Tag: geology

  • QA/QC of Quality Samples in Mining and Their Application in Surpac

    QA/QC of Quality Samples in Mining and Their Application in Surpac

    QA/QC stands for Quality Assurance and Quality Control, which are essential practices in mining for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of data collected from quality samples, such as drill cores or blast hole samples. These processes ensure the data used for resource estimation and mine planning is valid, consistent, and meets required standards. In this chapter we will learn about QA/QC of samples in mining and their application in surpac application.

    What is QA/QC?

    1. Quality Assurance (QA):
      • Focus: Preventing errors by creating robust procedures and guidelines.
      • How: Setting protocols for sampling, data collection, and data validation.
      • Example: Ensuring proper drilling techniques, consistent sampling intervals, and the use of certified laboratories.
    2. Quality Control (QC):
      • Focus: Detecting and correcting errors in the data.
      • How: Conducting tests, comparisons, and validations on the samples and their analyses.
      • Example: Including duplicate samples, blanks, and certified reference materials (CRMs) during analysis.

    Why is QA/QC Important in Mining?

    • Accurate Resource Estimation: Ensures the deposit is correctly modeled.
    • Regulatory Compliance: Satisfies reporting standards like JORC or NI 43-101.
    • Risk Mitigation: Reduces the risk of poor mine planning due to unreliable data.
    • Cost Efficiency: Prevents costly errors by ensuring only quality data is used.

    Steps in QA/QC of Quality Samples

    1. Sample Collection:
      • Collect drill core or rock samples following standard procedures to ensure representativeness.
      • Avoid contamination during collection.
    2. Sample Preparation:
      • Prepare samples (crushing, splitting) while maintaining consistency and preventing sample loss.
    3. QA Protocols:
      • Define standards for handling and testing samples, such as:
        • Inclusion of duplicates (to check repeatability).
        • Use of blanks (to detect contamination).
        • Insertion of CRMs (to check lab accuracy).
    4. QC Checks:
      • Analyze the results to verify:
        • No bias in the assay results.
        • Accuracy of grades within acceptable error limits.
      • Use statistical methods, such as scatter plots and regression analysis.
    5. Data Validation:
      • Validate the results against expected patterns or historical data.
      • Identify outliers or inconsistent results.

    Application of QA/QC in Surpac

    GEOVIA Surpac is widely used for geological modeling and resource estimation. QA/QC plays a significant role in ensuring reliable input data. Here’s how QA/QC integrates into Surpac:

    1. Importing and Validating Data:

    • Import assay and geological data into Surpac.
    • Use validation tools to:
      • Check for missing data or errors.
      • Identify outliers in assay results.
    • Example: Validate sample coordinates to ensure they match drill hole locations.

    2. Data Analysis:

    • Check for Accuracy:
      • Generate scatter plots of duplicates to analyze repeatability.
      • Identify trends or deviations in QA/QC samples (e.g., blanks or CRMs).
    • Use Surpac’s reporting tools to generate statistical summaries.

    3. Handling QA/QC Samples:

    • Blanks: Ensure low or zero-grade assays for blanks to confirm no contamination.
    • Duplicates: Compare original and duplicate assays using:
      • Absolute Difference (%).
      • Coefficient of Variation (CV).
    • CRMs: Verify that certified reference materials fall within acceptable grade ranges.

    4. 3D Visualization:

    • Visualize QA/QC results spatially in 3D:
      • Example: Plot QA/QC samples along drill holes to identify problem zones.
    • Highlight sections where data quality may be compromised (e.g., outliers).

    5. Statistical Analysis for Resource Estimation:

    • Apply QA/QC filters:
      • Use only validated data for grade interpolation or block modeling.
      • Exclude suspect or invalid data.
    • Generate histograms, probability plots, and statistical summaries of QA/QC data to ensure data integrity.

    6. Reporting:

    • Surpac can generate QA/QC reports for regulatory compliance and internal audits.
    • Include graphs, tables, and spatial plots of QA/QC data.

