21 - Underground grade control and sampling

Underground grade control is different from open pit grade control and to take you through the depths of their experiences, Optiro's Director of Geology Ian Glacken and geometallurgist Simon Dominy discuss the topic, covering techniques and methods.

In this episode:

1:00 How is underground grade control different to open pit? 1:47 How does the mining methods used in underground mining affect the way you'd do grade control? 2:53 Do we need to use a wider range of techniques for underground grade control than in open pit? 3:43 Is face sampling, channel sampling or chip sampling, a waste of time? 6:10 How can understanding the geology contribute to better underground grade control technique? 9:21 Where could people go next to learn more about underground mine grade control and sampling?

For more information:

• Contact Ian Glacken - Optiro Director of Geology: iglacken@optiro.com
• Contact Simon Dominy - s.dominy@e3geomet.com
• Optiro website

Links:

• Dominy, S.C., Glass, H.J., O’Connor, L., Lam, C.K., Purevgerel, S. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2018. Integrating the Theory of Sampling into underground mine grade control strategies. Minerals, 8(232)
• Dominy, S.C., Glass, H.J., O’Connor, L., Lam, C.K. and Purevgerel, S. 2019. Integrating the Theory of Sampling into underground mine grade control strategies: case studies from gold operations. Minerals, 9(238)
• Dominy, S.C., Platten, I.M., Xie, Y. and Minnitt, R.C.A. 2011. Underground grade control protocol design: case study from the Liphichi gold project, Larecaja, Bolivia. App. Earth Sci., 119, 205-219