Geological Feature Modeling and Reserve Estimation of Uranium Deposits Based on Multiple Interpolation Methods

Uranium resource distribution and accurate reserve evaluation are important references for mineral investment and production. Eight kinds of interpolation methods in the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS), including ordinary kriging (OK), are used in this study to predict the spatial distribution of reserve-related parameters, such as uranium grade, ore thickness and uranium content per square meter. The present study draws the following conclusions: (1) Cross-validation found that the uranium grade value using the spherical method is the closest to the actual value. The spherical method has the best interpolation effect. (2) The relative error, which is +3.62%, between the uranium reserves that is calculated by the spherical interpolation method and that by the traditional calculation value is the smallest. (3) The setting of the number of interpolation grids is related to the actual number of boreholes. The ratio between the two will affect the accuracy of reserve estimation, and different interpolation methods have different degrees of influence on reserve estimation. This method is applicable to all in-situ leaching sandstone uranium mines. Further study needs to be carried out toward heterogeneity of three-dimensional space, which will make the estimation more accurate.

Automated summary

The study uses eight interpolation methods in the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) to predict the spatial distribution of reserve-related parameters in uranium mines. The results show that the spherical interpolation method has the best effect and the smallest relative error compared to traditional calculation. The number of interpolation grids is related to the actual number of boreholes, and different interpolation methods have different degrees of influence on reserve estimation. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy of estimation by considering the heterogeneity of three-dimensional space.