Mine Planning and Scheduling

Question: Discuss about theMine Planning and Scheduling. Answer: Introduction Copper is a long-standing mineral that has found use in the industrial world. The copper element shares the same group as gold and silver in the periodic table to the point of being referred to as a semi' noble metal if not a real, noble metal. [1, 2, 3, 4] Copper and its alloys are known to be among the most versatile materials available for engineering. The integration of physical properties like conductivity, ductility, machinability, resistance to corrosion and strength suggest the versatility of copper and its importance in a wide array of applications. These properties can be advanced further through variation in manufacturing and composition approaches. [5, 6, 7] The use of pure copper powder is in the electrical and electronics industry due to its excellent thermal and electrical conductivities. These, among other purposes, make copper an attractive metal for exploitation. As such, this paper details a mining design and procedure for copper at an assumed Australian desert situated at a 3,050m elevation above the sea level preferably in Southern Australia (see figure 1 in the appendices). The Surface Mining Project The site of the copper-gold-silver mine is within a desert situated at a 3,050m elevation above the sea level. Production is 46.9 Mt/y of sulfide mineral grading 1.9% copper, with copper (776,400 t), gold (129,000 oz), and silver (3.28 Moz).[8,9] Geologically, this mineral deposit is identified with three porphyry components barged in along a fault framework. Essential hydrothermal sulfide mineral grades at approximately 0.2% and 1.0% copper. [11] Weathering and rising developed a clean free-from-mineral leached top, to a thickness of 180 m, covering an enriched supergene high-grade mineral, both on top of the essential sulfides. The important sulfide mineralization incorporates pyrite, chalcopyrite, and bornite, with chalcocite and covellite within the enriched zone. A few ranges contain critical copper oxides overlying the sulfides. [12, 13] Proven and possible reserves assessed at 1,990 Mt grading 1.23%copper. Mining reserves in the initial phase totaled 662 Mt grading 2.12% copper. The stripping proportion will standard around 1.7:1 over the full existence of the venture. Partners of the project invested $500m in opening the pit. By the end of year one, 2016, 125Mt of material to be moved in the pre-stripping operations, with the first action taking place in the subsequent year 2017. The mineral is transported using conveyors to the already established treatment plants. At the same time, the sulfide leach setup, engineered to give an output of 170,000t of copper cathode each year is commissioned at $880m. The leaching process will employ bacterially assisted leaching with extraction of solvent and electrowinning for processing the copper. In situ processing is to begin in 2018. [14] Development of the project will include a futuristic investment, (2020) to employ the use of the new Organic Growth Project 1(OGP1) to allow accessibility to a higher grade mineral situated beneath the existing plants. The construction of the development plan is projected to cost $4bn. The Oxide Leach Area Project (OLAP) is a versatile mineral handling system and leaching pad that includes multiple surface conveyors. The cost of the OPAL is estimated at $750m to be commissioned in 2022. The project will employ an open-pit mining design because of its suitability in processing the sulfides and oxide minerals [15,16]. The mining equipment is made up of nine Bucyrus 495-B Erie loading shovels fitted with 50yd, 53yd and 55yd buckets, 25 Caterpillar 793B, 28 Komatsu 830-E and 24 Caterpillar 793C dump trucks, with a capacity of 218t. [13] The project uses eight49-RII electric drills and Bucyrus 49-R as well as an Ingersoll Rand DMM2 diesel drill. Blasting is done using Bulk ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) explosives. More, mineral runoff is held at the two half-dynamic, crushers in the open-pit for essential minimization before passing on to the thick metal stockpiles. The average dtripping ration will be 1.7:1 trough out the lifetime existence of the venture. A Wenco designed system will be responsible for truck dispatching and monitoring inside the open-pit, while costing control and the maintenance of equipment are accomplished with a Mincom Mine Data Management Framework (see figure 2 for a list of the equipment). [17] Concentrates of copper from the mill are channeled via a broad pipeline probably nine inches in diameter, to the Southern coastal port for dewatering and drying in preparation for export. Dock facilities, including a dedicated ship loader, are designed by Sandwell, a renowned Canadian company. Four ceramic hyperbaric filters and three Larox style PF are used in the concentrate dewatering to reduce the amount of moisture up to 9% on average, upon reaching the pipeline discharge. Treated waste is released deep into the Pacific Ocean. [8] An environmental impact assessment application was sent to the relevant authorities, and necessary permits and approvals received back. The mine is established, developed and run with compliance to the environmental and social guidelines of the International Finance Corporation. The mine is operated by a three shift personnel managing a workforce two-shift plan, each of 12 hours a day working throughout the year except during national holidays. Availability of the facility is at 95% suggesting 345 days of practical operation in a year. The cost of labour is estimated by the labour schedule assuming that qualified labour is earning an average of $2,000 a week while unqualified workforce will make a maximum of up to $780. These earnings represent the average working hours according to ABS which should be about 33hours a week. As such a high-quality management team has been created including well trained and experienced expatriates and Australians. Studies [19, 20] indicate that mining is characterized with numerous hazards possibilities which may cause injury to those in the field. Though open-pit is considered to be the safest mining design, safety measures are equally necessary. The company safety precautions are guided by the International Labor Organization C176 Safety and Health in Mines Convention guidelines as well as the Australian Nationally Consistent Mine Safety Legislation and the Southern Australia Legislation. Conclusion In conclusion, the total capital cost of the venture is projected at $1.3m. Estimations include $102m for the pipeline, pumping and desalination equipment to meet the project's water needs. Lenders to the project include Canada's Export Corporation ($300 million), Japan's Bank for International Cooperation ($500 million) and Australia's Westpac Banking Corporation ($150 million). The remaining capital is provided for by the mine owners. References Copper mining. From ore to copper.. (2016). Resources.schoolscience.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2016, from https://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/14-16/cumining/copch2pg2.html Australia, G. (2016). Copper - Mineral Fact Sheets - Australian Mines Atlas. Australianminesatlas.gov.au. Retrieved 20 October 2016, from https://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/education/fact_sheets/copper.html Digging Deeper: Mining Methods Explained. (2016). Angloamerican.com. 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