Case Studies
Optimizing Narrow Vein Modelling in a Polymetallic VMS Deposit
Asturmine helped the mine operate more profitably by reducing waste extraction, increasing valuable mineral recovery, and enabling faster, more precise planning cycles.
Reduced development widths from 5m to 3m
Eliminated manual polyline digitization
Unified disconnected local block models
Increased mineral recovery and grade quality
1. Context
In a polymetallic VMS deposit characterized by narrow, discontinuous veins and complex structural controls, the mining operation required frequent updates to its geological and grade control models.
To maintain an efficient underground operation, the mine needed accurate, rapid, and consistently updated models to support ongoing design adjustments and dilution control.
2. Challenge
The historical workflow relied on explicit, manual modelling, which became unsustainable as data inflows increased.
- Interpreting veins section‑by‑section
- Digitizing polylines manually
- Building solids by hand
The Scale Problem
The mine was too large for explicit modelling, resulting in neighbouring models that did not align and inconsistent geological domains.
3. Solution
Asturmine transformed the modelling strategy by transitioning from explicit digitization to a fully implicit, dynamic workflow. The objective was to streamline updates, improve consistency, and reduce human error.
- Capture thin, irregular vein geometries with greater fidelity
- Update domains automatically as new drillholes and underground data were added
- Maintain consistent geological logic across hundreds of domains
- Deliver revised models at a frequency that aligned with operational decision-making
4. Conclusions
4.1 Significantly shorter modelling cycles
The dynamic workflow substantially reduced the time required to produce updated geological and grade control models.
- More frequent delivery of updated resource and grade models
- Faster reaction to new geological information
- More time to evaluate scenarios and optimize development strategies
4.2. Major reduction in dilution
Improved modelling of narrow veins enabled the operation to define ore boundaries with much higher precision.
- Reduced extraction of waste rock
- Better control of ore boundaries
- More accurate stope and development designs
- Higher grade sent to the mill
4.3. Reduced errors and improved model stability
By eliminating repeated manual digitization and multiple import/export steps, internal inconsistencies decreased.
4.4. More efficient underground design
- Development widths were reduced (e.g., from 5 m to 3 m)
- Unnecessary drilling and blasting were minimized
- Infrastructure development was optimized
- Access to high grade areas improved
4.5. Overall economic improvement
Asturmine’s redesigned workflow delivered measurable value through:
- Less waste rock extraction
- Higher mineral recovery
- Better-informed decisions at every stage