Our services

GeoInnova offers services and special studies in mining resources and reserves, focusing on adhoc solutions to our clients' problems. Pioneering and highly complex studies are carried out, using industry standard software such as Vulcan, Isatis, Leapfrog or own developments to respond to the concerns of our customers.
Exploratory Data Analysis
It corresponds to a fundamental stage in the estimation of resources, where the geological attributes that exert control over the distributions of mineral grades are determined.At this stage include at least analyses such as: basic, multivariate statistics, principal component analysis, spatial trends (drifts), distributions of laws (histograms) among others. GeoInnova extends the exploratory analysis considering aspects such as:

  • Contact analysis, study of mineral grade transitions around the contact of two or more units
  • Analysis of distributions of contiguous sections and atomizability level of geological units
  • Quantification of contact relationships between geological units based on drilling / holes
  • Quantification of contact relationships between geological units in block model
  • Connectivity level analysis according to geological unit in block model
  • Quantification of surface/volume ratios of bodies for dilution studies

GeoInnova seeks to exploit to the maximum the available geological information, delivering a complete picture of the behavior of the deposit and facilitating decision-making related to geological modeling and resource estimation.

Geological modeling
GeoInnova understands geological modeling as the foundations of resource estimation, articulating the service around 3 main axes

  • Have a geological and genetic conceptualization of the deposit according to the knowledge and information available
  • Define traceable and reproducible estimation units that maximize the predictability of estimated resources
  • Generation of 3D operational geological models, spatially consistent with available information and geological conceptualization

For the generation of geological models, GeoInnova uses the following approaches: Traditional geological modeling: corresponding to the interpretation in plants and sections of geological units for the construction of solids or 3D wireframes . Probabilistic modeling: seeks to obtain the probability of occurrence of each UG in the unsampled sites, using methods such as: cokriging of indicators, Gaussian kriging truncated. Stochastic modeling of geological units: Its objective is to generate numerous possible scenarios of the spatial distribution of geological units, using methods such as: sequential simulation of indicators, multi-Gaussian simulation, simulation by multi-point statistics, It allows to evaluate transfer functions related to the spatial variability of the units. In addition, from these approaches Geoinnova uses an interactive methodology between traditional and probabilistic methods to benefit from both techniques.

Resource estimation
GeoInnova makes resource estimates under international industry standards, focusing on critical business factors. Each estimate made is validated using common industry procedures and standards. Resource estimation is a fundamental aspect of the mining business, which is why GeoInnova spends time analyzing each deposit in depth in order to select the appropriate estimation scheme. The resource estimation process is carried out in a traceable and reproducible manner. Some of the estimation techniques used by geoinnova are the following:

  • inverse of distance
  • Moving average
  • ordinary kriging
  • Indicator Kriging
  • Cokriging of laws
Resource Classification (JORC)
GeoInnova seeks to design a classification scheme in accordance with international codes, which effectively reflects confidence in mineral resources, considering the nature of the deposit as well as the project in which it is framed. The estimated resources must be classified according to their level of confidence, the methods usually used correspond to:
  • Geometric criteria and information density
  • Geostatistical criteria, kriging variance, regression slope, kriging variance equivalent mesh

GeoInnova, in addition to using the usual practices, has a resource categorization methodology based on the use of conditional simulations, which considers the following aspects:

  • objective risk function
  • Possible estimation errors
  • Uncertainty in mineral resources (grades and geological units)
  • Change of support, considering production volumes
  • Data quality

GeoInnova has competent people from the Qualifying Commission of Competencies in Mineral Resources and Reserves of Chile.

Geometallurgical modeling
It corresponds to the spatial modeling of GMM attributes which impact and condition the performance of metallurgical processes. Attributes typically considered are:

  • Metallurgical recovery and/or extraction
  • breakability
  • Hardness (work index)
  • acid consumption
  • feed mineralogy
  • Leaching or bioleaching test (soluble ferric copper)

GeoInnova has as a practice and recommends a local estimate the use of simple, massive, and low-cost tests that correlate with complex, scarce, and expensive metallurgical tests, in order to coregionalize a local estimate through cokriging, which allows it to be incorporated into mining planning. .

