Resource and reserve estimation for a marble quarry using quality indicators

Abstract

The use of standard estimation and modelling software tools in estimating marble quarry reserves poses a number of challenges. Marble quarry reserves are based on marble quality categories, which are unique for each quarry/deposit considered. These categories represent visual and physical aspects of marble such as colour, texture, and fractures. Classification of marble in one of the categories is performed by experienced personnel and is based on samples much smaller in area than the slabs of marble that would be produced. Furthermore, the available information is mostly qualitative, leading to further complications in the application of geomathematical estimation methods. The method of estimating marble reserves described in this paper is based on interpolating quality indicator values from drill-hole and quarry face samples to blocks in three dimensions. The procedure is applied in all working quarries of Iktinos Hellas SA and is based on Maptek Vulcan Quarry Modeller, a mine planning package adapted for quarrying. Its application and results are demonstrated using a case study from a quarry in northeastern Greece.