Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 4.2
Initial estimation domains
Estimatoin
Domain
Mineralization
Lithology
Alteration
Structural
Domain
Comments
0
Leach
ALL
ALL
ALL
Mostly barren.
1
Oxides
ALL
ALL
ALL
Defined by
Interpreted Oxide
Envelope
Cuprite
ALL
ALL
ALL
Cannot be
processed, mined as
waste regardless of
grade
2
3
Partial Leach
ALL
ALL
ALL
Small bodies,
difficult to model
Mixed
ALL
ALL
ALL
Small bodies,
difficult to model
4
5
ALL
Rhyolites
ALL
ALL
Eastern edge of the
deposit, low grade,
little development in
the near future.
6
Cc+Py; Cc+Cv+Py
ALL
QSA
1+4
High
Enrichment
7
Cc+Py; Cc+Cv+Py
ALL
SCC
1+4
High
Enrichment
8
Cc+Py; Cc+Cv+Py
ALL
QSA
3
High
Enrichment
9
Cc+Py; Cc+Cv+Py
ALL
SCC
3
High
Enrichment
10
Cc+Cpy+Py; Cv+Py
Cc+Cv+Cpy+Py;
Cv+Cpy+Py
ALL
QSA
1+4
Low
Enrichment
11
Cc+Cpy+Py; Cv+Py
Cc+Cv+Cpy+Py;
Cv+Cpy+Py
ALL
SCC
1+4
Low
Enrichment
12
Cc+Cpy+Py; Cv+Py
Cc+Cv+Cpy+Py;
Cv+Cpy+Py)
ALL
QSA
3
Low
Enrichment
13
Cc+Cpy+Py; Cv+Py
Cc+Cv+Cpy+Py;
Cv+Cpy+Py
ALL
SCC
3
Low
Enrichment
14
Cpy+Py; Py;
Bn+Cpy+Py
Porphyries
+ Breccias
K+B
1+4+2
Primary
Cpy+Py; Py;
Bn+Cpy+Py
Andesites
K+B
1+4+2
Primary
15
Cpy+Py; Py;
Bn+Cpy+Py
Porphyries
+ Breccias
K+B
3
Primary
16
17
Cpy+Py; Py;
Bn+Cpy+Py
Andesites
K+B
3
Primary
18
Cc+Py; Cc+Cv+Py
ALL
ALL
2
High
Enrichment
19
Cc+Cpy+Py; Cv+Py
Cc+Cv+Cpy+Py;
Cv+Cpy+Py
ALL
ALL
2
Low
Enrichment
Table
4.2
shows the 20 initial estimation domains defined.
The initial six estimation domains are defined based on min-
eralization alone, and is due to two factors: as these are all
non-sulfide units (with the exception of Partial Leach), their
economic importance is minor if compared to the supergene
sulfide mineralization. Also, the spatial distribution of these
mineralization units, with the exception of the leached cap,
is complex and difficult to model. Typical sizes of oxide and
mixed bodies are at best approximately equal to the better
drilling spacing available (50-70 m of lateral extension).
Subdividing these small domains even further is likely to re-
sult in poor grade estimates.
It was found that within the supergene enrichment zone the
lithological control is redundant with alteration. Lithology is an
important control for mineralization types, but in the supergene
areas alteration overprints and obliterates the Lithologic control.
