 drill
holes per square km (i.e. 100061000 m) of exploration
area is optimum for adequate exploration in Jharia
Coalfield.
Among various coal quality parameters, volatile
matter is one of the most important distinguishing
parameters owing to the fact that coal quality classifica-
tion depends heavily on volatile matter (VM) content,
i.e. 18–20% VM is low volatile weakly coking, 20–23% is
low volatile medium coking, 23–32% VM is prime
coking, 32–37% VM is high volatile medium coking and
37–44% VM is semicoking. The reproducibility of test
results on the confidence limits would allow subdivision

Table 3 Per cent accuracy of estimation for different drill hole configurations in respect of seam VIII(A)*

95% Overall % Incremental

No. of confidence Kriged reduction % reduction
No. of additional limits on estimate % accuracy in accuracy in accuracy Ratio of
Drill hole drill holes holes from Kriging kriged of seam of estimation from base per additional nugget to
configuration n base variance estimate VIII(A) PA PR hole sill variance

Thickness
6006600 m 4 – 0.408 ¡ 1.25 ¡ 44.80 – –
4006400 m 9 5 0.372 ¡ 1.20 ¡ 43.01 4.00 0.80
2.79
3006300 m 16 12 0.342 ¡ 1.15 ¡ 41.22 7.83 0.55 0.40
2006200 m 25 21 0.291 ¡ 1.06 ¡ 37.99 15.20 0.82
Ash
6006600 m 4 – 16.639 ¡ 8.01 ¡ 28.85 – –
4006400 m 9 5 14.935 ¡ 7.57 ¡ 27.27 5.48 1.10
27.76
3006300 m 16 12 14.162 ¡ 7.38 ¡ 26.59 7.83 0.34 0.77
2006200 m 25 21 13.390 ¡ 7.17 ¡ 25.83 10.47 0.29
Volatile Matter
6006600 m 4 – 1.883 ¡ 2.69 ¡ 14.17 – –
4006400 m 9 5 1.703 ¡ 2.56 ¡ 13.49 4.80 0.96
18.98
3006300 m 16 12 1.592 ¡ 2.47 ¡ 13.01 8.19 0.48 0.57
2006200 m 25 21 1.456 ¡ 2.37 ¡ 12.49 11.86 0.41
Moisture
6006600 m 4 – 0.035 ¡ 0.37 ¡ 41.57 – –
4006400 m 9 5 0.032 ¡ 0.35 ¡ 39.33 5.39 1.08
0.89
3006300 m 16 12 0.029 ¡ 0.33 ¡ 37.08 10.80 0.77 0.40
2006200 m 25 21 0.019 ¡ 0.27 ¡ 30.34 26.94 1.78
*The calculation procedure is same as given in Table 2.

18 Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006 VOL 115 NO 1
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics

Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd

4 Experimental semivariograms with fitted models in respect of seam VIII(A)

of the coal quality classification as prime coking,
medium coking, semicoking, weekly coking and non-
coking coal resources.
The Central Mine Planning Design Institute Limited
(CMPDIL) and other coal exploration agencies in India,
based on their experience and the proposed mining
method had previously implemented a drill hole density
of 15 to 20 drill holes per square km of area for open
cast mine blocks.18 However, in the present study, the
exploration drill hole optimisation scheme obtained for
Jharia Coalfield employing geostatistical kriging var-
iance i.e. 16 drill holes with 3006300 m drill spacing
pattern in an exploration area of 161 km thus fits in
agreement with the drilling density presently followed by

Table 4 Per cent accuracy of estimation for different drill hole configurations in respect of seam XII*

95% Overall % Incremental

No. of confidence Kriged reduction in % reduction
additional limits on estimate % accuracy accuracy in accuracy Ratio of
Drill hole No. of drill holes from Kriging kriged of seam of estimation from base per additional nugget to
configuration holes n base variance estimate XII PA PR hole sill variance

