How do you still make this mistake?
Most beginner geologists or students make this mistake. It is estimated that 90% of them do. But what is it fundamentally about? Indeed, many find it difficult to distinguish between mining sampling and geological sampling.
What is the difference then?
Geological sampling is practiced at a very early stage of exploration. Its role is to define the mineralized zone and, at best, to provide information on the order of magnitude of the average grade of the deposit.
Mining sampling is practiced at different stages of exploitation. The mineralization having been defined beforehand; this sampling is carried out systematically. It is primarily used to make estimates.
Why make this distinction?
It is important not to lose sight of the fact that each of them has a specific objective. If we take the case of a core sampling carried out with different length passes, it is clear that these samplings cannot be used for estimation purposes.
Furthermore, for geological sampling, questions such as: “Is the sample representative?”, “What volume should be collected?”, “What mesh should be adopted?”, remain essential.
Finally, it should be specified that no sampling problem can be solved without a good knowledge of the mineralization. Otherwise, common sense should be used, or one should rely on previous experiences similar to the current context.
