Study information

Mine Planning and Design - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEMine Planning and Design CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSMM153 MODULE CONVENERDr Lewis Meyer (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 10 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 25
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Effective planning and design of surface or underground mine is crucial to their economic success, and commercially available design software has become a key part in this process.

This module commences with a review of mine planning requirements, input data required for design of surface or underground mining operations including geotechnical and economic parameters.

The module will provide you an overview of present mining planning practice and mine method selection.

The module will provide you an understanding of mine cut-off grade determination and present industrial mine design techniques and the latest developments in project optimisation.

The module will give you knowledge relating to use of mine design software for both surface and underground excavations.

We will determine suitable cut-off grades, the economic ultimate open pits limits using optimization algorithms such as industrial standard Lerchs-Grossman, and the layout of underground mine design.

The module will then look at the mine scheduling process, the requirements for mine studies and reporting codes.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module gives you specialist analysis and computer-based design skills associated with mining design and scheduling.

It also provides problem-solving skills and provides simulated industrial experience. Where appropriate, we will use case history information to emphasise important aspects associated with mine optimisation and its influence on design.

Furthermore, we will use computer-based tutorials and practical design exercises to emphasise and consolidate key aspects for surface and underground mine design and scheduling.

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Assess critically the use of mine planning techniques.

2. Evaluate critically the role and limitations of mine design and planning methods.
 
3. Assess critically the data requirements for mine design, including considerations of data variability and risk assessment.
 
4. Choose an appropriate mining method for varying resource size, geometry and geotechnical conditions.
 
 
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge
 
 
 
5. Evaluate and apply knowledge to specific design tasks.
 
6. Choose appropriate design from critical evaluation of available data.
 
7. Undertake synthesis of information and create responses based on advanced knowledge.
 
 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

8. Enhance and refine data-assessment and software based design, presentation skills.
 
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction

Review of present mine planning and design practices, the input parameters in mine design ad mining method selection. The requirements for mine planning from scoping to feasibility level study, reserve and reserve reporting. A review of operating mines planning requirements; short, medium and long term planning.

 

Economic and Geotechnical Design Input Parameters

Review the geotechnical and economic inputs that drive both surface and underground mine design.

 

Mine Design

Review of current practice and the use of mine design software, its capabilities and limitations.

 

Optimisation Techniques

Review mine optimisation techniques currently available for open pit and underground optimisation, such as the floating stope and Lerch Grossman algorithms. Critically review the present limitations of stope design and optimisation.

 

Cut-off Grade

The role of cut-off grade, cut-off grade optimisation and variable cut-off grade where mining, processing or market constraints are present.

 

Mine Scheduling

Look at common practice, scheduling to increase Net present value of the project, the use of stockpiling.

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 36 Guided Independent Study 114 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 24 Lectures delivering main syllabus
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 12 Workshop/IT Tutorial
Guided independent study 114 Independent study, including directed learning on specific topics and completion of assessments

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Initial Software Training Tutorial exercises - 28 hours 1, 5, 6 Verbal

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 50 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination – provides a summative assessment of module content with questions requiring in depth knowledge of specific aspects of the module 50 2 hrs 1-4 Examination mark reported back through tutor system
Individual Assignment, Design report (10 pages). 50 Design report, supporting tables and example calculations, spreadsheets, diagram etc in a short report (3,000 word eqivalent). 1-7 Written feedback sheet with comments

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Summative Assessment Additional Summative Assessment As Above Aug Ref/Def Period
Examination Additional Examination As Above Aug Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

https://www.deswik.com/resources/

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Hartman H.H., Mutmansky, J.M. Introductory Mining Engineering Wiley 2002
Set McPherson M.J Subsurface Ventilation and Environmental Engineering Chapman and Hall 1992
Set Hustrulid WA Underground Mining Methods Handbook SME 1982
Set Lane KA The Economic Definition of Ore: Cut-off Grades in Theory and Practice 1988
Set SME SME Mining Engineering Handbook 3rd 2011
Set SME SME Underground Mining Methods Handbook 1982
Set Gertsch R E and Bullock R L Techniques in Undergoud Mining 1998
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 2nd February 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mine Design, Mine Planning, Cut-off grade and Optimisation.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.