Title: Application of an inverse distance weighted anisotropic method (IDWAM) to estimate elemental distribution in Eastern Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit, Central Iran

Authors: Amir Bijan Yasrebi; Peyman Afzal; Andrew Wetherelt; Patrick Foster; Nasser Madani; Akbar Javadi

Addresses: Computational Geomechanics Group, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QF, UK ' Department of Mining Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 4435/11365, Iran ' Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK ' Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK ' Department of Mining Engineering, University of Chile, Santiago, 8370448, Chile ' Computational Geomechanics Group, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Streatham Campus, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QF, UK

Abstract: Estimation of elemental distribution with low value of error is essential for block modelling based on subsurface data. This paper proposes an application of inverse distance weighted anisotropic method (IDWAM) based on combined variograms to generate block models in Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit, Central Iran. To do this, cell declustering for dataset with respect to Cu concentrations as the main target in this deposit was conducted in order to validate the chosen voxel dimension. Moreover, 'Variogram Maps' have been created to find out if there are any anisotropic characteristics within the deposit. Finally, correlation between results for Cu estimated, achieved from the proposed estimator and raw data were carried out using optical verification and jackknife. The results obtained by the combination of IDWAM and experimental variograms showed that the enriched elemental concentrations for Cu and Mo are associated with the central, NE and NW parts of the area.

Keywords: block modelling; inverse distance weighted anisotropic method; IDWAM; combined variograms; cu-mo porphyry deposits; copper; molybdenum; Iran.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2016.079995

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2016 Vol.7 No.4, pp.340 - 362

Received: 27 Nov 2015
Accepted: 14 May 2016

Published online: 26 Oct 2016 *

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