Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
1
Nicholas (1981) has proposed a numerical system to assist in the
selection of a mining method.
The top candidates from this initial screening process would then
progress further for more in depth studies.
2
The technique involves the use of four tables (Tables 9-12).
3
Each mining method has been ranked as
4
with regard to the suitability of its geometry/ grade distribution
(Table 11),
The value selected for the 'eliminated' rank was chosen so that if the
sum of the characteristic values equaled a negative number the
method would be eliminated.
A zero value was chosen for the 'unlikely' rank because it does not
add to the chance of using the method, but neither does it eliminate
the method.
The values used for the 'probable' and 'preferred' were chosen so
that the characteristics for one parameter could be ranked within a
mining method and between mining methods (Nicholas, 1981).
5
In practice. for each method the appropriate points are recorded for
each of the following categories:
general shape,
ore thickness,
ore plunge,
grade distribution,
rock substance strength -ore, hangingwall and footwall,
fracture spacing -ore, hangingwall and footwall. and
fracture strength -ore, hangingwall and footwall.
The totals are then formed and the candidates with the highest
number of points selected for further study.
6
7
8
9
10
11
Ore Evaluations
12
From a mining viewpoint, the value is more appropriately defined
after all costs for processes following the mining have been deducted
from the market value.
In this way, a value can be calculated for the crude ore delivered to
the surface plant.
This value should suffice to cover the operating cost in the mine,
while giving an acceptable return on the investment.
When the costs for these common services are deducted, the value
can be calculated for ore delivered from the particular mining
operation, providing an improved basis for the comparison of the
mining methods.
13
1) Metal content * unit price for that mineral
a) With a unit price of $0.70 per lb, the sale price is $1400 per ton
copper. A mine normally delivers its product to a smelter, upgraded
to a concentrate of about 25% copper. The smelter treats and refines
the concentrate, incurring certain costs and minor losses due to
imperfections in the process. The smelter services can be applied as a
cost charged to the concentrate. Assuming a smelter charge of $77/t,
the value of the concentrate delivered to the smelter becomes:
14
b) Costs for transporting the concentrate from the mill to the smelter
must be deducted.
These costs are dependent upon the means of transportation and the
distance, and they must be calculated for each individual case.
Assuming a cost of $18 per ton, the concentrate is worth $255/t at the
mill or dressing plant:
15
d) In the mill, the ore is concentrated to 25.0% copper, and a minor
amount of the metal is lost in the tailings.
Assuming that the tailings contain 0.1% copper, the production of the
25.0% concentrate requires an ore-to-concentrate ratio of:
This means that 14.7 tons of ore are required to produce 1 ton of
concentrate.
e) If the milling costs are $4.54 per ton, the value of the crude ore at
the surface becomes :
This value must cover the direct mining costs, leaving a balance that
supports the investment in the mining venture.
16
Mining Costs and Ore Values (Hans Hamrin, 1982)
However, there are considerations other than simply finding the least
costly procedure of excavating the rock.
17
This reasoning can be supported by an example where sublevel
stoping is compared to cut-and-fill mining.
a) Run-of-mine Cu Grade
Assume that a theoretical grade of 2.2% copper has been calculated from the core
logs.
Assuming a 10% waste admixture is included for cut-and-fill mining cut and fill
mining, the expected average grade in the material from a cut-and-fill stope
becomes:
18
b) Ore to concentrate ratio
Assume 25.0% copper in the concentrate and 0.10% copper in the tailings.
Sub-level stoping
0.25/(0.017-0.001) = 15.6 ton ore / ton concentrate
c) Using an ore value of $255/ton of concentrate, the value of the ore produced by
the two methods compares as follows:
Sub-level stoping
255/15.6 = $16.35$/ston
19