Pit Limits

University of Alberta
MINE 325 Mine Planning and Design
MINE 325
Mine Planning
Lec15
L
15 Pit Limits
Li it I
Manual Method
Lec15-2
Ultimate or Final Pit Limits (1/5)

Size and shape of mineable reserves and
associated waste materials to be excavated

based on:
Technical , Economical , Safety constraints
It is used in:
The economic potential of a mineral deposit.
Financing and Taxation.
Short and long term mine plans.
The boundaries outside which mine plant and
structures should be located.
Lec16_1
Lec15-3
Pit Limits (2/5)
Lec15-4
Pit Limits (3/5)
Lec16_2
Lec15-5
Pit Limits (4/5)
Lec15-6
Final Pit Limit method (5/5)

Manual method
Computer
C
t methods
th d (2D,
(2D 3D)
Manual methods are based on sections
Involve Stripping Ratios (SR)
Three stripping ratios which can be defined:
Overall Stripping Ratio

Incremental (Instantaneous) Stripping Ratio
Break-even or maximum Stripping Ratio
Lec16_3
MINE 325
Mine Planning
Stripping Ratio
Lec15-8
Stripping Ratios (1/6)

Overall stripping ratio is the ratio of the total
tonnage of waste divided by the total tonnage of

ore contained in the final pit (SRo)
Incremental stripping ratio (or instantaneous
stripping ratio)is the ratio of waste tonnage to

ore tonnage as a result of expanding the pit by a
unit volume (ISR)
Break-even stripping ratio is the ratio of waste
tonnage to ore tonnage where the cost of the

waste removal exactly equals the value of the
mineral (BESR or SRmax)
Lec16_4
Lec15-9
Stripping Ratios (2/6)

SRo and ISR are physical ratios
BESR is an economic ratio
BESR will change depending on
grades, costs and revenues
Lec15-10
Stripping ratio (3/6)

The volume of the contained ore is expressed by
V r 2h
where
r is the ore radius
h is the ore thickness.
Lec16_5
Lec15-11

Chapter 4 pages 45 to 49
h r.tan
H c h h h r tan
Hc
h
r
tan tan
Truncated tip
1
Vtip r 2 h
3
Fully circumscribed cone
1
V R2 Hc
3
Mined volume (ore + waste)
1
1
Vm V Vtip R 2 H c r 2 h
3
3
Lec15-12

Mined volume (ore + waste)
1
1
Vm V Vtip R 2 H c r 2 h
3
3
Volume of waste
Vw Vm r 2 h
SR
Waste(volume)
Ore(volume)
SR (overall )
Vw Vm r 2 h
Vo
r 2h
Lec16_6
Lec15-13

MINE 325
Mine Planning
Final
a Pitt Limits
ts
Manual Method
Lec16_7
Lec15-15
Manual Method
Basic Concepts - Sectional Calculation
Net Value = Gross Value Total Cost
waste
$NV = $GV - $TC

0.6% Cu
1 ton of Ore
(0.6% Cu)
ISR = 2:1
BESR = 3.2:1
the density of ore and waste is the

same, the ISR is the ratio of the
length in ore to the length in waste.
3.2 tons of
waste
$NV = Cost of Stripping
Lec15-16
Manual Method
Basic Concepts - Sectional Calculation
waste
0.6% Cu
ISR = 2:1
BESR = 3.2:1
Actual Stripping
Ratios
Allowable
Stripping Ratios
Pit Limit is adjusted until:

ISR = BESR
Lec16_8
Lec15-17
Manual Method
Basic Concepts - Both Walls in Waste
Usually the width of cross

section is assigned to each side
(
(area
off influence
i fl
off section).
ti )
Shape is moved vertically and
horizontally on section until both
sides fit the SR-Grade Curve
Lec15-18
Manual Method
Sectional Calculation -Variable Grades
Each block or polygon has a
grade associated with itit.
Multiple layers
of overburden
type material
can complicate
the sectional
calculation
Calculation of average grade in the ore is

a length weighted average grade.
Each side is done independently.
Lec16_9
Lec15-19
Hand Method
The Basic Concept - Example
Ore Net Value

$NV = $GV - $TC = $1.90 / unit volume
Cost of stripping waste is $1/unit volume
Lec15-20
Hand Method the Basic Concept

