11 NOVEMBER 2016

MINING SYSTEM
HENDRA HARISMAN, ST., M.ENG.SC.
MINING SYSTEM

OPEN PIT MINING

HENDRA HARISMAN, ST., M.ENG.SC.
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING
Two major differences between open pit mining and quarries
are:
• the geological conditions and
• the demands placed on the characteristics of the blasted
material.
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING
As the initial pit is deepened, it is widened.
The pit geometry is controlled by a number of factors
including:
• orebody shape
• grade distribution
• the stability of the slopes
• the need to provide access
• operating considerations, etc.
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING

Large-scale method – production rate

– More than 60% of mineral output through surface mining
operations
– Produces more mineral resources at lower cost – low grade
metallic ores
– Highly mechanized – mass production equipment – capital
intensive with low operating cost
INTRODUCTION – OPEN PIT MINING

Metallic and non-metallic ores

Occasionally, coal and other bedded deposits

OPEN PIT MINING
Open pit mining
- top down in a series of horizontal
layers of uniform thickness /
height called benches
- Hypothetical ore body:
Before and after pit creation
OPEN PIT MINE TERMINOLOGY
OPEN PIT MINE TERMINOLOGY
OPEN PIT MINE TERMINOLOGY
OPEN PIT MINE
Bench Dimension:

• Bench height – loading equipment reach or maximum

digging/cutting height
• Bench width – fly rock, manoeuvring room for loader/excavator
and haulage units, safety berm
• Benches allow sustained or uninterrupted production
OPEN PIT MINE
Bench Dimension:
Higher and wider benches
• Less selectivity – mixing of high and low grade ores, different types of
ores
• Dilution – mixing of ore and waste
• Fewer working places – less flexibility
• Fewer equipment setups
• Improved supervision
• Higher mining momentum – large blasts, more material
• High productivities
OPEN PIT MINE
Catch benches:

• Collect material which slides from benches above

• Stop downward progress of boulders
OPEN PIT MINE
General sequence of mining:

• Mining starts at top bench and continues until the bottom

bench and the final pit outline is achieved
• A sufficient floor area must be explored before opening a
new bench
• Haul road to access benches
OPEN PIT MINE
Sequence of development:

• Land clearance
• Surface buildings location and construction
• Waste dumps location
• Topsoil stockpiles location
• Ore storage and processing facilities location
• Equipment selection and acquisition
• Advance stripping
OPEN PIT MINE
Sequence of development:

• Initial access – Initial entry in a bench – box cut

• Pit or bench expansion
• Benches and haul road design and construction
OPEN PIT MINE
Cycle of operations :

• Stripping overburden and mining ore

– Drilling
– Blasting
– Excavation/loading
– Haulage
• Soft rock – excavation and haulage
OPEN PIT MINE
Cycle of operations :

• Auxiliary operations
- Slope stability
- dust control
- pumping and drainage
- maintenance of equipment and haul road
OPEN PIT MINE
Advantages :
• High production rate and productivity
• Low cost
• Low labour requirements
• Relatively flexible
• Ideal for large equipment
• Simple development and access
• Little support requirements
• Good recovery
• Good health and safety
OPEN PIT MINE
Disadvantages :
• Depth limitations – stripping ratios
• High capital investment
• Extensive reclamation requirements
• Low cost is possible with large equipment
• Weather
• Slope stability requirements
• Waste handling
• Environmental concerns – water pollution, etc.
OPEN PIT MINE
Ore access – initial ramp:
• Hypothetical orebody

• Box cut - ramp grade and length

– Grade = 8%
– Length = 40/0.08 = 500
OPEN PIT MINE
Ore access – initial ramp:
• Hypothetical orebody
• Box cut - ramp grade and length
– Grade = 8%
– Length = 40/0.08 = 500