Grade Control Fundamentals

Grade control is the process of delineating ore from waste at the mining face. Objectives - Maximize ore recovery - Minimize dilution waste in ore - Minimize ore loss - Direct material to correct destination Grade Control Methods Blast Hole Sampling - Collect chips from each blast hole - Assay and plot results - Define ore/waste boundaries Face Mapping - Map exposed bench faces - Identify geological controls - Predict grade distribution Combination Most operations use both methods to optimize ore recovery.

All lessons in Open Pit Geology — Return to the complete Open Pit Geology course outline.
Previous lesson: Introduction to Open Pit Mining — Open pit mining is a surface mining technique used when ore bodies are near surface and cover large areas.
Next lesson: Blast Hole Sampling — Blast hole sampling provides the primary data for grade control decisions. Sample Collection Cone Sampling Collect representative sample from drill…

Verification resources

Cross-check terminology, classification, methods, and safety with these authoritative external resources.

Mineral Exploration Best Practice Guidelines — Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Professional guidance for geological data, sampling, interpretation, security, and QA/QC.
The life cycle of a mineral deposit — U.S. Geological Survey. Scientific context for mineral deposits, extraction, processing, and reclamation.
Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines — CIM Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Committee. Professional Canadian guidance for geological domains, sample support, estimation, uncertainty, validation, cut-off assumptions, and production reconciliation.

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Grade Control Fundamentals

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