Ore Dilution and Quality Control in Open Pit Mines E-Book

03 Ore Dilution and Quality Control in Open Pit Mines
Internal and External

Dilution
Dilution in mining operations can be internal and external. Referring
to a mining block, dilution happens in two different areas. Figure 1
shows a mining block and bench depicting internal and external
dilution. Internal dilution happens due to the presence of inter-
burden within the orebody. External dilution happens at ore contact
zone due to irregular shape of the ore body.
figure 1
www.groundhogApps.com
Internal Dilution
• Internal dilution occurs within a mining block in which
pockets of waste are unable to be separated and are mined
with the block.
• Low grade material surrounded by high grade material.
• Sometimes within a mining block there are waste inclusions
or low-grade pockets of ore that cannot be separated and are
inevitably mined with the mining block.
• Degrees of internal dilution can vary within various types of
deposits; specifically lithological and grade distributions
significantly influence the degree of dilution.
• Internal dilution is difficult if not impossible to avoid. The
amount of internal dilution varies in different types of
deposits. Lithology and grade distribution are important
factors in internal dilution.
External Dilution
• Refers to the waste outside of the orebody that is mined within
the mining block.
• External dilution varies based on geology, shape of orebody,
drilling and blasting techniques, scale of operation and
equipment size.
This is the type of dilution that can be controlled using proper
equipment and mining practices. The following initiatives can be
used to minimise external dilution:
• Defining the contact surfaces of the ore and waste
• Selection of the proper equipment to attain desired selectivity.
• Mining along the contact surfaces.
• Modelling the effects of unavoidable dilution.
Mine Value Diminutions

Due to Dilution
One of the main consequences of dilution is the reduction of mill
feed grade. Lower feed grade means less income. For marginal
grade ore, dilution may reduce the grades to a degree that it
becomes uneconomic to be processed, in other words dilution
may turn an ore block to waste.
Thus, due to dilution:
• There will be material loss and overall reserve of the mine

will decrease within a given pit.
• Energy and materials that are used in the processing plant to
treat the waste portion of the feed are wasted. As a result,
the mill unit operating cost increases directly by the amount
of the dilution factor.
Method of Ore Dilution

Control
Dilution control is essential to maximize ore recovery and
minimize unnecessary waste material, which can significantly
impact the overall profitability of the mine. By incorporating
dilution control methodologies into their mining practices,
companies can optimize their operations and achieve better
outcomes in terms of ore extraction and resource utilization.
Following are some strategies to effectively control dilution:
 Accurate Geological Modelling and Ore Body Knowledge:

Improve the accuracy of geological models and orebody
knowledge to precisely delineate the boundaries of the
ore and waste zones.
 Precisely Demarcate Ore Contact Zone: Use of sub-
blocks / partial percentage method during ore body
modelling near the ore boundary zone.
 Optimized Mine Design: Develop detailed mine designs
that consider the geological characteristics of the
orebody. Implement bench heights and slope angles that
minimize ore loss and waste material movement.
 Bench height selection based on Dip and Angle of Ore
Body: Lower bench height for steeply dipping ore body.
 Mine Scheduling: Operation Sequencing based on Grade
and Tonnage Target. Generate Grade Control Plan based
on quality requirements.
 Drill and Blast Plan: Generate Drill and Blast Plan for
Ore and Waste faces separately.
 Drill and Blast Techniques: Utilize precision drilling and
blasting techniques to minimize damage to the orebody
and surrounding rock, reducing dilution during the
blasting process. Precise Drilling at Ore Contact Zone
using HP GPS technology.
 Ore Contact Cleaning before Ore Face Blast: Develop
ore faces by waste removal at contact zone. Ore
contacts cleaning and remove all waste material from
ore contact zone before the ore face blast.
 Proper Blasting Design: Design the blast patterns to
avoid excessive fracturing and over-break, thereby
minimizing dilution caused by blasting.
 Fragmentation Analysis: Conduct regular fragmentation
analysis to assess the effectiveness of blasting and
adjust techniques as needed to reduce dilution.
 Effective Grade Control: Implement effective grade
control procedures to accurately determine the grade of
the ore being mined, reducing the risk of dilution due to
blending of high- and low-grade materials.
 Update Block Model based on Blast hole sample
analysis: Analyse drill cuttings sample and update Block
Model on regular basis.
 Equipment Selection and Operation: Use appropriate
mining equipment that can selectively mine the ore
without unnecessary dilution.
 Real-Time Ore Control: Implement real-time ore control
practices using on-board technology and data analytics
to guide mining activities precisely. Use of HP GPS
technology for Loading Operations.
 Proper Material Handling: Employ efficient material

handling and ore transport methods to minimize ore loss
and waste.
 Use of mis-haul alert system for potential wrong location
dumping: Mis-haul alerts for the trucks diverted from
designated route eliminate the chances of wrong location
dumping.
 Proper Stockpile Management and Blend Management:
Manage stockpile for different grade of ore and transfer
ore material to and from the designated stockpile based
on the quality requirement.
 Training and Supervision: Ensure that operators and
mining personnel receive adequate training and
supervision to avoid dilution due to human error.
 Geotechnical Stability: Maintain geotechnical stability to
prevent unwanted movement of ore and waste material.
 Validation and Reconciliation: Regularly validate
production results against mine plans to identify areas of
excessive dilution and take corrective actions.
 Monitoring and Reporting: Establish comprehensive
monitoring and reporting systems to track dilution levels
and identify potential areas for improvement.
 Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous
improvement within the mining operation to proactively
address dilution-related challenges.
By adopting these strategies and continuously optimizing

mining practices, mining operations can effectively control
internal and external dilution, leading to improved ore
recovery rates and increased profitability.
High Precision GPS

