The Importance of Integrating Geological Mapping Information with Validated Assay Data for Generating Accurate Geological Wireframes in Orebody Modelling of Mineral Deposit in Mineral Resource Estimation: A Case Study in AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine

Abstract

The basis of accurate mineral resource estimates is to have a geological model which replicates the nature and style of the orebody. Key inputs into the generation of a good geological model are the sample data and mapping information. The Obuasi Mine sample data with a lot of legacy issues w ere subjected to a robust validation process and integrated with mapping information to generate an accurate geological orebody model for mineral resource estimation in Block 8 Lower. Validation of the sample data focused on replacing missing collar coordinates, missing assays, and correcting magnetic declination that was used to convert the downhole surveys from true to magnetic, fix missing lithology and finally assign confidence numbers to all the sample data. The missing coordinates which were replaced ensured that the sample data plotted at their correct location in space as intended from the planning stage. Magnetic declination data , which was maintained constant throughout all the years even though it changes every year, was also corrected in the validation project. The corrected magnetic declination ensured that the drillholes were plotted on their accurate trajectory as per the planned azimuth and also reflected the true position of the intercepted mineralized f issure(s) which was previously not the case and marked a major blot in the modelling of the Obuasi orebody. The incorporation of mapped data with the validated sample data in the wireframes resulted in a better interpretation of the orebody. The updated mineral resource generated by domaining quartz from the sulphides and compar ed with the old resource showed that the sulphide tonnes in the old resource estimates were overestimated by 1% and the grade overestimated by 8.5%.