Predictive Modelling for Iron Ore Exploration Targeting: Case Study: 5-7 Bt Xaudum Iron Ore Exploration Target (Botswana).

Abstract

The principal objective of the research was to determine an exploration target estimate for the Xaudom Iron Ore project. Geophysical data inversion modelling was carried out and the results calibrated against local drill hole interpretation-based geological models. The results compared favourably and enabled a number of correction factors to be established. Subsequent drilling and geological modelling have yielded NI 43-101 compliant resources that are similar to the initial inversion based modelling estimates within optimised pit shells, showing the robustness of the Exploration Target technique. The approach discussed here may be useful for delineating exploration targets for other magnetite-rich iron mineralized areas faced with complex deformational histories.