Selection of mining method
Contents
- 1 Selection of mining method
- 1.1 Review of the main mining methods
- 1.2 Preliminary selection of mining method
- 1.2.1 Cut-off-grade selection
- 1.2.2 Selection of mining methods, sizing of stopes
- 1.2.3 Estimation of the resources and reserves for each
- 1.2.4 Grade and tonnage distribution
- 1.2.5 Dilution and ore recovery
- 1.2.6 Presence of mineral domains and blending requirements
- 1.2.7 Preliminary estimation of mining cost per tonne
- 1.2.8 Estimation of the potential production rate
- 1.2.9 Rough estimate of revenues, operating costs, and margins
- 1.2.10 Selection of the most promising options
- 1.3 Refined selection of mining method
- 1.4 Value addition
Selection of mining method
Context: The selection of a mining method for a given orebody can be a challenging assignment and may need to address personal bias for or against a particular method. The selection of the mining method may also need to occur prior to the completion of desired geotechnical or ore value determinations. The Mining professional will need to continually debate if the information picture is complete enough for the design. In some cases the picture will only be more complete when mining has commenced. A clear understanding of the risks in mine design and their mitigation is also essential.
The chapter will need to describe the selection process in enough detail that a new professional to the industry could follow the process, while balancing the desire to encourage senior or retired professionals to contribute to this chapter based upon their experiences. The various business and technical considerations influencing choice of mining method should be discussed, and linkages with topics described in other chapters should be made to emphasize value creation through consideration of the entire mining system as opposed to single components of the design.
The understanding of value creation and where value is lost in our mine design and subsequent execution needs to be explained in mining method selection.
Purpose: clarify the process of selecting a mining method for an orebody.
Quantity: one chapter with multiple sub-sections
Quality: the following topics would be covered in this chapter
• How the data gathered in the previous chapter links with the method selection
• What additional data is required for method selection
• How to use operational data and what to watch out for in the data.
• Can the selection process be shown in a flow chart
• What criteria is used at each selection steps and how to determine how a method will perform
• How specific site characteristics or requirements may affect choice of mining method
• How to address bias for or against a particular mining method
• How to factor in new or novel approaches in mining which may affect the method selected
• Risk assessment and mitigation in mine design
• What can be learned from past mining method selections
Review of the main mining methods
Review for the purpose of differentiating as a function of the geological and geotechnical characteristics discussed in the previous chapter. Dilution factors, mine recoveries and operating costs ranges are also discussed. Sources of information on costing are discussed.
Room and pillar
Shrinkage
Sub-level stoping
Longitudinal long-hole retreat
Cut & fill
Underhand cut & fill
Sublevel caving
Panel caving
Preliminary selection of mining method
This section would be used in conceptual and scoping studies for trade-off analysis. Applicable mining methods are chosen based on geometrical and geomechanical criteria, and for each option, a quick economic analysis is done to establish, the required cut-off grade, the available resources, and the potential production rate. The process must recognize that more than one mining method can be used in the mine.
Cut-off-grade selection
Selection of mining methods, sizing of stopes
The first selection will be based mostly on the shape and the geotechnical characteristics of the orebody. Review of the main points in reference to the previously discussed mining methods
Estimation of the resources and reserves for each
Each mining method have associated dilution factors and operating costs, and it is possible to get a quick estimate of the amount of resources and reserves available for each.
Grade and tonnage distribution
Dilution and ore recovery
Presence of mineral domains and blending requirements
Preliminary estimation of mining cost per tonne
Estimation of the potential production rate
Each estimated resource has the potential for a certain production rate. Discussion of the techniques for estimating such rates, as well as the operating constraints limiting the productivity.
Rough estimate of revenues, operating costs, and margins
Combining all the previous points, get a rough estimate of operating margins, both on a unit basis and in total for the orebody.
Selection of the most promising options
Discussion on how to use all this information to determine the most promising mining methods.
Refined selection of mining method
In this section, more details are added to determine rough estimates of capital costs for development, transport infrastructures, and ventilation, the technical risks are analysed and mitigated to eventually choose the mining method for detailed design work.
Rough layout and costing of the ore, waste, backfill, materials, labour transport development
Rough layout and costing of ventilation infrastructure
Risk assessment matrix
Risk mitigation profile
Selection of mining method(s) for detailed design
Value addition
Discussion of the sensitivity of the design and the effects on production and value. Show how some deposits may have much more flexibility than others.
