CFSG 2023, a high-level and comprehensive training program in mining geostatistics
Enroll in CFSG, the online specialized training cycle in mining geostatistics by Mines Paris and Geovariances, benefit from the expertise of a team that pioneers geostatistics and get a solid understanding of the ins and outs of geostatistics for resource estimation.
The CFSG training program is meant for mining geologists and engineers willing to achieve a high level of geostatistics and get a solid understanding of the theory and application of geostatistics for mineral resource estimation. It lets you review all aspects of mining geostatistics, learn the theory behind each technique, and put your new knowledge into practice through numerous exercises.
What alumni say
“As an exploration/resource development geologist, the CFSG training program has not only allowed me to understand better geostatistics and resource estimation concepts (EDA, IDW, OK, MIK…), but it has also bridged my career path from a resource development geologist to a resource estimation geologist. Thanks to the Center of Geostatistics of Mines Paris and Geovariances and their very comprehensive CFSG program, I was able to learn and reach my career goal without leaving my job.”
Lassana Sanogo – CFSG 2023
Senior Exploration & Resource Development Geologist – Resolute Mining (Syama Gold Mine)
“Breaking the ground of our initial knowledge into small pieces, to be able to rebuild a stronger edifice, guided by a review of the fundamentals, for a deeper understanding of geostatistical concepts, through theory and practice.” this is how I would qualify the CFSG training program.
It allows me to become more confident in the selection of further methods dedicated to mineral resource estimation and defend my findings with convincing arguments.
Eventually, attending the CFSG program still creates room for improvement of our skills as mine or resource geologists.
Dassouma Honoré Yeye – CFSG 2023
Former Senior Mine Geologist – Burkina Mining Company SA
“The CFSG training covered a wide range of geostatistical concepts during the theory sessions. I then had the ability to put these concepts into practice using Isatis.neo, allowing me to confirm my understanding and ask any further questions. I now have a deeper understanding of EDA, estimation, and validation, which will aid me in my current role. My geostatistical tool set has been greatly boosted since completing the CFSG program.”
Marlies Barden – CFSG 2023
Senior Resource Geologist – Mineral Resources Limited
“The CFSG program is an excellent framework for learning and mastering geostatistics which allowed me to eliminate the mystery I saw in stationarity, variograms, kriging, … It also provides a forum for exchanging and sharing experiences between research teachers, specialists, and professionals from different backgrounds, which I fully enjoyed. I really appreciated the program, which combines theory and practice. It allows me to be more confident in data processing and better justify estimation results.”
Souleymane Ouattara – CFSG 2022
Senior Geologist Modeling & Estimation – IAMGOLD/Essakane SA
“Doing the Master of Geostatistics CFSG has not only boosted my career in so many ways, but it has also opened my social and professional network to a whole new level, giving me job opportunities I never thought possible. So don’t miss the chance to solve a Kriging matrix by hand and get in-depth knowledge of what happens behind a few Isatis clicks!”
Flavie Isatelle – CFSG 2018
Senior Resource Geologist/Geostatistician – Cube Consulting
Specialist Mining Engineer – Vale
“The CFSG Program allowed me to dive deep into the World of Geostatistics for the first time. In addition to understanding the theoretical principle, I also enjoyed the opportunity to apply the learned theories to practical examples, giving me insight into my daily activities as a Specialist in Resource Estimation. Having a connection with great teachers from the CFSG Centre and Geovariances, I could say, I had a splendid and wonderful time! Thank you, CFSG Post Graduate Diplome – Mines Paris!”
Ufi Ma’rufianty – CFSG 2010
Mineral Resource Specialist – Harita Group
Make your program, pick the modules you are most interested in in the choice of the six modules CFSG contains:
- Core modules:
– Module 1: Geostatistics fundamentals
– Module 2: Advanced in-situ resources
– Module 3: Recoverable resources
– Module 4: Facies simulations - Additional modules:
– Module 5: Domaining
– Module 6: Coupling machine-learning and geostatistical techniques using Python
Registration to the four core modules gives you a discount of 15%, and to all six modules a discount of 25%.
Subscription to module 1 or a prior experience in geostatistics and Isatis.neo is mandatory to attend modules 2 to 6.
The knowledge acquired in each module is validated through an examination. You receive a training certificate for all validated modules.
Benefit from the trainers’ high expertise in geostatistics
From Mines Paris – PSL
Teacher-researcher in geostatistics
Teacher-researcher in geostatistics
Assistant professor in geostatistics
Researcher in geostatistics
From Geovariances
Geostatistician, Mineral Resource Consultant
Senior Geostatistician
Research and Development engineer
Geostatistician, Geophysicist
CFSG Program Content
The courses are delivered in English and requires a good level of this language. Good notions of mathematics are also recommended.
MODULE 1: GEOSTATISTICS FUNDAMENTALS (15 days)
Learn the fundamentals of mining geostatistics for resource estimation and build your first block model.
