Ore-Body Knowledge
The Ore-Body Knowledge theme focuses on the integration of geological, mining, metallurgical, environmental and economic information to create geologically-based predictive models for mineral exploitation. These predictive models can then feed into maximizing the value of mineral recovery efforts while minimizing technical and operational risk, energy and water usage and tailings production. In this theme we adopt a rocks-first based definition of geometallurgy that covers the whole of the mining value chain and includes exploration, mining, processing and recovery, waste streams, environmental impacts, economics and social acceptance. Geometallurgy involves understanding a rock’s mineral and geochemical properties and habits to ensure that proper equipment and methodology are used to process the ore successfully. Geometallurgy takes both geological and processing information to create spatially-based (3D) predictive models that are used for mineral processing procedures and mine planning. Geometallurgical programs used to collect geological variability data help to improve knowledge of the ore resource and lower risks during processing of the deposit. The programs provide ore characterization information which is then used to optimize the economic and environmental operations of a mine site.
