Methodology for Defining the Optimal Drilling Grid in a Laterite Nickel Deposit Based on a Conditional Simulation

Abstract In mining projects, the confidence in an estimate is associated with quantity and quality of available information. Thus, closer data to targeted location, smaller error estimated value. advanced stages a project (i.e. pre-feasibility feasibility phases), it usual take samples derived from drillings. Since sampling chemical analysis involve high costs, essential that these costs contribute reduction uncertainty estimation. This paper presents workflow for case study lateritic nickel deposit proposes methodology address issue optimising drilling grid based on Gaussian conditional geostatistical simulations. The usefulness proposed demonstrated terms saving time money when selecting drill hole grid.