Example- Strip 1
The volumes are:
Strip 1:
Vw1 7.5u 3
Vo1 5.0u 3
The instantaneous stripping ratio (ISR) is defined as:
ISR1
ISR1 1.5
Vwl
Vol
Assuming that the net value from selling one unit volume of ore (that money
remaining after all expenses have been paid) is $1.90
cost for mining and disposing of the waste is $1/unit volume, the net value
for strip I is
NV1 5.0 x $1.90 - 7.5 x $1 = $2.00
Lec16_10
Lec15-21

Example- Strip 2
Strip 2:
Vw 2 = 8.4u 3
Vo 2 = 5.0u 3
ISR2 = 1.68
NV2 = 5.0 x $1.90 - 8.4 x $1 = $1..10
Lec15-22

Example- Strip 3
Strip 3:
Vw3 = 9.45u 3
Vo 3 = 5.0u 3
ISR3 = 1.89
For strip 3, the net value is just about

zero This pit position is termed
zero.
'breakeven' since the costs involved in
mining the strip just equal the revenues.
NV3 = 5.0 x $1.90 - 9.45 x $1 = $0.05 0
It is the location of the final pit wall.
Lec16_11
Lec15-23

Example- Strip 4
Strip 4:
Vw 4 = 10.5u 3
Vo 4 = 5.0u 3
ISR4 = 2.1
NV4 = 5.0 x $1.90 - 10.5 x $1 = -$1.0
Lec15-24
Hand Method
Example final pit
ISR = BESR
Lec16_12
Lec15-25

The overall stripping ratio (OSR) for this section is calculated as
OSR
waste
t area A
ore area
B
OSR = 0.8
Lec15-26

how to find the final pit outline?
Lec16_13
Lec15-27

Basic steps in determining pit limits
the
1.
2.
3.
4.
following basic steps involved in

determining pit limits remain the same:
A slice is selected.
The contained value is compared with the
costs.
If the net value is positive, the pit can be
expanded.
d d If negative,
ti
th pit
the
it contracts.
t t
The final pit position is where the net value
of the slice is zero.
ISR = BESR
Lec15-28
MINE 325
Mine Planning
Manuall Method
M
M th d
Net Value Calculation
Lec16_14
Lec15-29
Cutoff Grades
The term cutoff grades refers to grades
ffor which
hi h th
the destination
d ti ti off materials
t i l
changes
Cutoff grade is the grade at which the
mineral resource can no longer be
processed at a profit.
The break even cutoff grade is defined
as the grade for which the net value is
zero
Lec15-30
Manual Method
Example Copper Deposit
Find the Min and

Max grade in the
section
Lec16_15
Lec15-31

to construct a net value grade curve
1. Compute the amount of saleable product
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
copper (lb/s
(lb/s.tt of ore)
Calculate the gross value (GV) for the ore ( $/ s.t)
Calculate the associated costs (TC) ($/s.t)
Calculate the net value per ton of ore
Net Value = GV TC
Calculate the net value per ton of ore for another
ore grade
Construct a net value grade curve
Lec15-32

to construct a net value grade curve
7. determine the breakeven cutoff grade

8. Developing a stripping ratio grade
curve
9. Presenting the final curves
10. Finding the location of pit limits
Lec16_16
Lec15-33
Manual Method
Creating a Net Value to Grade Curve
Net value must include all recoveries/losses
due to processing
Consider the following example:
Mill recovery = 80%
Mill concentrate grade = 20%
Smelting loss = 10 lbs/st of conc.
Refining loss = 5 lbs/st of copper
Calculations for 0.55% Cu
Mining cost $1 / ton
Lec15-34
Manual method
Creating a Net Value to Grade Curve
It will be assumed that
Pit slopes:
l
Left hand side = 50 degrees

Right hand side = 40 degrees
Minimum width of the pit bottom = 100 ft;

Material densities:
Ore = 165 lb/cu-ft

Waste rock = 165 lb/cu-ft
Overburden =165 lb/cu-ft;
Lec16_17
Lec15-35
Manual Method
Net Value to Grade Curve
loss = 10 lbs/st
of concen
Mill recovery = 80%
Mine
Mill
Ore
weight
1 st = 2000lb
Concentrator
2000lb
0.55%
20%
lbs cu
11.0
8.8
45.45 tons
233.1 tons
Refinery
Smelter
concentrate
grade
loss = 5 lbs/st of
Blister copper
blister copper
copper
2000lb
8.58
8.56
Copper price $1 / lb
By product $1.77 / st ore
Mining cost $1 / ton
Lec15-36
Manual Method Creating a

