A critical comparison of interpolation techniques for digital terrain modelling in mining

Digital modelling of a surface is crucial for Earth science and mining applications many reasons. These days, high-tech digital representations are used to produce high-fidelity topographic in the form terrain model (DTM). DTMs created from 2D data-points collected by variety techniques such as traditional ground surveying, image processing, LiDAR, radar, global positioning systems. At points which data not available, heights need be interpolated or extrapolated with measured elevations. There several interpolation/extrapolation may categorized based on criteria area size, accuracy exactness surface, smoothness, continuity, preciseness. In this paper we examine these DTM production methods highlight their distinctive characteristics. Real mine site used, case study, create using various interpolation Surfer® software. The significant variation resulting demonstrates that developing straightforward it important choose method carefully because outcomes depend used. instances, where volume estimations produced DTM, can have impact. For our data-set, natural neighbour made best predictions (R2 = 0.969, β 0.98, P < 0.0001).