1. What are the processes for developing a new mine in Western Australia?
2. Schedule production for the mine detailed below to optimize copper concentrate at minimum mining cost using a maximum of five stopes operating at a time. Assume each month consists of 21 operating days. The mine has the following stopes with the characteristics as outlined.
|
Stope
|
Available
|
Stope Reserves (tonnes)
|
Stope Performance (tonnes/day)
|
Stope Grade
% Cu
|
Mining Cost
|
|
K1
|
Now
|
19,000
|
85
|
9.8
|
8.35
|
|
K2
|
Now
|
28,000
|
115
|
8.7
|
6.15
|
|
K3
|
1 Month
|
60,000
|
300
|
4.2
|
3.60
|
|
K4
|
Now
|
90,000
|
285
|
4.0
|
4.10
|
|
K5
|
2 Months
|
300,000
|
560
|
3.4
|
2.45
|
|
L1
|
Now
|
47,000
|
300
|
7.6
|
5.10
|
|
L2
|
Now
|
97,000
|
400
|
3.3
|
3.66
|
|
L3
|
6 Months
|
500,000
|
900
|
3.5
|
2.00
|
|
L4
|
8 Months
|
430,000
|
800
|
4.1
|
2.90
|
|
L5
|
Now
|
150,000
|
240
|
7.9
|
4.86
|
|
M1
|
9 Months
|
655,000
|
1,600
|
2.9
|
1.51
|
|
M2
|
3 Months
|
175,000
|
1,000
|
5.3
|
2.80
|
The following describes a selection of mineral deposits. For the deposit the candidate chooses the candidate is required to select a suitable mining method for the deposit based on the information given and to describe the mining system in detail. For whichever mineral deposit is selected the candidate should include in their answer the following as required:
1. Describe suitable surface connection(s).
2. Detail development requirements
3. Detail Production requirements including a full description of the method selected.
4. Number of production unit's required/rate of production.
5. Describe loading/haulage requirements
6. Equipment
7. Briefly describe ventilation/drainage/power requirements
8. Personnel
9. Safety
10.Detail permitting and other requirements as required by the local regulator (students can select which jurisdiction the mine is located in from any Australian state or territory)
Students should also report on other salient points as required by the mining system. 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.