Quantifying the Economic Potential of Undiscovered Mineral Resources: A Case Study of Kantishna Hills, Alaska

摘要

The Bureau of Mines and the Alaskan Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS) jointly have developed a methodology to quantitatively assess the potential for undiscovered but economically recoverable minerals within a mineralized terrane or region. This methodology, referred to as ROCKVAL, provides a rigorous procedure for disaggregating the assessment problem into a set of technical judgments that focus on and capture the important geologic, engineering, and economic factors affecting the occurrence and economic viability of mineral resources. The assessments are expressed as probability distributions and directly indicate the limitations in the data base and knowledge of the region. Assuming 1983 prices, the total gross recoverable value of mineral resources in the Kantishna Hills area was estimated to range from $375 million to $1,260 million at the 90% confidence level.