Net Value to Grade Curve
Mill recovered Quantity of Metal = Contained copper * recovery
0.55% Cu 11 lb/st * recoveryy = 8.8 lb/st

Mill produces 20% concentrate
Conc. Ratio = 400 lb/st conc / 8.8 lb ore = 45.45 tons of ore
Means that ~45 tons of ore produces 1 ton conc.
Smelter loses 10 lb/st conc = 0.22 lb/ore
Smelter Recovered copper = 8.8 0.22 = 8.58 lb
Refinery recovery = 2000 lb copper/ 8.58 lb copper/st ore
= 233.1 tons ore
Refining losses are 5lb/ton copper therefore loss of 0.02 lb of
copper
Refinery Recovered copper = 8.56 lb Cu / ton of ore
Lec16_18
Lec15-37
Manual method Creating a Net

Value to Grade Curve
Copper
pp is $1.00 / lb other recovered
minerals (Au, Ag etc) total $1.77/ton
$
of
ore
Revenue =
8.56lb * $1.00 + $1.77 = $10.33/ ton
Lec15-38

Costs:
Production costs:
Mining
$1.00/ton,
Milling
$2.80/ton,
Administration (15% of m&m) $0.57
Total production costs
$4.37
Amortization and depreciation costs / ton ore
20% of production costs per ton ore = $0.87
Treatment, refining, selling costs =
$2.59
Lec16_19
Lec15-39

Total costs of $7.83/ ton ore
For 0.55% grade copper,
Net Value = Revenue Costs =
$10.33 - $7.83 = $2.50
Lec15-40
Net Value Curve

5.00
4 00
4.00
y = 1556.1x - 6.064
Net Value ($ / ton of ore)
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
0.00%
0.20%
0.40%
0.60%
0.80%
1.00%
-1.00
-2.00
-3.00
-4.00
Cu Grade
Lec16_20
Lec15-41
Net Value Curve

Based on total costs of
$7.83/ton of ore
5.00
4.00
Net Selling Price of $1.00/lb

for the copper
Value
0.55
$2.50
0.37
-$0.31
%CU
y = 1556.1x - 6.064
3.00
2.00
Break Even
Grade
1.00
0.00
0.00%
0.20%
0.40%
0.60%
0.80%
1.00%
-1.00
Knowing
g the cost of waste
removal, the curve can be
converted to a stripping ratio
grade curve
-2.00
-3.00
-4.00
Cu Grade
Lec15-42
Net Value Curve

5.00
Cost of stripping is $1.00/ton

$1 00/ton
BESR =
Net Value/ Stripping cost
y = 1556.1x - 6.064
Stripping ratios added to the

curve.
4.00
3.00
3:1
2.00
2:1
1.00
1:1
0.5:1
0.00
0.00%
-1.00
0.20%
0.40%
0.60%
0.80%
1.00%
Minimum Value
-2.00
-3.00
-4.00
Cu Grade
Minimum value is the cost of moving a ton of waste
Lec16_21
Lec15-43
Sectional Calculation
Variable Grades-Example
Lec15-44
Manual method
Stripping ratios and average grades are
evaluated usually by direct measurement of

the lengths of the slope in ore and waste
A final pit slope angle is chosen based on
geotechnical considerations
Lec16_22
Lec15-45
Sectional Calculation - G1
Variable Grades-Example Contd
Lec15-46
Sectional Calculation G1
ISR
130 296
SR ( actual )
1.79 :1;
238
BESR
SR ( allowable) 6.2 :1;
Conclusion: expand pit
Lec16_23
Lec15-47
Lec15-48
Lec16_24
Lec15-49
Sectional Calculation Line G2

SR (actual )
130 385
3.3 :1
156
SR ( allowable) 5.6 :1
Conclusion: expand pit
Lec15-50

Lec16_25
Lec15-51

SR (actual )
130 443
5.51:1
104
SR (allowable) 3.9 :1
Conclusion: contract pit
Lec15-52
Sectional Calculation - Line G4

