Metals mining geostatistical analysis and modeling. The metals industry operates on slender margins, cents per unit of ore making the difference between economic and unprofitable. Collaged symbols: Geostatistically-derived block model of an ore body, including drill hole positioning for core samples; three-dimensional plastic model of a copper deposit; the application of microscopy to the analysis of a copper ore sample. The equation relates to the spacing of core sample drill holes.