Surface Mine: Design, Planning, and Management of Mine Contracts

ZAMBIA (LUSAKA):
MALI (BAMAKO):
NAMIBIA (WINDHOEK):
GHANA (ACCRA);

Course Brief

This course introduces the delegate to the basic principles of mine design and planning in the surface mining environment. The course begins with the fundamental principles of strategic and tactical. On the other end of the scale, mining is no longer just about maximising NPV but must also consider the company’s social licence to operate – meaning mine planning must be now cognisant of how mining operations affect communities (social), the environmental and governance matters.

A vast number of mining projects fail to achieve their projected targets of tonnes or head grade, timing to full production or metal produced and recovered. This course prepares the delegate to address many of the short comings found in surface mine design and planning.

This course is suitable for not just planning personnel, but other technical specialist and production personnel as mean to better understand mining operations and the impact that mining decision can impact on the full mining value chain. The course focuses on the entire mine process to ensure maximum value is achieved. For example, selection of proper cut-off grades, mine to mill optimisation and enterprise value add.

The delegate learns of the key principles of mine design, linked to equipment performance and best operating principles. Delegates are taught simple financial evaluation skills so as to better understand the implication of the mine design, e.g. Drill and Blast designs that optimise the mining chain through correct fragmentation and other outputs matched to operate issues such as safety, slope stability, and material loading. Load and Haul aspect of mine design are highlighted to promote efficient and cost-effective load and haul activities. Haul road design, construction, and maintenance is covered to highlight the impact of poor haulage and its impact on operating costs.

Recent international events have highlighted the concerns around Tailing Storage Facilities (TSFs); thus time is dedicated to the new guidelines in terms of management of TSFs.

Practical learnings will include investigating company strategy, reviewing cut-off grade estimations, metal accounting, estimation of mining losses and source of dilution and their impact on mine head grade. The influence of equipment selection, equipment productivity, and unit cost through the mining value chain of Drilling, Blasting, Loading, and Hauling is covered in detail.

The key components and inputs of technical evaluations are presented as well as conducting financial evaluations and understanding key financial terminology.

The conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserve through the mine planning process is presented and case studies highlighting some common pitfall presented. The delegate is introduced to the key aspects of the International Reporting Codes on the public reporting Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.

As Owner vs Contract mining is such an integral part of surface mining, the delegate is exposed to the advantages and disadvantage of the two mining options, as well as the applicability these two options. Practical considerations are highlighted followed by tutorials where the delegate is required to analyse the mining scenario and select a preferred operation strategy.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

MINE PLANNING STRATEGIES
TECHNICAL EVALUATIONS
MINING PLANNING AND DESIGN
INTERNATIONAL REPORTING CODES
FUNDAMENTALS AND MANAGEMENT OF MINING CONTRACTS