Question:
Design an underground mining method for extracting a massive silver/lead/ zinc deposit approximately 250 m in width and 1,500m long ranging in depth from 300m below surface to 900m below surface. Angle of dip is 70°. The deposit grades 2g/tonne silver, 1.5% lead and 2% lead. The deposit is remotely located, however an airstrip can be developed. Additionally the site is located 15km from a rail route to a suitable port facility located 500km distant and 5km from a sealed two lane road.
For economic analysis use current market prices in A$ for the commodity as required. Accurate costings are not an essential aspect to the project but some notional costings should be undertaken to illustrate the viability of the method detailed.
a. Describe suitable surface connections - shafts, declines?
b. Detail development requirements
c. Detail Production requirements including a full description of the method selected.
d. Number of production unit's required/rate of production.
e. Describe loading/haulage requirements
f. Equipment
g. Briefly describe ventilation/drainage requirements
h. Personnel
i. Safety