The Application of GIS to Bauxite Mining in Jamaica

Jamaica is the world’s fourth largest producer of bauxite, the primary mineral used in the production of alumina, with bauxite and alumina production ranking as the country’s second largest foreign currency earner.

The island is partially covered by tertiary limestone, containing bauxite deposits in irregular and scattered paleokarstic channels relatively close to the surface. Although standard surface mining techniques are used, mining operations are constrained by rugged terrain, population density, varying ore quality, and small deposit sizes, coupled with outdated and inflexible data and maps. This operationally challenging environment prompted the need for development and implementation of cost-effective approaches to bauxite reserves utilization and management. GIS applications supported by satellite imagery and orthorectified aerial photography were implemented to manage, analyze, and display data on tonnage, ore quality, location, and ownership.

GIS applications, using ArcGIS 8.3 and its extensions and Vulcan, a customized 3D modeling and mine planning software, provide tools that assist in the decision making process and reserves management. This results in improved ore recovery control by enabling manipulation of various mine planning scenarios and constraints in the development and execution of mine plans. Maps 1 and 3 illustrate models of the thickness isopach and calcium oxide (CaO) distribution for a deposit using all collar (drill depth) and assay (quality) data. By applying criteria such as quality constraints on the deposit, the recoverable tonnage and quality are estimated and ore recovery strategy developed. Maps 2 and 4 illustrate the thickness isopach and CaO distribution respectively and where CaO was constrained for the actual recoverable areas within the deposit.