METALLON GOLD ZIMBABWE (PRIVATE) LIMITED

Creating a golden future

BULAWAYO MINING COMPANY (PVT) LTD

END OF MONTH REPORT

AUGUST 2017

ATTACHEE: IGNATIUS MPOFU

MINING DEPARTMENT
Table of Contents
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................... 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 3

3.0 PERSONAL FIELD EXPERIENCE ................................................................... 4

3.1 SURVEY DEPARTMENT VISIT .................................................................... 4

3.1.1 Machine familiarization ............................................................................. 4

3.1.2 Basic Traversing.......................................................................................... 5

3.1.3 Description of activities .............................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.1.4 Draughting And Interpretation Of Plans ................................................. 9

3.2 Ventilation ......................................................................................................... 11

4.0 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ......................................... 14

5.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................... 14

6.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 15

7.0 SIGNATORIES .................................................................................................... 16

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report gives a brief overview of the Survey department visit done by the student
during the month of August 2017 highlighting key areas of the aspects covered such as
roles of the department, description of the activities covered, observations made by the
student and also the challenges and recommendations for all the activities covered. The
student covered basic traversing, installation of pegs, draughting and ventilation aspects.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The survey section is under Technical service department. It is responsible for

Plan preparation.
Layouts.
Directing mining by use of survey pegs, lines and measurements.
Ensure that the plans and layouts produced are being adhered to.
Ensures that accurate underground and surface plans are produced for mining
operations, guidance and control timorously.
Provides technical information in the form of mining layouts and surface plans on
a day to day basis.
Ensures that all development and stoping activities of the mine are measured
accurately in order to determine weekly/monthly achievements.
For the purposes of pre-planning and long term planning, the Survey department
also ensures that all development ends and stopes are up to date so that
management can be able to make feasible decisions during planning.
Month end measurements done to monitor and control mining operations so as to
give informed decisions to senior management by physically taking
measurements.
The survey section also checks and signs all survey data plans for control and
compliance to mining regulations.
 Ventilation team also ensures that there is a continuous supply of fresh air to all
the underground working areas.

3.0 PERSONAL FIELD EXPERIENCE

3.1 SURVEY DEPARTMENT VISIT
3.1.1 Machine familiarization

The student started with the instruments used for basic traversing and taking survey
measurements for directing developments during peg installation.
The equipment includes
Theodolite
Tripod
Plumb bobs
Clinometers
Tape measures
Hammer and chisel
Spads
The following are some of the major equipments used and their functions:

Theodolite T16

This is the most important instrument used for accurate measurements of horizontal and
vertical angles. The instrument is setup on a tripod at approximately 1m above the
ground. After use and when moving from one peg to another the instrument must be put
back in its case correctly positioned and secured safely. The instrument should never be
left unattended and should never be transported on a tripod because that can damage the
equipment.

The following adjustments may be required

To set the vertical axis of the instrument truly vertical and to adjust the plate
bubble
 To set the telescope sighting line at right angles to the horizontal or trunnion axis
of the instrument
To set the horizontal axis at right angles to the vertical axis
To adjust the altitude bubble and vertical circle zero

Tripod
This is used to support the theodolite when traversing. The tripod is set at 1m above the
ground and its clamps are securely tightened when setting up so that there will b e no
movement during taking of readings as this can affect the results.

Plumb bobs
A plumb bob is a brass weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom that is suspended
from a string and used as a vertical reference line.

Measuring tapes
These are used to measure distances between two or more points. The 50m tape is used
for measuring long traverse distances from one peg to another and the 5m tape is used to
measure machine heights and development off-sets such as width of the drive from the
centre line to the wall.

3.1.2 Basic Traversing

Traversing is a form of a control survey that is used in a wide variety of surveys.

