Mine planning in the coal industry is traditionally developed using a geological model built by discretising relevant geological and engineering attributes into small blocks. Production scheduling is planned based on a 3D geological model representing important features, such as coal cumulation, coal recovery at the plant and other geochemical properties relevant for environmental characterisation. In coal operations using continuous mining systems, rock mechanics properties are deemed relevant as these properties directly influence equipment performance. Rock mass resistance and its abrasiveness impact directly the system productivity. Operational difficulties may arise when using continuous coal cutters within zones containing high concentrations of pyrite concretions. In extreme situations, high pyrite concentration makes unpractical the use of continuous systems with severe costs penalties if not predicted in advance. This paper presents a methodology to forecast pyrite spatial distribution based on kriging. The results proved to be appropriate based on reconciliation obtained comparing pyrite percentage versus bit consumption. A case study in major coal deposit illustrates the methodology.
pyrite concretions; ordinary kriging; block model
