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    Ore Reserve Categorization

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    Sharon Ngullie
    This document discusses conventional classification systems for mineral reserves and resources. It describes 5 categories from highest to lowest confidence: 1) Developed, 2) Proved, 3) Probable, 4) Other Ore, and 5) Possible. Developed reserves have the highest confidence of around 90% as they are exposed on all sides by extensive drilling and sampling. Proved reserves have a confidence of 80% based on wide sampling, while Probable reserves have a 70% confidence based on more spaced sampling and drilling. Possible resources have the lowest confidence of 50% based on scattered samples within a broad geological framework. The classification system helps investors evaluate projects at different stages.

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    Ore Reserve Categorization

    Uploaded by

    Sharon Ngullie
    34 views2 pages
    This document discusses conventional classification systems for mineral reserves and resources. It describes 5 categories from highest to lowest confidence: 1) Developed, 2) Proved, 3) Probable, 4) Other Ore, and 5) Possible. Developed reserves have the highest confidence of around 90% as they are exposed on all sides by extensive drilling and sampling. Proved reserves have a confidence of 80% based on wide sampling, while Probable reserves have a 70% confidence based on more spaced sampling and drilling. Possible resources have the lowest confidence of 50% based on scattered samples within a broad geological framework. The classification system helps investors evaluate projects at different stages.

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    ore reserve categorization

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    This document discusses conventional classification systems for mineral reserves and resources. It describes 5 categories from highest to lowest confidence: 1) Developed, 2) Proved, 3) Probable, 4) Other Ore, and 5) Possible. Developed reserves have the highest confidence of around 90% as they are exposed on all sides by extensive drilling and sampling. Proved reserves have a confidence of 80% based on wide sampling, while Probable reserves have a 70% confidence based on more spaced sampling and drilling. Possible resources have the lowest confidence of 50% based on scattered samples within a broad geological framework. The classification system helps investors evaluate projects at different stages.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    34 views2 pages

    Ore Reserve Categorization

    Uploaded by

    Sharon Ngullie
    This document discusses conventional classification systems for mineral reserves and resources. It describes 5 categories from highest to lowest confidence: 1) Developed, 2) Proved, 3) Probable, 4) Other Ore, and 5) Possible. Developed reserves have the highest confidence of around 90% as they are exposed on all sides by extensive drilling and sampling. Proved reserves have a confidence of 80% based on wide sampling, while Probable reserves have a 70% confidence based on more spaced sampling and drilling. Possible resources have the lowest confidence of 50% based on scattered samples within a broad geological framework. The classification system helps investors evaluate projects at different stages.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    8.4.

    1 Conventional Classification
    The degree of assurance in estimates of tonnage and grade can subjectively be classified by using
    convenient terminology. Increasing geological exploration creates high confidence levels and
    technoeconomic viability. Categorization has broadly been grouped as economic reserves and
    subeconomic conditional resources. The economic ore reserves and subeconomic resources are
    further subdivided as Developed, Proved, Probable, and Possible (Fig. 8.14). The classification system
    helps the investor in decision making for project formulation and activities required at different
    stages. These terms are supported by experience, and have been time tested and well accepted over
    the years. The terminology is comparable with equivalent international jargon that is used by USGS or
    Russian systems such as Measured, Indicated, and Inferred. The conventional or traditional
    reserve/resource classification scheme includes five components based on decreasing
    geological/exploration information: Developed, Proved, Probable, Other ore,
    and Possible.

    8.4.1.1 Developed
    Developed or Positive or Blocked reserves attain the highest category and are parts of the orebody
    that have been exposed from all four directions, i.e., top, bottom,
    and both sides. Top surface exposure can be unearthed by trenches or trial pits on the surface for
    open pit mines or bounded on all sides by levels above and below, and raises and winzes on the sides
    of the block for underground mines. With definition or delineation drilling between
    30 and 15 m intervals completed, all sides are sampled. The block is ready for stope preparation, blast
    hole drilling, blasting, and ore draw. Draw point sampling is initiated to assign stope production
    grade, blending ratio for the stock pile, reconciliation with respect to additional dilution, and
    estimation of errors. The risk of error in tonnage and grade is minimum with confidence of estimate
    at around 90%.

    8.4.1.2 Proved
    Proved or Measured reserves are estimated based on samples from outcrops, trenches, development
    levels, and diamond drilling. The drilling interval is 200 m or even 400 m for simple sedimentary
    bedded deposits (coal seam, lignite, bauxite, and iron ore) with expected continuity along the strike
    and dip, other than structural dislocation. The sample interval is 50 m by 50 m for base metal
    deposits. The deposit is either exposed by trenches or trial pit for open pit mines, and by development
    of one or two levels for underground drilling. Stope delineation drilling and sampling will continue to
    upgrade the category to developed reserves. The confidence of estimate is about 80%.

    8.4.1.3 Probable
    The Probable or Indicated ore reserve estimate is essentially based on wide-spaced sampling
    and surface and underground drilling between 100 and 400 m intervals depending on the
    complexity of the mineralization. The opening of the deposits by trial pit or underground levels
    is not mandatory to arrive at this category. The confidence estimate is about 70%. The sum
    total of Developed, Proved, and Probable ore reserves is termed the Demonstrated category.
    The reserve of a project under investment decision should contain about 60% in the
    Demonstrated category.

    8.4.1.4 Other Ore


    A part of the ore reserve is blocked in sill, crown, and rib pillars for stability of the ground
    during mining operation and related impacts (Fig. 8.1). This blocked reserve is
    designated as other ore, and monitored as the Proved category. The reserve is elevated to
    Developed category as and when the other ore is likely to be recovered after completion of the
    nearby stoping blocks.

    8.4.1.5 Possible
    Possible or Inferred mineral resources are based on a few scattered samples of information in the
    strike and dip extension of the mineral deposit. There is sufficient evidence of mineralized
    environment within a broad geological framework having a confidence of about 50%. The
    possible resource will act as a sustainable replacement of mined-out ore reserves.

    FIGURE 8.14 Conventional reserve classification systems showing various categories of reserve
    and resources based on enriched geological
    experienceda good option for small players in the mining industry.

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