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Mining Method Selection

Classic Room and Pillar Sublevel Stoping Vertical Crater Retreat

Cut and Fill Stoping Sublevel Caving Block Caving

The Selection of a Mining System

Traditionally, the selection of a mining system (Peele, 1934)


involves three separate but closely related subjects:

classification of ore deposits,

classification of mining methods, and

selection of a mining method

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Nicholas (1981) has proposed a numerical system to assist in the
selection of a mining method.

The purpose of the system is primarily to indicate those methods that


will be most effective given the geometry/grade distribution and rock
mechanics characteristics rather than to choose the final method.

The system will allow miners/engineers to focus on the


characteristics important for the mining methods being considered.

The top candidates from this initial screening process would then
progress further for more in depth studies.

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The technique involves the use of four tables (Tables 9-12).

The selection process has two steps:

In step 1, the characteristics of the deposit are defined


(Tables 9 and 10)

In step 2, using the characteristics of the deposit defined


in Step 1, values are selected from tables 11 and 12.

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Each mining method has been ranked as

Preferred: the characteristic is preferred for the mining


method

Probable: if the characteristic exists, the mining method can


be used

Unlikely: if the characteristic exists, it is unlikely that the


mining method would be applied, but does not
completely rule out the method

Eliminated: if the characteristic exists, then the mining method


could not be used

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with regard to the suitability of its geometry/ grade distribution
(Table 11),

and the rock mechanics characteristics of the


(a) ore zone (Table 12a),
(b) hanging wall (Table 12b)
(c) footwall (Table 12c)

The values assigned


to each rank are
listed in Table 13.

The value selected for the 'eliminated' rank was chosen so that if the
sum of the characteristic values equaled a negative number the
method would be eliminated.
A zero value was chosen for the 'unlikely' rank because it does not
add to the chance of using the method, but neither does it eliminate
the method.
The values used for the 'probable' and 'preferred' were chosen so
that the characteristics for one parameter could be ranked within a
mining method and between mining methods (Nicholas, 1981).

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In practice. for each method the appropriate points are recorded for
each of the following categories:

general shape,
ore thickness,
ore plunge,
grade distribution,
rock substance strength -ore, hangingwall and footwall,
fracture spacing -ore, hangingwall and footwall. and
fracture strength -ore, hangingwall and footwall.

The totals are then formed and the candidates with the highest
number of points selected for further study.

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Ore Evaluations

One method of determining the value of the ore is to multiply the


metal content by the unit price for that mineral.

For example, 1 ton of rock with a 2 % copper grade contains 40 lb of


copper.

Multiply the copper content by a price of $0.70 per lb to determine


that the metal would be worth approximately $28/ton.

However, putting such a price tag on a ton of rock is a


misconception.

There is along and costly procedure before the chalcopyrite becomes


a marketable product, all of which are costs that have to be borne by
revenue from metal sales.

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From a mining viewpoint, the value is more appropriately defined
after all costs for processes following the mining have been deducted
from the market value.

In this way, a value can be calculated for the crude ore delivered to
the surface plant.

This value should suffice to cover the operating cost in the mine,
while giving an acceptable return on the investment.

In comparing mining methods, the point of delivery can be brought


one step closer to the solid rock.

An underground mine requires certain facilities and general services,


no matter what mining method is applied.

These include hoisting, water drainage, general haulage, etc.

When the costs for these common services are deducted, the value
can be calculated for ore delivered from the particular mining
operation, providing an improved basis for the comparison of the
mining methods.

To illustrate this reasoning, a practical example has been designed.

