Estimation of Nickel Laterite Resources Using Model Block Sizes in Lasolo

Islands District, North Konawe Regency

Sofiannur1, Eddy Winarno2, Tedy Agung Cahyadi3, Aldio Kresna Pambayu4

1,2,3
Mining Engineering Department UPN Veteran”Yogyakarta
Master of Mining Engineering UPN “Veteran” Yogyakarta
Corresponding author: sofiannur013@gmail.com, tedyagunc@upnyk.ac.id

ABSTRACT

hole spacing. The rule of thumb is half the distance of the drilled hole or greater. If the deposit has consistent
mineralization and low nuggets, a quarter drill hole spacing is acceptable (Snowden 2017). Ordinary kriging is a
form of linear geostatistical analysis to predict a value based on surrounding values by considering spatial
components (Soe, 2013). This research aims to determine the model block selection and estimate laterite nickel
resources, determining the estimation method based on the coefficient of variance value and the geological
conditions of the mineral deposits. This research area is located in Lasolo Islands District, North Konawe Regency
at PT. X block south. Based on the statistical analysis, the coefficient of variance value in the limonite zone was
0.04, the coefficient of variance value in the saprolite zone was 0.12, and it falls into simple geological conditions.
The estimation method used in this research is the ordinary kriging method with model block sizes of 12.5 m × 12.5
m × 1 m and 3 m × 3 m × 1 m. The estimated results in the limonite zone with a block size of 12.5 m were 202,500
tonnes with an average grade of 1.46%, and in the saprolite zone, there were 446,250 tonnes with an average grade
of 1.72%.

Keywords: Block Model, Resource Estimation, Coefficient of variance, OK.

1. Introduction

Resource estimation is one of the final steps in mineral exploration where a deposit model is later built (Gezley et al.
2014). Apart from closing the mineral exploration stage, resource evaluation is also a stage in reserve estimation
which is then used to prepare an economic feasibility study (Mery & Marcotte, 2022). Based on this, the results of
resource evaluation should be close to the actual value.
The basis for choosing an estimation method is based on sediment geometry and if the coefficient of variance (CV)
value shows a value of less than 0.25, then the results can be categorized as low CV and if the results show a value
between 0.25 to less than 0.75 then the results are categorized as medium CV, and the results show the value is
equal to or more than 0.75 then the result is categorized as high CV (Alan C. Noble in SME, 2011). PT. Mining
Business License Area. X in Boedigi Village, Lasolo Islands District, North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi
Province. The geographical location of the research area is located at the coordinates 122° 22' 22.53" East Longitude
and 3°27' 20'' South Latitude. Basic statistical analysis was made for samples of the Ni element in each
mineralization domain, where basic analysis was carried out to determine the average value of nickel content based
on drill data, variance (homogeneity of levels) coefficient of variance and distribution of the data. In this research,
the data collected is regional geological data in the form of morphological, lithological and other supporting
geological data as primary data and drillhole data taken from the results of PT exploration drilling. X Site Boedingi,
South Block Southeast Sulawesi with drilling spacing, namely, 25 meters × 25 meters
2. Method
2.1. Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis is carried out on assay data to provide an overview of data characteristics such as mean (average
value), maximum and minimum values, median (middle value), amount of data, standard deviation, variance and
coefficient of variation (CV). Statistical analysis was carried out based only on nickel content in the research area.
Statistical analysis aims to determine the data statistically and determine the cut-off grade required for subsurface
interpretation.
2.2. Ordinary Kriging
The estimation technique used in this research is ordinary kriging (OK) which uses several parameters in estimating
levels. The required parameters include the minimum and maximum amount of data estimates, the area of the data
search area (ellipsoil) and the model variogram. After the interpolation is complete, the next step is to estimate.
Estimations were carried out using the Micromine 2021.5 software. The final result of the OK method is an
estimated grade and estimated variance in each block.
 2.3. Block Dimension
In calculating resource estimates, the block size will influence the nickel resource estimation results. The data
required comes from literature studies, primary data and secondary data at the research location, then the secondary
data and primary data will be analyzed for estimation into a model block. In processing the required data model
block sizes are as follows:
1. Assay data, is data from laboratory analysis of nickel levels and others.
2. Collar data, is drill hole coordinate and elevation data.
3. Survey data, is total data from the depth of the drill hole.
4. Lithology data, is data from the depth of the drill hole.

.
Figure 1. Flow chart
3. Result
The results of the basic statistical analysis carried out obtained the distribution of data from each domain, the
analysis consisted of the distribution of levels, variance of the average value, standard deviation and coefficient of
variance for each domain, namely:
a. Limonite zone.
The results of statistical analysis in the limonite zone show that the average Ni content is 1.47%, the variance
value is 0.01, the standard deviation is 0.08 and the coefficient of variance is 0.06.

