The practice of mining gegstatistics in 1980

The scope of the term “Mining Geostatistics” is defined in the context of a brief historical review of the topic. Assumptions andtools adapted from probability theory are applied first to linear estimation problems leading to the iging” estimator and then shown capable of extension to non- ationary and non-linear situa­tions, in which conditional simulation, conditional distributions and “disjunctive Kriging” become applicable. Directions for further research work are indicated regarding variogram identification and modelling of random functions where stationarity or linearity may not hold. The brief review suggests that the mutual benefits of practice and theory will continue to develop.