Comparison between ordinary kriging (OK) and inverse distance weighted (IDW) based on estimation error. Case study: Dardevey iron ore deposit, NE Iran

Estimation of mineral resources and reserves with low values of error is essential in mineral exploration. The aim of this study is to compare inverse distance weighted (IDW) and ordinary kriging (OK) methods based on error estimation in the Dardevey iron ore deposit, NE Iran. Anisotropic ellipsoid and variograms were calculated and generated for estimation of Fe distribution by both methods. Density, continuity of ore and waste, the number of points involved, and the discretization factor in the estimation of ore and waste boundaries were determined and the resource estimated by IDW and OK methods. Estimation errors were classified based on JORC standard, and both methods were compared due to distribution of error estimation. Results obtained by the study indicate that error estimation of OK method is less than IDW method and that the results of OK method are reliable.