Enhancing Resource Estimation at a Gold-Antimony Deposit
- Mining Plus
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
Mining Plus was engaged to provide Qualified Persons (QPs) for a comprehensive review and certification of the technical report for a gold-antimony deposit in Eastern Australia. The project involved validating geological data, estimating Mineral Reserves, and updating the mine plan to ensure compliance with industry standards, including NI 43-101 and CIM.
The project presented various challenges due to the narrow, sub-50 cm gold-antimony veins. These required highly accurate resource estimation methods to ensure the mining process was economically viable.
The conversion of resources from inferred to indicated categories also required precision to support long-term planning. The underground mining environment and narrow vein deposits demanded meticulous mine planning and strict cost controls. Another key challenge was ensuring the Brunswick Processing Plant could efficiently process ores over the Life of Mine (LoM) while maintaining high metallurgical recovery. Additionally, refining the exploration and production process to maximise output and minimise depletion rates was necessary for success.
Mining Plus employed a detailed approach to validating the geological data using the acQuire™ GIM system.
A 2D accumulation estimation method with ordinary kriging interpolation was implemented to match the narrow vein structure of the deposit. Long-hole stoping with cemented rock fill was recommended for optimal extraction to improve selectivity and control dilution. Mining Plus also introduced Net Smelter Return (NSR) analysis to enhance operational flexibility and identify high-value material. Additionally, the updated resource estimates factored in improved processing recovery algorithms, ensuring the best utilisation of the available resources.
The work completed by Mining Plus led to a 57,000-ounce net increase in Proven and Probable gold reserves and significantly minimised antimony reserve depletion to just 2,200 tonnes following 36.3 km of exploration drilling.
The refined resource estimation model provided a strong foundation for future production planning, with results confirming excellent alignment between production data and the block model. Updated metallurgical recovery projections and NSR-driven planning laid the groundwork for further productivity gains. By efficiently managing costs and operational constraints, the project is now poised to enhance profitability, improve resource conversion rates, and drive overall project economics.
