MRED 413 Computer Aided Mine Planning

Part A. Advancement and contribution of computers to mineral industry. Mine planning phases. Drillhole data recording, processing and calculation of composite samples. Statistical and spatial analysis of composite samples and development of digital models of the studied deposit by using the inverse distance weighting and the Kriging methods. Pit design and estimation of ultimate pit limits by using blocks economic values (Moving cone and Lerch-Grossman algorithms).

Part B. Continuous surface mining methods. Design of surface mining operations with special emphasis on lignite mines. Method selection criteria, description and performance calculation of continuous operation equipment (bucket-wheel excavator, conveyor belts, stackers). Criteria of rock diggability with a bucket-wheel excavator. Production scheduling.

Exercises: The teaching of the course includes 5 assignments and an examination: 1) Registration and processing of mining exploration drilling data (Topographic, thematic maps, drilling data, geological information). 2) Calculation, statistical and spatial analysis of composite samples. 3) Development of deposit digital model using local estimation methods and reserves and grade estimation. 4) Economic model of the deposit and determination of the optimal pit limits. 5) Pit design, production planning and calculation of the net present value of the resulting cash flows.