Geostatistics applied to short-term mine planning

Abstract Geostatistics is being used today for long-term mine planning (e.g., ore reserve estimation and mine model development) and for production scheduling (e.g., ore-waste selection) at many of metal mines in the U. S. Geostatistics is not as yet used for short-term mine planning, although geostatistics provides ideal tools to satisfy several goals of short-term mine planning. This paper reviews the probable reasons for the lack of geostatistical applications in short-term mine planning and demonstrates the practicality of routine implementation of the University of Arizona's short-term mine planning system, if there exists either an economic or a political incentive to do so.