From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 2 - Drilling and Sampling

Drilling campaigns are designed to meet the requirements of the mining schedule.

As the appropriate quality ore is identified, the drill spacing is progressively closed. The drill locations are surveyed, then the samples are collected and processed.

We utilise a semi-metallurgical process, which mimics the output of the KG1 plant for each ore sample. This is done to generate expected outcomes based on current processing methods.

This data is compiled, checked and loaded into a drilling database.

The data is then used for geological modelling to estimate the grade and yield of ore in areas being assessed. The modelled grade and yield information is used by the Engineer and Geologist to design pits and ore blocks to be processed in KG1 Beneficiation Plant. ​

The predicted grade of each ore block is utilised in the mining schedule to ensure we can mine the required sequence of ore block from across the broad deposit to combine the qualities to achieve our product quality​.

A feedback loop is generated by reconciliation studies done from time to time to check the accuracy of the outcome of the geological assessment. This allows modification of predicted grade outputs as the technology and process changes in the Beneficiation Plant.​