A Methodology for Calculating Tonnage Uncertainty in Vein-Type Deposits

• Author / Creator

  Munroe, Michael J

• One of the main sources of uncertainty in vein type deposits is found in the calculation of the tonnage. The boundary limits often applied to a vein type deposit are calculated from sparse data using deterministic methods that offer no measure of uncertainty. The most common method used to calculate the tonnage of a vein-type deposit is to convert the volume of the deposit defined by a wireframe model into a tonnage. Wireframe models are deterministic, created from the interpretation of level plans and cross sections. These types of models have no provision for the calculation of tonnage uncertainty. One method of calculating the tonnage uncertainty in vein deposits is through the use of a distance function. This thesis presents a distance function (DF) approach that allows for the introduction of uncertainty into the modeling process by defining a zone or bandwidth that is quantifiable.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Distance function
  • Tonnage volume uncertainty
  • Vein-type deposit
  • Boundary modeling

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3MQ3T

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.