Geological Modeling of Stratified Deposits

Damian Baranowski Principal Consultant (Asia)

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Grid Model vs Block Model

Grid Model Block Model

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Grid Model vs Block Model

Grid Model Block Model
Model generated directly from Manual digitising of points on
data source (borehole and sections
geometry) Generate surface from strings
Grids honour data and follow (DTM or Wireframing)
trends smoothly Block assigning
Quick model update Problem with seam overlapping
Maintain seam sequence and cross-overs

Surfaces are fitted Cross section

automatically to data
Seam A

Seam B

Grids are regularised surface incorporatng trending (smooth)

They are NOT triangles.

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Grid Model vs Block Model

Grid Model Block Model
Adequately represents thin Less accurate models
seams Sub-blocking is memory
More accurate models intensive
Better handle variation of seam Much higher storage capacity
thickness required
Design for deposit large in Long processing time
lateral extent (impractical)
Better represents faulted and Not suitable for faulting
folded structure Inaccurate modeling leads to
More accurate volume incorrect assessment of project
reporting value
Quicker validation

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Modeling Operations Ply Splitting

BH1 BH2 BH3 BH4 BH5
SS
SS
SS SS SS
CO A111
CO A111
CO A11 MD
MD
CO A1
CO A112 CO A112
MD
MD MD

CO MD CO A12 CO A12 CO A12

A
MD MD MD

CO A21 CO A21

CO A2 MD MD CO A2
CO A22 CO A22

BS BS BS
BS BS

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Modeling Operations Ply Splitting

BH1 BH2 BH3 BH4 BH5
SS
SS
SS SS SS
CO A111
CO A111

A111(E) CO A111(E) MD
A111(E) MD
CO
A112(E) CO A112 CO A112
A112(E) MD
MD MD
A112(E)
CO MD CO A12 CO A12 CO A12

MD MD
A12(E) MD
A12(E) CO A21
CO A21 A21(E)
A21(E) CO A21(E) MD MD CO
A22(E)
A22(E) CO A22 CO A22
A22(E)
BS BS BS
BS BS

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Modeling Operations Father/Son

BH1 BH2 BH3 BH4 BH5

SS
SS SS SS SS

CO BU CO BU CO BU
CO B MD
MD
CO B
CO MD
B
SS B
CO
CO
CO B
MD
BS CO BL
BS MD
BS CO BL
BS

BS

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Modeling Operations Father/Son

BH1 BH2 BH3 BH4 BH5

SS
SS SS SS SS
BU(E)

BU(E)
CO BU CO BU CO BU
CO B MD
MD
CO B
CO MD
B
SS BL(E) B
CO
CO BL
BL(E)
CO B
MD
BS CO BL
BS MD
BS CO BL
BS

BS

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Modeling Operations Interpolator

BH6
BH1

BH2
BH5
SS
BH3
CO A BH4
SS CL
SS SS B
CL CO
CO A CL
CO CO A
CO B A
CL CL
CO B
CL
CO B
CO C
CL CL
CO C CL CL

MD
MD CO CO
C C
D
CO
MD CO MD
CO D C CO C
MD MD
CO
D
BS

BS
BS

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Modeling Operations Interpolator

BH6
BH1
A(I)
BH2
BH5
SS
BH3 A(I)
CO A BH4
SS CL
SS SS B
CL CO
CO A CL
CO CO A
CO B A
CL CL
CO B
CL
CO B
B(I) CL B(I) CO C
CL
CO C CL CL

MD
MD CO CO
C C
D
CO
MD CO MD
CO D C CO C
MD MD
CO
D D(I)
BS
D(I) D(I)
BS
BS

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Modeling Operations Parameters

Splitting Father/Son
validation validation
average or area factors area selection
borehole & seam selection borehole & seam selection
data classification data classification

Interpolator
searching parameters (scan distance, sectors, max. points)
borehole & seam selection
seam priority
setting seam thickness to zero
data classification

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Modeling Operations User input

Users interpretation is required (important factor)
The results cannot be more accurate than input data
Good visualisation helps with the interpretation
Check result graphically and numerically

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Fault Modeling
Coal deposits are subject of complex faulting
Critical aspect of modeling
Modeling of inclined or curved faults in normal or reverse
environment
Input data: fault strings (or fault surface) with dip and throw

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Fault Modeling
Un-faulting boreholes in chronological sequence
Modeling operations, generating model
Re-faulting the model to its current faulted position.

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Growth Technique Features

Best suited for Structural modelling (Seam roofs and floors)
May be used for quality attributes (thickness, ash etc)
Honours the data points
Extrapolated values (estimates outside data value range)
Expansion outside data area (by distance or Fill Area)
Declusters data (Averaging and redistribution)
Produces accurate and smooth displays (Contour maps etc)
Various data type support (spots, break lines, faults, trends)

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Growth Technique Interpolation Methods

Growth Technique uses a combination of interpolation methods
1. Inverse Distance estimation,
2. Secant plane estimation and
3. Tangent plane estimations at each mesh point
Stage 1 (Regional grid generation) uses methods 1 and 2
Stage 3 (Final gridding) uses methods 2 and 3.**

The Secant Plane is determined using a least squares fit using data
from the surrounding 8 sectors
The Tangent Plane is determined from a first order differential
equation from immediate known points

** Where there is lack of data (< 5 sectors) Stage 3 will resort to

Methods 1 and 2.
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Growth Technique Interpolation Methods

Tangent Planes
Previously Estimated points
Tangent Plane Estimations
Estimation Point
Secant Plane Estimation
Secant Plane

Actual Surface

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Growth Technique Input data

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Growth Technique Initial Gridding

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Growth Technique Final Gridding

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Growth Technique Final Grid

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Thank you for your attention

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