Lec16_26
Lec15-53

SR ( actual )
130 435
5.43 :1
104
SR (allowable) 5.4 :1
Conclusion: Final Pit
Lec15-54
Sectional Calculations
Pit is outlined on
each section.
Number of sections
required will depend
on the complexity and
shape of the deposit.
Typically 8-20
sections are used.
Lec16_27
Lec15-55
Transfer to Plans
Pit top and bottom are
transferred to a p
plan view and
the surface intersects
connected.
The ends must be done
separately. At the pit ends a
stripping wedge is calculated
to complete the design.
Sections
Lec15-56
Radial Section at Pit End
Lec16_28
Lec15-57
Parallel section
radial section
Lec15-58
Lec16_29
Lec15-59
Measured SR (for Radial Section)

b
a = length in ore
b = length in waste
=slope angle
a*cos
Plan View
B
b*cos
A
includes angle
of the wedge
Lec15-60
True SR (for Radial Section)

The angles cancel out in the equation
Area A = (a*cos)
(a*cos)2 * / 2
2
Area B = [((a+b)*cos )2 - (a*cos )2] * / 2
SR (true) = B/A
=[(a+b)2-a2] / a2 = (1 + b/a)2 1
SR (true) = [1 + SR(measured)]
-1
Lec16_30
Lec15-61
Pit Ends
Create a graph of Measured vs True SR
Measure
M
the
th SR on th
the section
ti
Find the true SR from the graph
Use the SR-Grade curve to adjust the
position of the line
Lec15-62
True vs Measured SR Curve

True vs Measured
Stripping Ratio
Measured
True
16 00
16.00
0.00
0.00
0.25
0.56
12.00
0.50
1.25
10.00
0.75
2.06
1.00
3.00
6.00
1.25
4.06
4.00
1.50
5.25
2.00
8.00
2.50
11.25
3.00
15.00
True SR
14.00
8.00
2.00
0.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
Measured SR
Lec16_31

Pit Limits

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Pit Limits

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

University of Alberta

MINE 325 Mine Planning and Design

Ultimate or Final Pit Limits (1/5)

associated waste materials to be excavated

Pit Limits (2/5)

Pit Limits (3/5)

Pit Limits (4/5)

Final Pit Limit method (5/5)

Manual methods are based on sections

Involve Stripping Ratios (SR)

Three stripping ratios which can be defined:

Overall Stripping Ratio

Stripping Ratios (1/6)

tonnage of waste divided by the total tonnage of

Incremental stripping ratio (or instantaneous

stripping ratio)is the ratio of waste tonnage to

Break-even stripping ratio is the ratio of waste

tonnage to ore tonnage where the cost of the

Stripping Ratios (2/6)

grades, costs and revenues

Stripping ratio (3/6)

Stripping ratio (4/6)

Mined volume (ore + waste)

Stripping ratio (5/6)

Stripping ratio (6/6)

$NV = $GV - $TC

the density of ore and waste is the

Pit Limit is adjusted until:

Usually the width of cross

Calculation of average grade in the ore is

Ore Net Value

Cost of stripping waste is $1/unit volume

Hand Method the Basic Concept

The instantaneous stripping ratio (ISR) is defined as:

NV1 5.0 x $1.90 - 7.5 x $1 = $2.00

Hand Method the Basic Concept

Hand Method the Basic Concept

For strip 3, the net value is just about

NV3 = 5.0 x $1.90 - 9.45 x $1 = $0.05 0

It is the location of the final pit wall.

Hand Method the Basic Concept

Hand Method the Basic Concept

Hand Method the Basic Concept

Hand Method the Basic Concept

following basic steps involved in

Find the Min and

Net Value Calculation

Net Value Calculation

7. determine the breakeven cutoff grade

Left hand side = 50 degrees

Minimum width of the pit bottom = 100 ft;

Ore = 165 lb/cu-ft

Mill recovery = 80%

Manual Method Creating a

0.55% Cu 11 lb/st * recoveryy = 8.8 lb/st

Manual method Creating a Net

Manual method Creating a Net

Manual method Creating a Net

Net Value Curve

Net Value ($ / ton of ore)

Net Value Curve

Net Selling Price of $1.00/lb

Net Value ($ / ton of ore)

Net Value Curve