Application of geometrization to estimate mineral deposit reserves

Abstract The article discusses aspects of geometrization of mineral deposits. Particular attention is paid to the geometrization of mineral reserves. Various geometrization methods allow one to obtain ambiguous results, depending on the geological structure and spatial location of mineral deposits. Various options for estimating mineral reserves are considered and the method for optimal estimate is described. The method makes it possible to estimate reserves of mineral deposits of a complex configuration, find the most probable strike line of such deposits and clarify their contour. The method is based on choosing the optimal direction of vertical cross-sections and the distance between them. The influence of the shape of a mineral deposit on the accuracy and completeness of reserve estimate was considered. The experiments were carried out theoretically and practically in various mining and geological conditions. A more accurate estimate of mineral reserves is made using geostatistical and heuristic methods developed by the authors of the study. The described methodology for geometrization and estimate of mineral reserves was applied at mining enterprises in Ukraine and gave effective and accurate results. This made it possible to increase the efficiency of mining planning and the rationality of the mining enterprise.