Thickness
6006600 m 4 – 0.697 ¡ 1.64 ¡ 46.20 – –
4006400 m 9 5 0.637 ¡ 1.56 ¡ 43.94 4.89 0.98
3.55
3006300 m 16 12 0.583 ¡ 1.50 ¡ 42.25 8.55 0.52 0.38
2006200 m 25 21 0.469 ¡ 1.34 ¡ 37.75 18.29 1.08
Ash
6006600 m 4 – 7.990 ¡ 5.54 ¡ 23.98 – –
4006400 m 9 5 7.535 ¡ 5.38 ¡ 23.29 2.88 0.58
23.10
3006300 m 16 12 6.436 ¡ 4.97 ¡ 21.52 10.26 1.05 0.15
2006200 m 25 21 6.376 ¡ 4.95 ¡ 21.42 10.68 0.05
Volatile Matter
6006600 m 4 – 0.840 ¡ 1.80 ¡ 8.62 – –
4006400 m 9 5 0.821 ¡ 1.78 ¡ 8.53 1.04 0.21
20.87
3006300 m 16 12 0.657 ¡ 1.59 ¡ 7.62 11.60 1.51 0.11
2006200 m 25 21 0.617 ¡ 1.54 ¡ 7.38 14.39 0.31
Moisture
6006600 m 4 – 0.053 ¡ 0.45 ¡ 51.14 – –
4006400 m 9 5 0.048 ¡ 0.43 ¡ 48.86 4.46 0.89
0.88
3006300 m 16 12 0.046 ¡ 0.42 ¡ 47.73 6.67 0.32 0.61
2006200 m 25 21 0.043 ¡ 0.41 ¡ 46.59 8.90 0.25
*The calculation procedure is same as given in Table 2.

Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006 VOL 115 NO 1 19
 Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd
5 Experimental semivariograms with fitted models in respect of seam XII
various governmental and private agencies in India. The
proposed optimisation scheme employs geostatistical
kriging variance with a sound mathematical basis in
comparison to the notional scheme of 15 to 20 drill holes
per square kilometre of exploration area on the basis of
convention and experience in respect of geological
continuity.
Conclusion
The technique of minimising the exploration cost for
evaluating a coal deposit has been examined by
experimentation to optimise the number of drill holes.
6 Volume–variance relationships in respect of seam I
20 Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) 2006
The optimum number of drill holes required for
exploring a deposit adequately needs to be determined
objectively to make the exploration process a cost
effective venture. Among various innovative methods
for drill hole optimisation, geostatistics provides an
improved, effective and accurate means using kriging
variance in formulating an optimal drilling strategy. The
technique is applicable for any deposit exhibiting
regionalised phenomena.
In the present study of drill hole optimisation of the
Jharia Coalfield, a density of 16 drill holes using a
3006300 m drill hole spacing within an exploration area of
100061000 m have been found to be optimal for
VOL 115 NO 1

7 Volume–variance relationships in respect of seam VIII(A)
Published by Maney Publishing (c) IOM Communications Ltd
8 Volume–variance relationships in respect of seam XII
exploration of open cast mine blocks. The results thus
obtained with the use of geostatistics can be employed for
future planning of exploration drill holes in respect of
unexplored part of the Jharia Coalfield. Similarly, the
optimisation scheme outlined here can be extended to other
Indian Coalfields occurring in similar geological settings.
However, in selection of actual drill hole location at
the drill site, non-geological factors such as topography,
site access, permissions from governments and land
owners, existing infrastructures, archeological monu-
ments etc. influence the possible sitting of drill holes.
Taking into account these factors, ideal drill hole
locations on the basis of a model may require modifica-
tion. In particular, choice of drill hole spacing on the
basis of any code, guide, standard procedure and
statistical assessment should also form a part of the
process of coal mine planning.
Acknowledgements
The authors thankfully acknowledge the Bharat Coking
Coal Limited (BCCL) for providing necessary data
Applied Earth Science (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B)
Saikia and Sarkar Exploration drilling optimisation using geostatistics
support to carry out the exploration optimisation study.
The first author acknowledges the Council of Scientific
and Industrial Research for providing financial support
through research grant No. 9/85(97)/2K2/EMR-I during
the period 2002–2004 in connection with PhD research
at Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. The second author
acknowledges the support received in the Department of
Applied Geology, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad.
The authors express thanks to the referees for their
invaluable suggestions in improving the overall quality
of the paper.
References
1. C. W. Farell: ‘Geostatistics helps reduce drilling’, Min. Equip. Int.,
1982, 6, (9), 123–129.
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Authors
Dr Kalyan Saikia is a research fellow in the Department
of Applied Geology, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad.
He holds BSc (Hons) in Geology from Gauhati
University and MSc in Applied Geology from the
Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad. He did his
PhD research on Geostatistics at ISM, Dhanbad.
Dr Bhabesh C. Sarkar is Associate Professor in the
Department of Applied Geology at Indian School of
Mines, Dhanbad. He holds BSc (Hons) and MSc. from
the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and PhD
and DIC in Mining Geostatistics from Imperial College,
University of London. He had previously served as
geologist in Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd,
Nagpur and also as Geologist and Senior Geologist in
Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udaipur. He had also served as
Director, All India Council for Technical Education,
New Delhi.
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