Advances in Geological Resource Calculations, Incorporating New Parameters for Optimal Classification

A fundamental aspect in the evaluation of mining projects is the classification of mineral resources, as it directly influences the definition of mineral reserves and affects both the planning and operational phases of the mine. Traditional methods employed in the industry are based on geometric or geostatistical criteria which, while constituting the fundamental basis of the process, may prove insufficient when applied in isolation to reflect the uncertainty inherent in the databases used for the evaluation of mineral deposits. As discussed throughout the article, this limitation can lead to an incorrect or imprecise assignment of resource categories. This work presents a methodology to integrate variables related to sample quality as an additional criterion in resource classification. This allows for the identification of areas with greater uncertainty and the adjustment of their categories more consistently with data reliability. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through its application to a real case study, complemented by a comprehensive analysis of its implications and results.