Modeling of indicators for controlling internal dilution in Cuban nickel and cobalt deposits

Abstract

The intercalations of ameniferous material within the meniferous horizon of the ferronickel deposits are the main cause of the internal dilution, which causes a low industrial efficiency. The purpose of this study is estimating the spatial probabilistic distribution of intercalations. It is very difficult predicting these intercalations in points without data in the sampling networks. To fulfill this purpose the Markovian model of deposits was used in order to create complexity indexes that quantify the frequency of appearance and the dispersion of the intercalations; these results allowed establishing the areas with the highest probability of occurring internal dilution, what is very useful in mining planning.

Keywords

• intercalaciones ameníferas
• dilución interna
• selectividad minera
• indicadores de la complejidad
• modelación markoviana.