Mine Modelling using GIS technology in Albania

Albania is a country with rich mineral resources. Mineral exploration, exploitation and processing constitute a key component of the Albanian economy, due to a traditional mining industry that has been a solid foundation to the country economic sector generating substantial revenues. The minerals mined, and treated in the past, which still remain in Albania, include mainly chrome, copper, iron-nickel, coal, oil etc. One of the biggest challenges of the Albanian mining today is the need for modern planning and management. To reach this goal the best instrument to be used is modelling of mineral sources. Mine modelling has solved many technical problems in the exploration process, mine designing, and extraction of minerals. Mine modelling in Albania started very early and methods have progressed and advanced in time. During 1950-1990 main modelling methods have been mathematical and geometrical. New democratic changes on 1991 brought the opening of Albanian with world, what made possible cooperation with west countries and introducing of advanced technology in mine modelling. The high request for full mineral sources modelling obliged the use new of computer program, digitisation of documentation, 3D modelling, etc. This article presents a general overview of the mine development in Albania, mine modelling and brings same case on new GIS technologies applications used for this purpose.