1. Scope
This practice provides a method for the determination of uncertainty for a coal resource assessment value. The tonnage estimate uses a geologic model and database on coal occurrence. The practice applies geostatistical methods to characterize the uncertainty associated with a tonnage estimated for one or more coal seams.
The current method of determining geological assurance for coal resource assessments is based on the US Geological Survey (USGS) Circular 891 which categorizes coal volumes (measured, indicated, inferred, and hypothetical) based on distances from data points. This circular currently is used by the coal industry for reporting coal resource estimates. Unfortunately, assurance based solely on distances between data points does not provide a true measure of uncertainty which is how close a particular resource estimate is to the true value. The proposed metholodology for determining uncertainty of coal resource estimates is based on recent USGS research and expresses the assessment results in tons of coal.
Keywords
Coal, Uncertainty, Resource Assessments
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Citing ASTM Standards
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