Improving the geometrization reliability of qualitative indicators of phosphate ores during their open mining on the example of the Kovdorskoye apatite and staffelite ore field

Background. In this paper, available methods for determining the geometry and density of exploration networks used in operational planning are discussed, along with approaches to determining the permissible error limits in the assessment of geological indicators. The Kovdorskoye apatite and staffelite ore field was selected as a research object.Aim. To determine the rational parameters of an in-mine sampling network for use in operational planning of phosphate ore mining.Materials and methods. The research was carried out as part of a project on the development of a methodology for operational in-mine sampling of apatite and staffelite ores. Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using the methods of mathematical statistics and cartography.Results. The conducted geometric autocorrelation and assessment of the anisotropy of variability in the content of components, which determine the quality of mineral raw materials, allowed the author to establish the rational parameters of an operational in-mine sampling network during the extraction of phosphate raw materials from the Kovdorskoye apatite and staffelite ore field.Conclusion. The absence of a pronounced anisotropy in the content of P2O5 and CO2 in apatite and staffelite ores was established, which implies the feasibility of using a uniform in-mine sampling network. The parameters of such a network were determined, which confirm the need to sample the rock cuttings in each borehole.