BYO (BRING YOUR OWN) GEOSTATISTICS

by Dr. Isobel Clark

12 - 14 May 2008 Vancouver Canada

Course Presenters Schedule General information

Summary

This course allows participants to analyse their own data using the Geostokos Toolkit under supervision.

Recent courses have attracted participants with applications varying from sea-bird protection zones, river pollution, pests in orange groves to more traditional(?) applications such as groundwater hydrology and geological/mineral resource estimation.

A basic level of knowledge of statistical and geostatistical methods is assumed. For example, those who complete the pre-course e-learning modules will find this course eminently appealing. No mathematical expertise is necessary to carry out the analysis. All techniques are illustrated by exercises covering many different applications.

Questions and discussions are actively encouraged and, indeed, form the basis of a successful course. Participants should, if possible, bring their own data for independent study.

Basic computer skills and a familiarity with PC Windows systems are an advantage but not essential.

Participants may take away copies of all software and data sets.

Background

Geostatistics is the name given to a particular group of techniques which model spatial processes and allow estimation of values at unsampled locations. Geostatistical estimation is a two stage process:

1. studying the gathered data to establish the predictability of values from place to place in the study area;
2. estimating values at those locations which have not been sampled. This process is known as ‘kriging’.

In mining, geostatistics is extensively used in the field of reserve valuation - the estimation of grades and other parameters from a relatively small set of borehole or other samples.

Geostatistics is now widely used in many other fields. Obviously there are geological and geographical applications. However, the techniques are also used in such diverse fields as hydrology, ground water and air pollution, soil science and agriculture, forestry, epidemiology, management of wildlife and weather prediction.

Pre-Course e-Learning

Prior to the course, registered delegates are provided with an internet url, user name and password. This enables them to access an online e-learning material from EduMine consisting of a set of two introductory courses titled "Practical Geostatistics 2000". Review of this material prior to the course, including completion of the interactive reviews, enables delegates to derive maximum benefit from the live sessions.

UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

This course qualifies for the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies, a continuing education initiative by the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining at the University of British Columbia. Delegates who (1) register for the Certificate in Mining Studies, (2) complete online certification in the required EduMine e-learning modules, (3) attend this course, and (4) complete a take-away project will receive credit towards a Mining Certificate from UBC Continuing Studies. more details »

Who Should Attend?

The course is aimed at geologists, mining engineers, surveyors, biologists, agriculturalists, statisticians, environmentalists and any other professionals dealing with the estimation from or interpolation between samples collected on a spatial basis.