Traverses are a series of established stations that are linked together by the angle and
distance between adjacent points. The angles are measured by theodolites, and the
distances are measured by an EDM

Traverse networks involved placing the survey stations along a line or path of travel, and
then using the previously surveyed points as a base for observing the next point.
It is mandatory to start by carrying out a pre-task risk assessment for each and every area
to be surveyed where you identify hazards, list the risks and ensure that they are
controlled properly before progressing to work.
Pre-task risk assessment
Hazard Risk Control
Noise Ear damage Wear ear plugs
Dust Silicosis / TB Use respirators/ water
down
Bad hangings Injury Barring down
Falling from heights Injury/ death Use safety chains
at stopes

PPE/C Requirements: Safety goggles, work suits, safety shoes, gumboots, overalls and
hard hats.

Description of aactivities covered by the Student:

i. Underground surveying site set up procedure
Conduct a pre- task risk assessment.
Liaise with other employees working in the vicinity of your workplace to
avoid conflicts of interest.
Check that the pegs on the ground correspond with those on the plan.
Check that the pegs to be used have not been tampered with or disturbed by
blasting.
When establishing a new peg, make sure it is on competent ground and its
safe from future blasts or accidental disturbances.

ii. Surveying procedure:

Set up the total station or theodolite under a survey peg.
Check the plumbing and level of the machine again before starting to take
observations.
Write neatly and clearly in the field book using a pencil.
 Carry out the back check to ensure that there has been no movement of the
existing pegs before advancing the survey. Limits to be within +/-0.008mm
for distances and elevations.
Different base settings to be used for each new peg established.
The sum of each set of reduced horizontal angles shall not differ from 360 by
more than 30 seconds of arc.
The differences between the two faces left and the two face right reduced
angles shall not exceed 30 seconds of arc.
The difference between the reduced vertical angles on face left and face right
to each button shall not exceed 30 seconds of arc.

iii. Preparing to leave the working place

Check that the instrument is still in plumb and level if not repeat all
observations and measurements.
Check that all reduced angles and distances are within the limits laid
down. If not, repeat all the observations and measurements.
Check that all equipment brought into the working place is accounted for.
Check that all equipment is packed into its correct carrying bags.
The gang leader is responsible for carrying the total station/theodolite.

3.1.3 Month End Measurement

Development and stoping month-end measurement is done so as to quantify the tonnage
of ore from the underground and to calculate the advance of development ends. A list of
ends is received from the mining department, and these are then allocated to surveyors.
Contact with mining is made before proceeding underground for the miners to escort the
survey crew and make sure that the ends are accessible and safe.

Month end measurement is a survey process used:

To quantify the amount of work done which has been done during the month.
This is when the potential development and production areas are identified.
For reconciliation of mining statistics i.e. how much was extracted from the mine.
 Each section development and production figures can easily be estimated by using
these results compiled as a draft.

Preparatory Activities
Listing of development and stopping mined out areas for the month.
Updated development and stopping ends in terms of line peg extension.
Measuring equipment (5m, 30m and 50m tapes), distometer , field books.

The instruments used are:

Field book, Pencil, 30m & 50m tape measure, Clinorule, Bobs & bob tapes

Development ends Measuring

Each working place will be measured from a fixed reference point. All necessary
dimensions will be noted so that an accurate calculation of tonnages will be made.
Record the measured distances in the field book under the distance column. Check that
all the working places in the list supplied have been measured.

Stoping ends Measuring

A 30m tape is aligned through two pegs to the stope face. Offsets are then taken on either
side of the tape at 90 to the main tape at 2m intervals and the readings are booked. Two
or more different heights are then taken in order to come up with average height. The
offsets are plotted on plans and the tonnage mined is calculated. Put on the safety belt
when taking measurements at the stop face. Wear the earplugs, gloves and dust respirator
where necessary to manage the OHS risks.

