The stages of mine design

The stages of mine design is outlined in a variety of ways throughout the literature. The table below has been created to encompass the primary and necessary aspects of mine design as it relates to the project and mine life as a while.

Summary Outline of Stages of Mine Design

		PROJECT PROGRESS
		PLANNING PHASE			IMPLEMENTATION PHASE	PRODUCTION PHASE	CLOSURE
TASK IDENTIFICATION		Scoping/Conceptual Study	Pre-Feasibility	Feasibility	Design and Construction	Operation and Ongoing Maintenance	Mine Site Reclamation
Administrative							Specific steps for mine closure are country-, location, and policy-specifc and the main goal is to address environmental concerns
Project Justification		Based on regional information check for any major geotechnical flaws	Draft mine design package including realistic design parameters	Mine design package approved	Mine design package made into reality and revised as needed	Mine design package kept as benchmark and updated as needed
Meetings and Site Visits		Initial site visit by mining company to assess site and receive existing information	Regular and as-needed visits to collect additional relevant information (geological, geotechnical, etc)	On-site assessments as needed (may include geotechnical investigations, etc.)	Permanent on-site presence	Permanent on-site presence
Documents and Documentation		Find and study mine documents from a similar-operating mine	Geotechnical analysis conducted by mining company and/or outside engineering firm; Analogues identified between similar mining operations	Data collection and compilations by on-site geological team and external company (geologic maps, sections, level plans, etc.)	Further data collections by mining company staff; Revisions and further detail added to documents	Databasing and ongoing data collection by mining staff; Ongoing revisions to pertinent documents
Property Ownership		Review of property lease	Review of property list; Claims list provided; Mineral rights known	Property lease and rights secured and controlled; Claims list and map provided; Mineral rights secured	Property lease, claims list, map and mineral rights kept on file and controlled	Property lease, claims list, map and mineral rights kept on file and controlled
Topographic Map		Basic map of site topography	Preliminary map modification showing more site topographic features	Detailed map of site topographic features; Aerial surveys verified with ground controls/surveys	Topographic map kept up-to-date with any construction-induced changes	Topographic map kept on file for future reference
Site Map		Basic map of property in question	Preliminary map presenting claims and boundaries	Detailed map with all claims and boundaries	Maintain up-to-date detailed map with all claims, boundaries and site infrastructure	Maintain up-to-date detailed map with all claims, boundaries and site infrastructure
Exploration and Geological Model Development
GEOLOGY
Review of Regional Data		Preliminary review of existing exploration mapping, geological maps and core logs	Review of existing exploration, geological maps and core logs by on-site geologists; Preliminary site-specific analysis	Detailed site-specific analysis	Review of any regional changes or new exploration mapping, geological maps or core logs that may become available	Review of any regional changes or new exploration mapping, geological maps or core logs that may become available
Data Collection		Library review, and review of geophysical data if available (surface or downhole)	Major structures defined; Geophysical sampling conducted; Develop database(s)	Ongoing geophysical sampling; Enhancement of geological database	Refine geological database	Ongoing updates to geological database
Geological Mapping & Model Development		Preliminary review of existing maps and preliminary geologic mapping; Initial country rock model	Detailed geological mapping and associated cross sections produced; Initial 3D model	Geological teams (mining and external company) review and further enhance geological mapping and associated cross sections; Enhance 3D model and develop long sections and level plans	Review and revise geological maps, sections and level plans; Refine 3D model	Review and revise geological maps, sections and level plans as needed; Further and ongoing refinement of 3D model
Geologic Assessment		Preliminary geological assessment, including arrangements made for collecting geotechnical data for analysis	Basic geological assessment and review conducted	Detailed geological assessment of structures/rock contacts, alteration mineralization and deposit trends and review conducted	Geological assessment revisions made as needed (as information changes)	Geological assessment kept up-to-date and modified/detailed where needed
Mineralogical Sampling and Analyses		Limited sampling; Preliminary assessment	Preliminary mineralogical sampling and analysis; Preliminary mineralogical study	Detailed mineralogical sampling and mapping; Detailed mineralogical study	Location-specific mineralogical sampling and mapping; Revisions of mineralogical study as needed	Mineralogical sampling, mapping and revisions to study as needed
DRILLING, SAMPLING AND ASSAYING
Drill Hole Spacing		Wide spaced drilling as estimated from exploration/geological maps	Initial infill drilling of wide-spaced drilling; Development of preliminary grid patters; Targeted oriented drilling for development of structural model	Infill (closely-spaced) drilling on a detailed grid pattern as estimated by calculated reserve categories; Infill oriented drilling for refinement of structural model	Targeted drilling (as needed) to clarify any uncertainties; Infill drilling (as needed) for sampling and testing for intact rock strength	Isolated drilling as needed
Underground Drilling		Review of existing data	Drilling if accessible	Detailed drilling if accessible	Detailed and/or targeted underground drilling	Drilling as needed
Sampling		Preliminary sampling; Obtain outcrop samples where available	Geotechnical sampling; Test pits	All feasibility sampling programs complete; Detailed sampling from targeted and/or infill drilling	Location-specific samples taken where needed for further refinement of design/construction parameters	Location-specific samples taken where needed for refining mine design as sequencing progresses