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1) Metal content * unit price for that mineral

(1 ton) * (2000 lb/ton) * (2% Cu) = 40 lb Cu/ton

(40 lb Cu/ton) * (0.70 $/lb) = $28/ton ore

2) Calculate the value of a ton of ore in the stope

a) With a unit price of $0.70 per lb, the sale price is $1400 per ton
copper. A mine normally delivers its product to a smelter, upgraded
to a concentrate of about 25% copper. The smelter treats and refines
the concentrate, incurring certain costs and minor losses due to
imperfections in the process. The smelter services can be applied as a
cost charged to the concentrate. Assuming a smelter charge of $77/t,
the value of the concentrate delivered to the smelter becomes:

Sale price refined Cu = $1400/ton refined Cu


smelter concentrate = 25% Cu
smelter charge = $77/ton

(0.25* $1400) -$77 = $273/ton concentrate

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b) Costs for transporting the concentrate from the mill to the smelter
must be deducted.

These costs are dependent upon the means of transportation and the
distance, and they must be calculated for each individual case.

Assuming a cost of $18 per ton, the concentrate is worth $255/t at the
mill or dressing plant:

$18/ton transportation costs

$273 -$18 = $255/ton concentrate

c) With a theoretical grade of 2.0% copper in the solid ore


underground, a 10% waste admixture is unavoidable, regardless of
the mining method used.

Therefore, the actual grade of the run-of-mine ore is:

(0.9* 2% Cu) +(0.1 * 0% Cu) / (0.9 + 0.1) = 1.8% Cu/ton

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d) In the mill, the ore is concentrated to 25.0% copper, and a minor
amount of the metal is lost in the tailings.

Assuming that the tailings contain 0.1% copper, the production of the
25.0% concentrate requires an ore-to-concentrate ratio of:

0.25/(0.018 - 0.001) = 14.7 ore-to-concentrate ratio

This means that 14.7 tons of ore are required to produce 1 ton of
concentrate.

e) If the milling costs are $4.54 per ton, the value of the crude ore at
the surface becomes :

($255/14.7) - $4.54 = $12.80/ton

f) Deducting a cost of $2.50/t for the general mine installation and


services results in a final value for the ore in the stope:

$12.80- $2.50 = $10.30/ton ore in the stope

This value must cover the direct mining costs, leaving a balance that
supports the investment in the mining venture.

Compare this value of $10.30/ton to the initial value of $28/ton


calculated.

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Mining Costs and Ore Values (Hans Hamrin, 1982)

In selecting a mining method, the anticipated cost of mining exerts a


major influence.

However, there are considerations other than simply finding the least
costly procedure of excavating the rock.

The characteristics and advantages of different mining methods also


must be considered.

For example, a method known to require more labor than another


may allow selective mining, thus producing ore of a higher grade and
yielding a more valuable product.

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This reasoning can be supported by an example where sublevel
stoping is compared to cut-and-fill mining.

a) Run-of-mine Cu Grade

Assume that a theoretical grade of 2.2% copper has been calculated from the core
logs.

Assuming a 10% waste admixture is included for cut-and-fill mining cut and fill
mining, the expected average grade in the material from a cut-and-fill stope
becomes:

(0.9*2.2 +0.1*0.0) = 2.0% Cu run-of-mine (cut-and-fill)

The sublevel stoping layout incorporates an estimated 15% of extra material,


assumed to have a grade of 0.5% copper. So, the average grade for this method
becomes:

10% waste dilution at 0.0% Cu


15% waste dilution at 0.5% Cu

(0.75*2.2 +0.1*0.0 + 0.15*0.5) = 1.7% Cu run-of-mine (sublevel stoping)

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b) Ore to concentrate ratio
Assume 25.0% copper in the concentrate and 0.10% copper in the tailings.

Cut and fill


0.25/(0.02-0.001) = 13.2 ton ore / ton concentrate

Sub-level stoping
0.25/(0.017-0.001) = 15.6 ton ore / ton concentrate

c) Using an ore value of $255/ton of concentrate, the value of the ore produced by
the two methods compares as follows:

Cut and fill


255/13.2 = $19.32 /ston

Sub-level stoping
255/15.6 = $16.35$/ston

The difference is $2.97/t, in favor of the cut-and-fill mining method. This


difference is of a magnitude that may compensate for the higher mining costs
incurred with the cut-and-fill method.

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