Quality verification of standard samples and discovery of new ore bodies by underground exploration in Tizapa mine

Abstract

Tizapa mine is a polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposit located in state of Mexico, Mexico. The deposit consists of three ore bodies, East, Central and West. The mineral resource of the deposit is determined by data of surface/underground drillings and channel samplings. Quality assurance of sampling is performed by standard samples (ore sample with known values, blank and duplication) inserted every 10 samples. It's carried out the verification of blank sample by statistical tests to assure the results of sample analysis. The values of lead, zinc, copper and iron in the blank sample were set statistically the tolerances, so the blank sample attests the validity of sampling. Underground drillings and drifting were carried out in 2018 to explore the extension of West ore body. The samples from drilling and drifting are processed and assayed with verified blank samples. As a result of exploration, the mineral resource was obtained 76,906 t.