FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Lodewyk]

Hi there. Could anyone please assist? With a Galena deposit (85% Pb) that has an outcrop of about 10 Ha, what would the typical profile be below ground. What area should one reserve for the mine and how deep would such a deposit typically be?
How does quality change within the deposit>

Many thanks

.

[Duncan Miller]

Lodewyk

If there were such a thing as a typical ore deposit with vertical extent predictable from surface outcrop, mining companies would not spend millions of rand on exploratory drilling.

Duncan

[Lodewyk]

Hi! Thanks for your reply. In general I also think this, but if your reply is based on your spesific and practical experience with Galena deposits I appreciate itl

Lodewyk

[James Catmur]

I agree that the question is a bit of one of those "how long is a piece of string?" questions. No simple answer without a huge amount more data or lots of measurement.

James

[Duncan Miller]

Hi Lodewyk

Do a Google search for Gamsberg, Black Mountain, Broken Hill - all near Aggeneys - and you will get plenty of geological information about South African copper/lead/zinc deposits. You will find they all differ structurally and one can't generalise about them except in the broadest geological terms.

Duncan

[Lodewyk]

Thanks James,
It is true that the question is almost like how long is a piece of string. But I do not want to be a wize ass and just make imaginary assumptions. I am still at the point of "discovering" that there is indeed a structure like "string" available for use. I would not know if galena is not that funny ore with funny predictable characteristics if i do not ask the question. But I understand your point and thanks for your time.

[Lodewyk]

Duncan,

Many thanks for your personal attention, time and pointers. I will follow it up

Regards