Comparative Study of Two Gaussian Simulation Algorithms, Boddington Gold Deposit

Abstract

Simulation results depend on many parameters such as: modeling assumptions (e.g. Gaussian or Indicator simulation); implementation (e.g. point or block simulation); and case-specific parameters (e.g. top-cut values). The user is often in the dark when it comes to the impact on the results of modeling assumptions and software implementation. Not much literature is available and checks are difficult to complete. This paper is a comparative study of two point and block Gaussian related simulations. The study shows that careful calibration/validation is necessary in both cases to avoid significant biases. Point simulation is easy to validate against primary data because the support does not change; block simulation is more difficult to validate. Both software/algorithms were able to provide what they have been designed for, i.e. conditional simulated values that reproduce the required grade point or block distribution and variogram. Differences, however, were noted between the re-blocked point simulation and direct block simulation results. Differences in application and results of the methods together with advantages and disadvantages are discussed.