Learning from Simulation at Boddington Gold Mine

摘要

Various methods and software have been trialled for simulation of Au grades at Boddington Mine.rnThis covers in-house and public software as well as sequential and turning bands methods. Therndiversity of options was further expanded with comparison of point and direct block simulation.rnSome diffi culties were encountered in incorporating high-grade restrictions. Altering parameters orrnsoftware can make very signifi cant differences and give results varying from estimations. This paperrndetails a new simulation run with validation and tests for local calibration (or progressive correction)rnof the simulations to the estimations, focusing on reproduction of statistics. This approach brings tornthe forefront the question ‘what is the purpose of the simulations?’ Results and some ideas for futurernapplications at Boddington are summarised.