Drilling/Assay Data		Preliminary check of existing drill hole data	Check of drill holes (coordinates, elevations, angles, etc.); Check assays, angled hole vs. vertical hole comparison; Assay flow diagram and development of database	Check of drill holes (coordinates, elevations, angles, etc.); Check assays, angled hole vs. vertical hole comparison; Twin hole drilling; Assay flow diagram and validation of database	Ongoing check of drill holes (coordinates, elevations, angles, etc.); Check assays, angled hole vs. vertical hole comparison; Twin hole drilling; Assay flow diagram and refinement of database	As-needed check of drill holes (coordinates, elevations, angles, etc.); Check assays, angled hole vs. vertical hole comparison; Twin hole drilling; Assay flow diagram and enhancement of database
Condemnation Drilling		N/A	N/A	Areas under proposed location of waste dumps, tailings and plants drilled	N/A	If any additional stuctures planned, areas under the proposed locations drilled
Geotechnical
CHARACTERIZATION
Pertinent Regional Information		Review of regional geotechnical data; Analogical mine design cases identified for comparison and benchmarking	Incorporate regional geotechnical parameters in pre-feasibility plans & designs; Identify any differences between analogical cases	Review analogical mine design parameters and regional geotechnical data to compare to updated design for any differences or similarities	Keep regional geotechnical data and analogical mine design cases on file for comparison and reference	Keep regional geotechnical data and analogical mine design cases on file for comparison to actual results
Assessment and Database Maintenance		Geotechnical assessment of advanced exploration data	Assessment and compilation of initial mine-scale geotechnical data; Establish a preliminary geotechnical database	Ongoing assessment and compilation of all new mine-scale geotechnical data; Enhancement to the geotechnical database	Refinement of geotechnical database	Ongoing maintenance of geotechnical database
Intact Rock Strength Determination		Use literature values supplemented by index tests on core from geological drilling	Index and laboratory testing on sample selected from targeted mine-scale drilling; Initial assessment of lithological domains	Laboratory testing on detailed samples; Detailed assessment and establishment of parameters for 3D geotechnical model	Sampling on infill/targeted drilling and laboratory testing	Sampling and laboratory testing completed as required
Stress Measurement		Regional compilations; World Stress Map	Supplement by research data from nearby mines	No additional data collection	No additional data collection; Sensitivity study may be conducted if numerical modelling used	Take in-situ measurements if significant load-bearing structures are present (pillars, etc), or if mine is deep and stress related failure is important
3D Geotechnical Model		Consider validity of regional geotechnical data as a source for parameters in model	Prepare a draft of the 3D model	Enhancement of the 3D model	Refinement of 3D model	Ongoing maintenance and updates to 3D model
STRUCTURAL
Mapping		Collect and review aerial photos from historical times to present; Regional outcrop mapping	Mine-scale outcrop mapping	Trench mapping (if applicable)	Detailed mapping, if needed, in specific areas of uncertainty	Structural mapping on all pit benches or tunnels/adits
Stereographic and Structural Domains		Initial stereographic drafts from outcrop mapping parameters	Database established for structural information; Initial stereographic assessment of data; Initial structural domains established	Enhancement of database; Advanced stereographic assessment of fabric data; Confirmation of structural domains	Refined interpretation of fabric data and structural domains	Further refinement of fabric data and structural domains
3D Structrual Model		Initial ground proofing	Initial 3D structural model	Refinement of 3D structural model	Refined interpretation of 3D structural model	Further refinement and ongoing maintenance to 3D model
MINE DESIGN - Open Pit, Underground or Combination
Open Pit	Pit Design	Pit slopes assumed; Draft of final pit design	Preliminary update of pit slopes design based on rock type and basic geotechnical data and index tests; Revisions made of draft of final pit design; Preliminary haul-road incorporated into design	Pit slopes defined by geotechnical data from structural mapping and oriented core holes; Detailed pit designs with phases and access for equipment operation	Pit slope and overall design altered/updated if significant construction problems arise	Pit slope and overall design altered/updated if significant construction problmes arise
	Waste Dumps	Simple outline of final dumps and location	Preliminary design for total waste tonnage; Incremental and final outline of dumps	Dump sites identified from geotechnical data; Final waste tonnages determined with incremental phases; Yearly and final dump outlined	Dump sites established and/or relocated depending on results of condemnation drilling	Ensure that waste dumps stay within allotted boundaries and that safety measrues are met	monitoring
Underground Mine Design		Assumed mining system; General outline of mine plan and development	Preliminary mining system identified from geologic and geotechnical data; Preliminary outline of mine plan and development including mine access	Specific mining system identified from geologic and geotechnical data; Detailed outline of mine plan and development including mine access	Mining system and detailed outline embodied in detailed design and construction	Ensure that detailed design and all aspects of the design optimize mine safety and production

  References

(1) Pincock, Allen and Holt. (2009). Pincock Perspecitives: Minimum Engineering Study Requirements Update. Issue No. 95. Pincock, Allen and Holt, a division of Runge, Inc.

(2) Hustrulid, W. A., & Kuchta, M. (2006). Open pit mine planning and design (Vol. 1). Taylor & Francis.

(3) Vale, personal communication