Tetra Modelling

Brockman No 2
Hamersley Iron
This trial set out to examine the benefits Tetra Modelling
and applicability of tetra modelling to the the Deposit
Pilbara’s folded and strata-bound depos- The grade interpo-
its. Results have shown superior grade lation process was
estimates (controlled by the geology rath- re-run using tetra
er than the limits of the software) for modelling. Some
orebodies with sudden changes to dip geology strings had
and strike. In some cases, the time taken to be altered. Copies
to implement tetra models is far less than of the strings were
traditional techniques. made and shifted 20
metres either side of
Brockman No. 2 (BS2) is a stratified iron strand boundaries.
ore deposit approximately 50 km north- The height of the
west of Tom Price in the Hamersley prov- search ellipse was
ince of the Pilbara in northwest WA. Min- reduced slightly to better maintain the A tetra model is a 3D grid work of tetra-
eralisation is caused by the supergene stratigraphic effect. Tetra models were hedrons set up between two surfaces rep-
enrichment of a Banded Iron Formation. then created for each of the ore strands. resenting, for example, the upper and lower
The deposit is structurally complex - boundaries of a stratigraphic unit. The
deformed by three folding events and search ellipse, rather than having a fixed
later cut by faults. The stratigraphy is orientation, tracks through the tetra model.
consistent over the entire Hamersley prov- original
The position of the centre line of the search
ince. Shale bands within the stratigraphy upper strand ellipse is determined by the position of the
(right) are the major contaminant. The boundary block centroid along a tetrahedron.
ore bearing strata have been divided into
strands according to shale content.

strings modified and shifted to

original account for overturned bedding
lower strand
boundary
Section through a tetra model showing original
geology strings and modified shifted strings
Section through
tetra model

Sections through the deposit

Modelling the Deposit

The BS2 deposit was first modelled using
traditional techniques. The complex na-
ture of the folding meant that the search
ellipse would be a compromise average
of all the dips in the deposit. The resultant
ellipse turned out to be horizontal. Grade
was estimated using Kriging. Section through
tetra modelled
Samples in general are not selected from deposit
similar stratigraphic positions and grades showing faulted
do not accurately reflect the true nature and overturned
bedding
of the geology (see striped appearance Grade estimates
in image below). While globally the grade appear to reflect
will be reasonably accurately reflected, the geology
geologists cannot be confident that the quite well
grades on a local scale are reliable.

Advantages of tetra modelling

• better stratigraphic control ismaintained
• samples from similar stratigraphic positions are
selected to estimate grades
• local grade estimates are far more reliable
• slight increase in tonnage and iron grade with a
subsequent decrease in impurities due to lack of
smearing of higher and lower grades

Section through original model of the BS2 deposit

Grade estimates do not reflect the undulating stratigraphy Reproduced from Forge 2, 2000

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