Mine Design I - Design of Surface Mines and Facilities

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. explain what is involved in designing any type of surface mine; 2. identify the various parameters used in surface mine design and how to acquire them; 3. apply the techniques learned in designing a surface mine where required; 4. select an appropriate mining method and machineries for a given mineral deposit; 5. employ applicable software packages for design of surface mines; 6. generate mineral model from cut-off grade; and 7. design the optimum slope for safe operation and optimum recovery.

Design of surface mine excavation methods. Determination of bench parameters. Calculation of the width of working platform of the bench. Determination of the optimum depth of a surface mine. Selection of mine equipment and machinery. This includes draglines, loaders, power shovels, drilling rigs, jack hammer, compressor, conveyor belt, etc. Feasibility study of a proposed quarry. Design of a surface mine using an existing data. Software applications to surface mine design in planning and organisation using various software packages in the laboratory. Slope design in surface mines to ensure safe operation. Practical exercise.