Application of spatial geological modeling to assess the mineral resources of the udokanskoye copper deposit, Chita Region
Authors:   Institute of Problems of Integrated Development of Mineral Resources named after Academician N.V. Melnikov of the Russian Federation Academy of Sciences, Basargin Andrey , Satsiuk Alexander ,   Donetsk Institute of Railway Transport, Chedzhemov Sergey ,   North Caucasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (State Technological University)
Published: January 2025

Introduction. The main goal of this study is to integrate geostatistical interpolation methods with a variety of geological and geophysical information to determine 3D-spatial and temporal relationships and cause - and - effect processes between ore bodies, altered rocks, metallogenic layers, and intrusive rocks. Materials and methods. The article present geostatistical methods used to create spatial models of porphyry copper deposits. These models include a variety of geological information about mineralization in the study region, such as geological, geophysical, geochemical, well and section data. Using this data, three - dimensional metallogenic geological objects were constructed that describe the distribution of mineralization in the rock mass. Results. The modelling results showed that the digital deposit model allows for accurate determination of copper grades for multiple ore bodies and the identification of continuous variations in copper grade within a single ore body. Discussion. It is known that many authors show great interest in the extraction and processing of spatiotemporal data. This also applies to geological and structural modeling of mineral deposits. However, these works do not cover, or do not cover in sufficient detail, the features of modeling complex geological systems at a high level of abstraction, without taking into account small details. In this article, the authors developed a methodology that is designed to study data on a mineral deposit, analyze anomalies and optimally display interpolation surfaces, as well as the uncertainties associated with them. In addition, this methodology allows for a more in - depth and detailed analysis of quantitative and qualitative characteristics based on a digital model of the deposit. The methodology for creating digital models of deposits based on geostatistical analysis methods can find wide application in forecasting the development of the deposit as a whole. Conclusions. Based on the study, a spatial relational database was obtained containing geological information about mineralization in the study area of the Udokanskoye deposit. 3D-models of metallogenic geological objects were built, including mineralization sequence, granodiorite, hydrothermal rocks and magnetic anomaly, which can be used to predict and identify potential mineralization targets. Resume. The modelling results showed that the digital deposit model allows for accurate determination of copper grades for multiple ore bodies and the identification of continuous variations in copper grade within a single ore body. Suggestions for practical applications and directions for future research. Further development of this method is possible due to the analysis of the work of a group of deposits, i.e. the assessment of indicators will be carried out for a separate deposit with subsequent aggregation of the studied processes using Markov chains and multi - channel mass service systems with failures. In the future, this will make it possible to use systemically significant assessments in making global decisions at all stages of the work of a mineral deposit.