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EMI 2205 - Mining Methods

The document is a mining engineering exam paper consisting of 5 questions about various underground mining methods and concepts. It includes topics like open pit mining bench design, factors for selecting a suitable mining method, sublevel caving application and development, terminology related to underground mine workings, advantages and requirements of block caving, parameters for adopting underground over surface mining, cut and fill stoping classifications, mechanized cut and fill operations, shaft positioning justification, the shaft sinking cycle, and descriptions of the three primary underground accesses.

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41 views

EMI 2205 - Mining Methods

The document is a mining engineering exam paper consisting of 5 questions about various underground mining methods and concepts. It includes topics like open pit mining bench design, factors for selecting a suitable mining method, sublevel caving application and development, terminology related to underground mine workings, advantages and requirements of block caving, parameters for adopting underground over surface mining, cut and fill stoping classifications, mechanized cut and fill operations, shaft positioning justification, the shaft sinking cycle, and descriptions of the three primary underground accesses.

Uploaded by

vongai chimbunde
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

MINING METHODS

EMI 2205

Final Examination Paper

June 2020

This examination paper consists of 3 pages

Time Allowed: 3 hours

Total Marks: 100

Examiner’s Name: Mr D. Chawira

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper contains One section with Five questions


2. Answer Question One (25 marks) and any other Three questions (25 marks each)
3. Where a question contains subdivisions, the mark value of each subdivision is shown in
brackets.
4. Start each question on a new page

NB: DO NOT TURN OVER THE QUESTION PAPER OR COMMENCE WRITING UNTIL
INSTRUCTED TO DO SO

Additional Requirements

Non-Programmable Calculator

MARK ALLOCATION

Question 1 to 5 25Marks
Part Questions As shown in each part question
Total Attainable 100

Page 1 of 4

Copyright: Gwanda State University


Question 1 (25 marks)

a. Draw a neat sketch diagram of section through an open pit showing the following:

 bench, bench face, toe of bench, crest of bench, bench slope angle, pit floor, berm, berm
height, berm slope angle, road and ramp width, overall pit slope angle [12 marks]

b. As the project engineer for mining company X, you have been tasked to do a pre-feasibility
study on a greenfield. Describe factors would you consider for the selection of a suitable mining
method? [8 marks]

c. The open pit has pit slopes which are benched. Explain why pit slopes are benched. [5 marks]

Question 2 (25 marks)

Mine X has reached an economic pit limit, the long term mine plan is to transition from open pit
mining to underground mining using sublevel caving mining method for the deposit.

a. Outline the typical geology to be expected in such a deposit with special reference to the
relative dimensions and the dip of the ore body, and the quality of the rock masses in the ore,
hanging and foot walls. [6 marks]

b. Describe sublevel caving mining with special reference to:

1. Application [5 marks]
2. Development [5 marks]
3. Production [5 marks]
4. Ore handling [4 marks]

Question 3 (25 marks)

a. Explain, with the aid of sketches the showing a near vertical narrow vein orebody, the
following terms as used to describe underground mine workings

1. Foot wall
2. Stope
3. Raise
4. Winze
5. Ore-pass
6. Cross cut
7. Shaft
8. Hanging wall
Page 2 of 4
9. Foot wall [13 marks]

b. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of block caving mining method. [8 marks]

c. What orebody geometric and rock features are necessary for the adoption of block caving
mining method? [4 marks]

Question 4 (25 marks)

a. In underground mining, there are four basic preliminary parameters considered in the adopting
underground mining over surface mining. Describe these basic parameters. [8 marks]

b. The ‘Cut and Fill’ stoping mining method can be broadly subdivided as ‘overhand’ versus
‘underhand’, and ‘open’ versus ‘tight’. What do you understand by this statement? [8 marks]

c. Discuss the cycle of operations in mechanised overhand cut and fill stoping. [9 marks]

Question 5 (25 marks)

a.

Figure 1: Shaft positions on a dipping vein


The positioning of a shaft is important in mine planning. Figure 1 shows dipping vein and three
positions where a shaft can be positioned. Justify why position 1 is more favourable for
positioning a shaft. [6 marks]

Page 3 of 4
b. Discuss the shaft sinking cycle in underground mining operations. [7 marks]

c. In underground mining there are three primary accesses to the deposit. Briefly describe these
three primary accesses to the deposit giving reference to their respective advantages and
disadvantages. [12 marks]

Page 4 of 4

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