A drilling rig is used to create boreholes in the Ground in construction, quarrying, and open-pit mining. Measurement While Drilling, MWD, is a method for collecting appropriate drilling data for systematically evaluation on the office computer. Data can be sampled during normal drilling at a predefined interval. In this Project MWD data from an open pit marble mine is available.

The recorded parameters are:
Penetration rate, Feed pressure, Percussive pressure, Rotation pressure, Damper pressure, Flush Air pressure, Hardness (this is estimated based on the collected parameters).

Furthermore the quality of the marbles is determined by certain parameters from lab tests, which will be conducted on collective samples from the boreholes. 

The quality control parameters are:

• Brightness
• Flotation loss
• Reagent consumption
• Acid insoluble residue
• Index

The overall objective of this project is by using 3 dimensional multivariate spatial statistical methods, develop a comprehensive statistical model. Furthermore, develop a predictive statistical model to determine the quality parameters of the marble in a 3 dimensional space. 

This will help to optimize the commercial mining productivity through an increased selectivity.  
The project will develop and test methodologies for including MWD-data in the mining value chain and it will provide a value add to the understanding of geological uncertainties and variabilities and how these can be utilized in a geometallurgical perspective.