MINN2008A : INTRODUCTION TO UNDERGROUND AND SURFACE MINING METHODS

PROJECT : MINI-DESIGN AND PLANNING OF LONGHOLE MASSIVE MINING

OPERATIONS

DUE : 06 MAY 2024 (23:59) – ULWAZI (Weigh�ng = 30%)

BACKGROUND:

The Letaba Mining Consor�um is currently engaged in mining opera�ons within a steeply
dipping large tabular copper-gold (Cu-Au) deposit, situated at depths ranging from 100 m to
1,000 m. The deposit spans an area 7 km long and 4 km wide, with scatered mineraliza�on
zones. This project focuses on extrac�ng the LT008 mineralised zone, which has an average
width of 30 m and extends longitudinally for approximately 500 m, with an average height of
300 m. The target produc�on from LT008 is 30,000 metric tonnes (t) per day which includes
planned dilu�on of 15%.

The es�mated average grades for copper (Cu) and gold (Au) are 3% for Cu and 5 grams per
tonne (g/t) for Au. The recovery rates at the processing plant are an�cipated to be 98% for Cu
and 97% for Au. Copper represents 75% of the Mineral Resources and Reserves. For the life
of mine (LOM), the price of Cu is projected to average approximately US$9,240.30 per metric
tonne (t), while the price of Au is forecasted to average US$2,343.30 per troy ounce (oz).
Conversely, the an�cipated all-encompassing mining costs per unit for Au are expected to
amount to US$5,000/t and US$1,500/oz for Au for the life of mine.

Geotechnical condi�ons dictate a maximum stope span of 30 m, incorpora�ng rib and sill
pillars of 5 m thickness and a 10 m crown pillar.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Your task as mining engineering students is to design and schedule mining opera�ons for one
level, ensuring the achievement of the required daily produc�on of 30,000 metric tonnes (t)
per day from this level.

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Below are detailed requirements for each aspect of the project:

1. Mining Method:
• Evaluate and select the most suitable longhole massive mining method for the
exploita�on of LT008.
• Give reasons for the selec�on of the mining method.
2. Development Required for Stope Access:
• Design the necessary development for accessing the stopes efficiently and safely.
• Provide computer-aided drawings and specifica�ons for each development.
• Specifica�ons must include type of development, purpose, and dimensions of each
development.
• Development dimensions must match the equipment and produc�on requirements.
3. Stope Design and Mining Sequence:
• Develop a comprehensive stope design for LT008.
• Specify the dimensions of stopes, pillars, and extrac�on sequence.
• Include detailed plans for pillar extrac�on and stope sequencing to op�mize ore
recovery and minimize dilu�on.
• Develop a monthly produc�on schedule un�l the en�re level is depleted.
• Specify the how it will take to deplete the level.
• Determine the monthly revenue and profit expected per month (i.e. monthly cashflow
for the en�re life of the level.)
4. Drill and Blast Opera�ons:
• Outline the drill and blast opera�ons required for stope prepara�on and ore
extrac�on.
• Specify drilling paterns, hole sizes, explosive types, and blas�ng sequences.
5. Load and Haul Requirements:
• Determine the equipment and procedures for loading and hauling ore from the stopes
to the surface.
• Specify the types and capaci�es of loaders, trucks, and haulage routes.
6. Backfill Opera�ons:
• Develop a backfilling strategy to ensure the stability of excavated stopes and minimize
subsidence.

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 • Evaluate different backfill materials and methods and select the most efficient method
of backfill.
• Specify the equipment, logis�cs, and quality control measures for backfill placement.
7. Report
• Produce a high-quality technical report: The format and language as per Engineering
Faculty’s “Style Guide for Theses and Disserta�ons”.
• Report should include an introduc�on which clearly gives the background of the
project and details what the report will cover.
• Conclusions which summarise key findings of the project.
8. Referencing
• Cite all sources as per Harvard referencing style.
• Provide a reference list as per Harvard referencing style.

GROUP WORK:

In group work, each member takes the lead on a specific sec�on of the project while also
contribu�ng to all other sec�ons. Put simply, full par�cipa�on entails adding value to every
part of the project, including taking charge of at least one aspect of the report. Students are
expected to report on the contribu�on of each member in the group.

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Criteria Good Average Poor Weight
(out of 120)
1. Mining Clear selection of the most Suitable method chosen Method selection 5%
Method suitable method with detailed with some reasoning lacks clarity or (6 points)
reasoning. provided. reasoning.
(12 - 15 points) (7 - 11 points) (0 - 6 points)
2. Development Thorough design ensuring Adequate design for Incomplete or unsafe 20%
Required for efficiency and safety, access with some detail design lacking (24 points)
Stope Access accompanied by precise CAD in drawings and necessary detail.
drawings and specifications specifications. (9 - 5 points)
matching equipment and (14 - 10 points)
production needs.
(19 - 15 points)

3. Stope Design Comprehensive design Sufficient design with Incomplete or 20%

and Mining optimizing ore recovery and some optimization, ineffective design with (24 points)
Sequence dilution control, with clear somewhat clear unclear plans and
mining sequence and sequence and schedule. sequencing.
production schedule. (19 - 15 points) (14 - 10 points)
(24 - 20 points)

4. Drill and Blast Well-outlined drill and blast Adequate description of Incomplete or unclear 15%
Operations operations specifying patterns, operations with some description lacking (18 points)
sizes, explosives, and detail in specifications. necessary detail.
sequences accurately. (13 - 10 points) (9 - 5 points)
(18 - 15 points)

5. Load and Carefully determined Determined Insufficient or unclear 15%

Haul equipment and procedures for requirements with some requirements lacking (18 points)
Requirements loading and hauling, with clear detail in specifications. necessary detail.
specifications for loaders, (13 - 10 points) (9 - 5 points)
trucks, and haulage routes.
(18 - 15 points)

6. Backfill Well-developed strategy Developed strategy with Incomplete or 5%

Operations ensuring stope stability and some optimization, ineffective strategy (6 points)
subsidence minimization, with clarity in material and lacking necessary
efficient material and method method selection, and detail.
selection, and clear equipment equipment (2 - 1 point)
and logistics specifications. specifications. (4 - 3
(6 - 5 points) points)

7. Report High-quality technical report Report meets most Report does not meet 10%
meeting all requirements with requirements but may requirements for (12 points)
proper formatting, language, have some formatting, language,
introduction, conclusions, and inconsistencies or lack or referencing style.
referencing style. depth in sections. (4 - 7 points)
(12 - 15 points) (8 - 11 points)

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Criteria Good Average Poor Weight
(out of 120)
8. Referencing All sources properly cited and Most sources cited and Sources not properly 10%
listed according to the Harvard listed correctly but with cited or listed (12 point)
referencing style. some missing or according to the
(6 - 5 points) incorrectly formatted Harvard referencing
citations. style.
(4 - 3 points) (2 - 1 point)