Calculation of mining reserves
Mineral reserves are the economically extractable portion of the measured or indicated resource which includes geological, metallurgical, geotechnical, environmental, social and governmental factors. The calculation of reserves seeks to deliver the economic potential that mining resources may have, giving rise to mining designs that support the mining plan from which the cash flow of the project is calculated.
  • Analysis of mining exploitation methods
  • Mining designs for exploitation
  • Economic and technical analysis of the different exploitation methods under study
Risk analysis in resources and reserves
GeoInnova provides this service with the objective of delivering uncertainty measurements to our clients for decision-making in relation to gravitating factors of the mining business. The methodology consists of generating multiple scenarios of what the deposit could be considering the joint spatial variability of geological units and mineral grades. With these scenarios it is possible to evaluate transfer functions, such as the variability in the feeding to the plant, determination of sectors with a high probability of making errors, given the current estimate, among many others.

 

Joint reviews | Audit preparation
GeoInnova provides the resource and reserve review service focusing on critical business factors, working closely with the client. We seek to deliver a timely and clear diagnosis of the aspects to improve as well as potential solutions to them. We hope that the joint review will be a beneficial experience for our clients and add value to their mining projects.
special studies
Drilling campaign design
GeoInnova provides advice on the design of campaigns by being able to identify the sectors where there is greater uncertainty, in order to optimize the drilling campaign.

mine to mill
The characterization of the hardness of the rock impacts the treatment capacity and with it the direct income of a project or mine. Work Index tests, Starkey tests, Uniaxial Compression (UCS) geotechnical tests, and other data could be studied in order to coregionalize hardness in the deposit.

Error analysis in resource estimation
Using conditional simulations, it is possible to analyze the spatial distribution of the possible errors of the current estimation model, in order to identify areas of high probability of error.

Geological dilution and selectivity and mining analysis
With this type of study it is possible to quantify the potential impact of the geometry, level of connectivity and continuity of geological bodies in mining planning and geometallurgical problems (recovery, extraction, etc.)

Resource estimation using variable anisotropies
Geoinnova Consultores makes estimates incorporating the structural behavior of the deposits in an integral manner in all aspects that cover the area of geological modeling and resource estimation.

The works carried out consist of review and modeling of structural trains that control the different mineralizations of the deposit with the data, later, a local field of preferential directions of continuity is developed, in this way the estimates will follow the local patterns of continuity of the deposit. The results of these works allow the deposits to operate with reconciliations and mining planning with low error, since the incorporation of the structures brings the results closer to the geological reality of the deposit.

Optimal drill mesh spacing to achieve reconciliation error
Geoinnova has developed an approach that characterizes the estimation error locally. In this way, it is possible to cover the different needs of drilling samples for the deposit sectors, which implies an efficiency in the resources invested in the drilling campaigns.
Retroconciliation of short and medium term models
Geoinnova has carried out short- and medium-term model automation, which includes a user interface based on well and drilling information. The purpose of this retroconciliation is to integrate all the deposit information, model updating and generation of a daily control model that allows the information to be incorporated and updated in a timely manner.
Geotechnical parameter modeling
GeoInnova Consultores carries out studies of geotechnical parameters of deposits (RQD, GSI, etc.) where relationships are sought between these and other variables of the deposit, and in this way have local integrations that allow modeling the geotechnics of deposits in a more efficient.
Due Diligence and Valuation of Mining Assets
GeoInnova has participated with different clients in Due Diligence processes and valuation of mining assets for sale. In addition to other studies that seek to elucidate the maximum potential of different mining assets. One of the success stories was the acquisition of the 50% of the Mt Holland project by SQM.
Development of technological solutions to geo-mining-metallurgical problems
Since its creation, the GeoInnova R&D Center has participated in the development and implementation of various technological solutions on the mining business chain. For more details about our development projects, access Projects
Training

At GeoInnova we teach introductory or specialized courses to the entire mining industry community with the aim of helping to enhance their technical skills. For more information write to us at capacitaciones@geoinnova.cl.

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