    Step-by-Step Example in Surpac:

    1. Import Data:
      • Go to File > Import Data and load your sample data (e.g., drill hole assays).
    2. Validation:
      • Open Drillhole Database > Validate.
      • Check for:
        • Missing assays.
        • Overlapping intervals.
        • Invalid coordinates.
    3. QA/QC Analysis:
      • Plot duplicates:
        • Use the Scatter Plot tool to compare original vs. duplicate assays.
      • Analyze blanks:
        • Filter blank samples and plot results to ensure no contamination.
      • Verify CRMs:
        • Compare CRM results against certified values.
    4. Data Correction:
      • Identify and remove outliers using Surpac’s data editor.
    5. Visualization:
      • Use 3D Viewer to display QA/QC data alongside drill hole traces.
      • Color-code samples based on QA/QC categories (e.g., valid, suspect, invalid).
    6. Generate Reports:
      • Use Output > Generate Reports to document QA/QC results.

    Understanding QA/QC of Quality Samples in Mining and Their Application in Surpac With A Simple Example

    Imagine you’re baking cookies:

    1. You taste some dough to ensure it’s sweet (QA).
    2. While baking, you check a few cookies from each batch to ensure they’re properly cooked (QC).
      In mining, QA/QC ensures the “dough” (sample data) used to “bake” (model) the deposit is accurate and reliable

  • Know Everything About The GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst Role

    Know Everything About The GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst Role

    The GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst is a tool designed to help geologists understand the underground structures and patterns in rock formations. Imagine it as a powerful “detective” that looks for clues about how the ground has shifted, cracked, or bent over millions of years. This tool is especially helpful in mining and geology because it helps people find valuable resources like metals and minerals. Here’s a simple way to understand what the Structural Geology Analyst does and why it matters.

    What Does GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst Do?

    1. Studies Rock Movements and Patterns:
      • The earth’s crust is always moving due to forces like earthquakes and tectonic plate shifts, causing rocks underground to bend, crack, and shift.
      • GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst helps identify these changes, showing patterns in how the earth’s layers have moved and where different rock types are located.
    2. Identifies Faults and Folds:
      • A fault is like a giant crack in the earth where rocks have moved past each other. Think of it like a broken plate: the pieces are the same material but are now in different positions.
      • A fold is when rock layers bend due to pressure. Imagine a layer of dough that you squish together, causing it to wrinkle. Folds are these wrinkled parts.
      • The Structural Geology Analyst maps these faults and folds, making it clear where these shifts and bends happen underground.
    3. Maps Rock Layers and Structures in 3D:
      • Instead of just looking at one layer, the Structural Geology Analyst creates a 3D model that shows how rock layers and structures go deep underground.
      • This 3D model helps geologists see the big picture, showing where faults, folds, and different rock types are located. It’s like looking at a layered cake to understand what’s inside before you cut into it.
    4. Analyzes Mineral Deposits and Locations:
      • Many valuable resources, like gold or copper, are often found around faults and folds. This is because the shifting and cracking of the earth often trap minerals in these areas.
      • GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst helps geologists see where these resources are likely concentrated, allowing them to locate the best places to drill or mine.

    Why GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst is Important

    1. Helps Geologists Find Valuable Minerals:
      • By understanding the structure of the rocks, geologists can better predict where valuable resources are hidden. This saves time and money by focusing mining efforts in the right spots.
    2. Improves Safety:
      • Knowing where faults and folds are located can help prevent dangerous situations. If a fault is nearby, mining engineers might change their plans to avoid triggering landslides or collapses.
    3. Makes Mine Planning More Accurate:
      • With this tool, geologists can create detailed maps that guide where to dig, where to avoid, and how deep to go. This makes mining more efficient and reduces the chance of running into unexpected challenges underground.

    How the Structural Geology Analyst Works (Step-by-Step)

    1. Data Collection:
      • First, geologists gather data from the site using methods like drill samples, seismic surveys (like sound waves that bounce back to reveal rock types), and field studies. These methods provide clues about what’s below the surface.
    2. Building the Model:
      • GEOVIA takes this data and builds a 3D model of the underground structures, showing rock layers, faults, and folds. It’s like turning clues from a crime scene into a map of what happened.
    3. Analyzing Patterns:
      • The software analyzes how the rocks are positioned and where the faults and folds are located, then displays patterns that can help geologists understand the history of the area’s geology.
    4. Highlighting Potential Resource Zones:
      • Finally, GEOVIA marks areas where valuable minerals are likely to be based on the structural features identified, like faults and folds. This shows geologists the “hot spots” where they should focus their efforts.

    In Short

    The GEOVIA Structural Geology Analyst is like a high-tech x-ray for the earth. It helps geologists “see” what’s happening under the surface, showing where rocks have moved or cracked and where valuable resources might be located. By understanding these underground patterns, mining teams can plan safer, more efficient, and more successful mining operations