Development ends Reduction

Calculate the meters advanced for the month using the development reduction format.
Plot the measured distances on the plan. Measure the distance between the previous
months date and the current months date. Check the result with calculated advance. If it
checks then the measuring and plotting was correct.
Stoping ends Reduction
Plot the measured stope faces on the plan (CAD plans). Join the strings to the previous
month face. Create another string for the level below taking the orebody orientation into
consideration. Assign elevations to the created strings e.g. footwall elevation for the level
above, hanging wall elevation for the level below. Save the string in a DXF format. In
Vulcan import the strings. Create a solid model using the two strings. Calculate the
tonnage using Vulcan software applying as SG insitu of 2, 8. Send the stope models to
geology for grade estimation.
2. Installation of pegs
Equipment used: Theodolite T1, Tripod, 5m and 100m Steel tape, Field book and bobs.
This generally involves 2 types of pegs to be installed:
a) Installation of Line Pegs
Line pegs are used to control and direct mining. Activity took place at 27L10m; 28 Level
Haulage South and at 28L10-320N Dr North. The line pegs are at least 15m away from
each other. The instrument used to install these pegs is known as a Theodolite. The first
step is to install a Front-Line Peg (FLP) which is just used to align pegs. The Theodolite
machine is set on a tripod support bar accurately vertical. The peg position is determined
and it is installed using hammer and chisel. Checking is then done to ensure there are no
errors of distance and angles. The errors must not exceed 30 seconds for angles and must
not exceed 0,008mm for distance.
b) Installation of Side Grades
Grade pegs are pegs installed on side walls to central either the inclination or declination
of any excavation such as that of drives, crosscuts, haulages, etc. These demarcate the
orebody boundaries and are also used in directing mining. Side wall grade pegs are
installed in pairs, each pair having the same elevation and set opposite one another so that
the line joining them is at right angles with the direction of the tunnel. Therefore, the
angle measured is the angle of deviation from the centre line. Sidewall grade pegs are
installed at an interval distance of 3m. The Theodolite machine is set under the line peg.

3.1.4 Draughting And Interpretation of Plans

This enabled the student to know how the measurements taken underground for
developments are then plotted on plan and layouts and how they are interpreted for
geological and mining purposes. This also included how Assay data is plotted on plan
and how it is used to delineate orebodies. This was done on a draughting film and use of
rotrin pen. Set squares, scale ruler, straight edges should be available.

Description of Draughting process or activity

Draw the grid lines in pencil at the front of the draughting film. Draw the border lines
using a 0.5mm size rotrin. The grids are to be drawn at 25m apart for a 1:200 scale.
Check the dimensions of the grids. If there is variation, adjust to the required dimensions.
If satisfied with the pencil drawn grids, draw the same grid lines at the back of the film
using a 0.25mm rotrin pen and a straight edge. The rotrin pen should be upright when
draughting. Make sure the drawn grid lines are of the same width. All the survey
draughting should be in black ink. Erase the pencil marks at the front of the film. Write
the grid coordinates on the grid line at the edge of the plan. Draw the north sign at the
right edge corner of the film. Draw the box at the bottom right corner of the film. Fill
the appropriate information e.g. level of the plan, scale and sheet number. Write the
survey system constants on the plan. Then plot any required information e.g. peg and
development offsets.

Description of Plotting process or activity

Use a sharp pencil for plotting pegs. Plot your work on the relevant plans and sections as
soon as the calculations are completed. All survey information to be neatly stencilled on
plans and sections using standard stencils. Assay results may be hand written. The
symbols used on South African mines to depict various features will be standard on all
plans. All main pegs to have their number and elevation. All offsets to be plotted and
inked on standard mine plans. All stoped areas to be indicated by bold broken lines with
dates of updating. Where there is some doubt of the accuracy of a survey, the draughting
should be done in pencil until such a time it is confirmed then it is inked.
 3.2 Ventilation

The student managed also to spent time with the Ventilation Officers of How mine. The
main objective was to conduct ventilation measurements and investigate if the mine was
complying with the company standards and legal requirements. Ventilation is the
continuous supply of fresh air to the underground system and working sites. How mine
uses mechanical ventilation system to supply fresh air to all parts of the mine, since
natural ventilation is normally inadequate and unreliable. There is use of large out-
casting/exhaust fans (45Kw) which exhaust polluted air from the mine system. Down
casting of air is through the shafts supported by Auxiliary fans which pulls the air and
directs it to the mining environments. The pulling of air by auxiliary fans is what creates
the negative pressure system, thus enabling more down casting of air. The polluted air
out-casted contains pollutants such as gases, dust and heat.