Figure 2. Histogram of Ni grade in limonite zone.

b. Saprolite zone.
The results of basic statistical analysis in the saprolite zone show that the average Ni content is 1.82%, the variance
value is 0.06, the standard deviation is 0.25 and the coefficient of variance is 0.14.
 Figure. 3 Histogram of Ni grade in saprolite zone.

For estimates carried out with the model block size (12.5 × 12.5 × 1 meter) and model block size (3 × 3 × 1 meter),
estimates are carried out in the limonite zone and saprolite zone. The results obtained are:
1. Limonite Zone
From the results obtained in the limonite zone with a model block size of 12.5 meters, there were 2,500 tons
with an average Ni content of 1.39%, 166,000 tons with an average Ni content of 1.45%, and 34,000 tons with
an average Ni content. 1.46%. Furthermore, the block size of the 3 meter model was obtained at 2,736 tons with
an average Ni content of 1.39%, 164,894.40 tons with an average Ni content of 1.45%, and 34,185.60 tons with
an average Ni content of 1.52%. The distribution of Ni levels can be seen in Figure 3 below.

a b

Figure 4. Block dimension model a). 12,5 meter, dan b). 3 meter.

Table 1. Tonase dan kadar zona limonit ukuran blok model 12,5 meter dan 3 meter.

Grade Resources Ni (Limonite) Grade average

(%) Volume (m3) Tonase (ton) (%)

1,30 - 1,40 1.562,50 2.500 1,39

1,40 - 1,50 103.750 166.000 1,45

1,50 - 1,60 21.250 34.000 1,52

Total 126.562,50 202.500 1,46

Grade Resources Ni (Limonite) Grade average

(%) Volume (m3) Tonase (ton) (%)

1,30 - 1,40 1.710 2.736 1,39

1,40 - 1,50 103.059 164.894,40 1,45

1,50 - 1,60 21.336 34.185,60 1,52

Total 126.135 201.816 1,46

2. Saprolite zone.
From the results obtained in the saprolite zone with a model block size of 12.5 meters, there were 41,250 tons
with an average Ni content of 1.48%, 46,406.25 tons with an average Ni content of 1.52%, 69,140.63 tons with
an average content -average Ni 1.58%, 165,937.50 tonnes with an average Ni content of 1.67%, 121,406.25
tonnes with an average Ni content of 1.72% and 2,109.38 tonnes with an average Ni content of 1, 72%.
Furthermore, the block size of the 3 meter model was obtained at 38,367 tons with an average Ni content of
1.48%, 42,012 tons with an average Ni content of 1.56%, 73,804.50 tons with an average Ni content of 1.65%,
162,256, 50 tons with an average Ni content of 1.75%, 124,132.50 tons with an average Ni content of 1.85%
and 4,441.50 tons with an average Ni content of 2.05%. The distribution of Ni levels can be seen in Figure 4
below.
 Figure 5. Block model a). 12,5 meter, dan b). 3 meter.

Table 2. Tonnage and grade limoniet zone (block dimensions 12,5 meter and 3 meter)

Grade Resources Ni (Saprolite) Grade average)

(%) Volume (m3) Tonase (ton) (%)

1,40 - 1,50 27.500 41.250 1,48

1,50 - 1,60 30.937,50 46. 406,25 1,56

1,60 - 1,70 46.093,75 69.140,63 1,65

1,70 - 1,80 110.625 165.937,50 1,75

Grade Resources Ni (Saprolite) Grade average)
1,80 - 2,00 80.937,50 121.406,25 1,85
(%) Volume (m3) Tonase (ton) (%)
2,00 - 2,50 1.406,25 2.109,38 2.02
1,40 - 1,50 25.578 38.367 1,48
Total 297.500 446.250 1,72
1,50 - 1,60 28.008 42.012 1,56

1,60 - 1,70 49.203 73.804.50 1,65

1,70 - 1,80 108.171 162.256,50 1,75

1,80 - 2,00 82.755 124.132,50 1,85

2,00 - 2,50 2.961 4.441,50 2.05

Total 296.676 445.014 1,72

3. Conclusion
The limonite and saprolite zones, estimated using blocks measuring 3 m × 3 m × 1 m, produce blocks where the Ni
content value cannot be estimated. Blocks where the Ni content cannot be estimated will affect the number of blocks
to be estimated. The results of the analysis of Ni content and estimated resource tonnage can be concluded that the
smaller the block size, the more there will be a difference in the tonnage value. The resource estimation results in the
limonite zone with a block size of 12.5 m 202,500 tons and a block size of 3 m is 201,816 tons. For the saprolite
zone with a block size of 12.5 m, it is 446,250 tons, and a block size of 3 m 445,014 tons. To get all blocks filled
with Ni levels, a certain size is required. If the block size is smaller, the possibility of getting blocks that do not have
Ni levels will be greater.

4. Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the Master of Mining Engineering Study Program at UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta for providing
the facilities to complete this research, as well as the exploration team for assisting with this research activity in the
field.

References
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