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Crustal Abundance Modeling of Mineral Resources: Recent Investigations and Preliminary Results

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Current Trends in Geomathematics

Part of the book series: Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences ((CAES))

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Abstract

This paper reviews the evolution of crustal abundance models from the early univariate stock-based models of element concentration, to a bivariate statistical model of deposit size and grade, and ultimately to a multivariate model (4-dimensional). The extension to a multivariate statistical model is motivated by the desire to use a crustal abundance model to estimate resources and potential supply. Such use requires that the model possess the structure to permit credible costing of exploration and production. Accommodating such a requirement leads to specification of a statistical model that describes deposit size, grade, depth, and intradeposit grade variance. This paper reports on a preliminary investigation of the estimation of such a model for U.S. uranium.

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© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

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Harris, D.P. (1988). Crustal Abundance Modeling of Mineral Resources: Recent Investigations and Preliminary Results. In: Merriam, D.F. (eds) Current Trends in Geomathematics. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7044-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-7044-4_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-7046-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-7044-4

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