The objective of ventilation inspections done by the student were taking measurements
and investigating if the mine is complying with the company standards and legal
requirements. This is done through determination of the following parameters:

Air utilization
Leakages within the system
Temperature and humidity levels

There are three surface fans 1220 (48)* 45Kw located at the Plant, Main shaft and Hill
top fan at How South. These acts as upcasting fans and there are also three downcasting
shafts which includes the North shaft, Main shaft and South raise bored shaft. Kestrel
4000 instrument is used to measure ventilation readings at How mine such as the
temperatures, humidity, volume and velocity of air both being down casted and being up-
casted to ensure that there is a balance and low leakages within the system. The Kestrel
4000 used is shown below:
 Kestrel 4000 used for recording ventilation measurements

The air underground is further directed to different sublevel, haulages and drives by us of
pipes referred to as ventilation columns. The air circulation is also aided by raises that are
excavated from one main level to another. The ventilation parameters measured using the
Kestrel 4000 are compared with the ventilation standards shown below and
recommendations are then made basing on the results whether the ventilation conditions
are good or need to be improved.
VENTILATION STANDARDS

PARAMETER RECOMMENED MINE STANDARD

Wet bulb temperature <27.5 0C

Dry bulb temperature <32.5 0C

Velocity in workings 0.3-0.5m/s

Quantity in development ends 0.15m3/s per square meter of development

end

Downcast shaft velocity(man and 5-8m/s

materials)

Upcast shaft velocity 18.0m/s-22m/s(unsupported)

Ventilation of diesel equipment 0.06-0.12m3/s/Kw

Intake airways(declines on reef) 5m/s

Water blast distance to face (development) 15m

Exhaust intake to advancing face 20-25m

Overlap distance 6-10m

Force delivery to advancing face 10-15m

Force quantity at face 0.25m3/s/m2

Exhaust quantity at face 0.30m3/s/m2

Leakage 20%

Water pressure 150Kpa

Humidity 75%
Respirable dust 5.0mg/m3

Total dust 10mg/m3

Heat stress 170w/m2

Noise 85dbA'

4.0 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Activities done by Survey are very critical for both long term and short term mine
planning, thus the department must ensure that they update all ends and stopes in time.
This will also help in directing mining to commence within orebody limits at all times.

Survey department to have monthly training refresher programs for all the
surveyors to ensure that they are kept in rememberance of procedures and
accuracy to be done.
Procurement of tape measures to allow for more accurate results.
Ventilation recommendations brought forward to be implemented in time as the
development areas have poor ventilation leading to accumulation of gases, dust
and abnormal temperatures thus compromising safety and health of workers.

5.0 CONCLUSION
The student understood the functions and activities carried out by the Survey department.
The knowledge gained through participation, researching and reading How mine
procedures, made it easy to understand and to carry out all the objectives of the activities
on sites. The training period was completed successfully and the student has a better
knowledge on interpretation of plans, layouts and use of AutoCAD amongst many other
skills gained.
6.0 REFERENCES
How mine, SHEQ-OP-TS-01 Surveying Work Instruction Procedure-In-house document.
How mine, SHEQ-OP-TS-02Field reduction procedure Procedure-In-house document.
How mine, SHEQ-OP-TS-03 Draughting & Plotting Procedure-In-house document.
How mine, SHEQ-OP-TS-04 Monthend measurement and reduction Procedure-In-house
document.
7.0 SIGNATORIES

Trainee's signature: ................................................................

Supervisor's signature: ................................................................
Chief Surveyors signature: ................................................................
H.O.D's signature: ...............................................................
Senior Trainee Officer's: ................................................................