- Statistics for Mineral Resources
March 20-24 CET
This 1st week will refresh you on regionalized variables and key statistics (univariate and multivariate) for data analysis and quality control, and subsequent geostatistical analysis. You will also learn how to calculate selectivity curves (tonnage, grade, and metal).
The afternoon practical sessions will introduce you to Isatis.neo Mining Edition and to the management of a project and various types of data sets. - Modeling the spatial continuity
March 27-31 CET
During this 2nd week, you become acquainted with data spatial behavior. You learn how to quantify the spatial continuity of grades through experimental variograms (one-dimensional, multi-dimensional, anisotropic) and delve into the involved parameters. You are introduced to variogram modeling, review model properties, and modeling pitfalls.
You learn to achieve exploratory data analysis, compute experimental variograms and adjust variogram models with Isatis.neo Mining Edition. - In-situ resources
April 3-7 CEST
This 3rd week will initiate you to local resource estimation. The course provides a detailed review of standard interpolation techniques (i.e., moving mean, nearest neighbor, inverse distances) and kriging (simple, ordinary, intrinsic) and their properties and pitfalls. You will learn how to define a kriging neighborhood relevant to your data and validate the choice of parameters with cross-validation.
You will build your first block model with Isatis.neo Mining Edition.
MODULE 2: ADVANCED IN-SITU RESOURCES (9 days)
Learn how to improve estimation with multivariate geostatistics or by constraining the block model with geological trends.
- May 9-12 CEST
During this 1st week, you will become acquainted with multivariate geostatistics. You will be introduced to domaining, point, and spatial correlation, and learn about multivariate statistics (simple and cross variograms), and estimations (cokriging and collocated cokriging).
During the hands-on sessions, you will learn how to analyze contacts between domains using Isatis.neo Mining Edition, compute and adjust multivariate variograms, and run cokriging. - May 22-26 CEST
The 2nd week reviews non-stationary phenomena. You will learn to identify trends through swath plots or experimental variograms and take into account these trends through kriging with external drift.
You will practice kriging with external drift with Isatis.neo Mining Edition.
MODULE 3: RECOVERABLE RESOURCES (10 days)
Learn how to compute recoverable resources considering mining selectivity and quantify the uncertainties.
June 5-9 & June 12-16 CEST
These two weeks will detail the techniques for recoverable resource estimation according to cutoff grades: simulations (sequential gaussian and turning bands) for a rigorous analysis of the uncertainties and non-linear models (indicators, top-cut, conditional expectation). You will be introduced to the gaussian transformation, the change of support, and the information effect.
You will practice point and block simulations, Uniform Conditioning, and Direct Block Simulations with Isatis.neo Mining Edition.
MODULE 4: FACIES SIMULATIONS (5 days)
Learn how to compute realistic geological facies models.
September 11-15 CEST
During this week, you will be introduced to the categorical variables and get a comprehensive insight into various techniques of geological facies modeling (the sequential methods, the boolean model, the plurigaussian model, the process-based model).
During the practical sessions, you will learn how to compute a facies proportions model and run Sequential Indicator Simulations and Plurigaussian Simulations with Isatis.neo Mining Edition.
MODULE 5: DOMAINING (5 days)
Get introduced to a powerful machine-learning-based technique for geological domaining.
October 23-27 CEST
During this week, you will delve into the Geostatistical Hierarchical Clustering techniques to identify domains and classify drill-hole samples into homogeneous classes. You will learn about the potential field method for domain implicit modeling and be introduced to two approaches considering the genesis of the geological deposit: sedimentary or tectonic.
You will practice sample clustering for automatic domaining and domain modeling with Isatis.neo Mining Edition.
MODULE 6: COUPLING MACHINE-LEARNING AND GEOSTATISTICAL TECHNIQUES USING PYTHON (5 days)
Learn innovative and machine-learning-based techniques that improve performance.
November 20-24 CET
This last week will introduce you to Python scripting and Machine Learning techniques for data classification.
Outlines
- Half of the training program is devoted to methodological presentations, the other half to practical exercises to deepen the understanding of concepts.
– The methodological courses are given by Mines Paris professors and are scheduled to match the audience’s time zone. For more convenience, these courses are recorded and made available to participants.
– Geovariances’ consultants will drive the practical sessions, either from our French office (for those whose time zone is compatible with the French one) or from our Australian and Brazilian offices for the other participants. - A typical training week would then be:
– Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: theoretical course (on a half-day) and hands-on practice with Isatis.neo Mining Edition (on the half-day following the theoretical course).
– Thursday or Friday: Homework using Isatis.neo Mining Edition with compulsory rendering at the end of the day.
– Friday: Live correction and comments from the teaching team. Validation of prior learning. - CFSG is a full-time training. You are required to be present for the duration of the sessions.
- CFSG is a certification training. The knowledge acquired in each module is validated through an examination. At the end of each module, you will get a training certificate with a distinction that officially recognizes the full completion of the module.
- Course material and a temporary software license are provided.
- Registration to the 4 core modules gives you a discount of 15%, to all 6 modules a discount of 25%.
- A minimum number of 5 participants is required for a module to actually take place.