Intelligent ore delineation: Integrating geosensing and geographical information systems

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 93, No. 1042, 2000

H.L. Francis, G.R. Baiden, Mines Research, INCO Limited, Copper Cliff, Ontario D.F. Salter, EDIT GIS Inc., Sudbury, Ontario M.J. Scoble, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

Intelligent ore delineation refers to the ability reliably to characterize the geological setting of a mineralized body and its grade distribution. This necessitates using all available geological information in a timely and efficient manner, such that effective geological control is achieved. The importance of geological control is paramount to improving the efficiency and competitiveness of underground mines. As a result, the development of new geosensing tools designed to provide more reliable and timely information should be a priority. However, as the sensing tools advance then so, too, must the decision support system in order to allow the full benefits of these tools to be achieved. One potential system considered able to provide this architecture is Õtrue 3D-GISÕ (Geographical Information System). GIS promises to provide a seamless data flow and to connect information currently unavailable to the underground mine operations by bringing together previously disparate and spatial data sets in a visually effective and timely way. This paper considers the potential revolution GIS offers over

Keywords: Automation, Geosensing tools, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Intelligent ore delineation, Underground mining.