Optimum Block Size Determination in Kushk Lead and Zinc Ore Deposit Evaluation Using Simulation and Indicator Kriging Methods

In this research, the optimum block size determination method and its influence on reserve estimation were investigated. For this purpose, the Kushk lead and zinc deposit data were used as case study. The database was built using borehole data and the composite samples were prepared with a 2m length. The data was transformed to Gaussian distribution by normal score transformation method. Variography was used for identification of variability and continuity of the ore, and the best variogram models and anisotropy ellipsoids were fitted. Due to ore complexity and density of boreholes in open pit and undergrounds, indicator kriging method was used for orebody modeling and ore-waste boundary determination. Considering different block size, the lead and zinc grade variability was modeled by sequential Gaussian simulation method. In each block size simulation, 20 realizations were determined and the variances between realizations were calculated. The lower variance is accordance with more similarity of realizations which was selected as a criterion of optimum block size determination. With this method, the optimum block size of Kushk deposit was determined as 10x10x7.5 m. The optimum block size is relatively accordance with the anisotropy ratio at the deposit, therefore it was chosen as suitable block size for reserve estimation of the deposit. By this optimum block size, and considering a 3% cut off grade for sum of lead and zinc, the reserve of the deposit was calculated about 39.12 million tons.