Technology for Ore Grade
Control
In recent years, the mining industry has seen a significant rise in
adopting high-precision GPS Technology for Precision Drilling and
Digging operations. This innovative approach has revolutionized
mining operations, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and
enhancing safety measures. High-precision GPS is used in drilling
and digging to maximize ore recovery and increase productivity
safely and sustainably. high Precision GPS technology is primarily
used to achieve centimetre level precision in the mining
operation. It is used for high precision drilling and digging when
mining in heterogeneous strata where grade control is very
important and drilling / digging at ore contacts to be precise. It is
used to ensure that drilling and digging is done as per the drill
plan and excavation plan to maintain planned drill parameters
(burden, spacing, depth and angle of drilling) and excavate as per
the planned dig blocks. Ultimately it helps in building benches
and ramps as per the mine design. Thus, high precision GPS
technology in drilling and digging equipment helps to maintain
designed bench parameters and ensure ore quality control.
GroundHog High Precision

GPS Technology
GroundHog uses RTK based High Precision GPS units on Blast
Hole Drills, Excavators and Dozers to ensure compliance to mine
design parameters with better accuracy for better productivity
and safety.
High Precision GPS technology is a cutting-edge technology that

provides centimetre-level positioning accuracy in real-time. It
works by utilizing a network of reference stations and a base
station, combined with advanced algorithms, to deliver
unparalleled precision.
Enhanced Equipment
Navigation and Control
One of the most significant advantages of High Precision GPS
technology in mining is its ability to provide precise equipment
navigation and control. By integrating HP GPS technology in
drilling and digging equipment, operators gain real-time visibility
and accurate positioning information. This empowers them to
guide their equipment along designated points with utmost
precision, even in challenging terrains or complex ore bodies.
The centimetre-level accuracy of High Precision GPS ensures

that drill and digging equipment can follow precise location for
drilling and digging at ore contact zones and reduce ore dilution.
This not only boosts operational efficiency but also leads to
substantial cost savings by minimizing material wastage and
reducing rework.
High Precision Low Precision
High-precision GPS is used in mining to maximize ore recovery

and increase productivity safely and sustainably. High-precision
digging is a powerful technique that helps minimize waste
extraction and routes material correctly while reducing overall
resource consumption. By accurately identifying mineral-rich
areas and selectively extracting them, mining operations can
optimize their productivity while minimizing their ecological
footprint. This targeted approach is essential for maximizing ore
recovery and increasing productivity in the mining industry.
Technology plays a critical role in implementing high-precision

digging. Providing better and real-time feedback for better mine
planning and ensuring better compliance with the plan is the
first step in improving productivity. Technologies such as drones
provide planners and decision-makers with a better
understanding of the terrain.
Highly sophisticated diggers with sensors integrated with high-

precision GPS and GIS systems, data analytics, and machine
learning help achieve high compliance with the plan during
execution. Laser-guided diggers are an asset that provides
operators with a detailed 3D terrain model, allowing for accurate
measurements and precise location data. This eliminates
guesswork and minimizes the risk of human error. High-precision
GPS technology is one of the most notable advancements in
diggers, redefining precision, and accuracy. With high-precision
GPS systems onboard, digger operators can navigate and control
the machine with an unprecedented level of accuracy. Satellite
signals help pinpoint the digger’s exact location in real-time,
integrating that information into the machine and the operator’s
tablet for accuracy in digging tasks.
Excavator Loading Ore
Dig Blocks with Different Grades of Ore
In complex terrains with critical measurements and angles,

diggers equipped with high-precision GPS can perform tasks
with unmatched accuracy, ensuring that the ore grade dug out
aligns perfectly with the plan. This level of high precision
improves the quality of the digger’s work, reduces material
waste, and costs, and saves time. The operator is also alerted
when digging below the bench height, reducing the over
digging of waste material below the ore / coal.

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03 Ore Dilution and Quality Control in Open Pit Mines

Internal and External

Mine Value Diminutions

Thus, due to dilution:

• There will be material loss and overall reserve of the mine

Method of Ore Dilution

 Accurate Geological Modelling and Ore Body Knowledge:

 Proper Material Handling: Employ efficient material

By adopting these strategies and continuously optimizing

High Precision GPS

GroundHog High Precision

High Precision GPS technology is a cutting-edge technology that

The centimetre-level accuracy of High Precision GPS ensures

High Precision Low Precision

High-precision GPS is used in mining to maximize ore recovery

Technology plays a critical role in implementing high-precision

Highly sophisticated diggers with sensors integrated with high-

Excavator Loading Ore

Dig Blocks with Different Grades of Ore

In complex terrains with critical measurements and angles,

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