Calculating Stripping Ratios

for Area Strip Mines

Mnge 315

Dr. B. C. Paul spring 2003 revised 2010

Note These notes contain information considered
common knowledge to those familiar with Strip
Mining. Books such as
Elements of Practical Coal Mining and SMEs
Surface Mining were specifically referenced

Stripping Ratio as a
Fundamental
Ability to surface mine depends on the value

of the ore being high enough to offset the cost

of Overburden Removal
Stripping Ratio determines relative amounts of
each to be moved

If coal generates a $5/ton earning and

overburden costs 45 cents per cubic yard to

move what is the maximum economic
stripping ratio
$5.00/ 0.45 = just over 11 cubic yards per ton
Called a Break Even Stripping Ratio

Complexities Warning
Units of Stripping Ratio depend on convenience
of the industry

Coal overburden is normally light and machines are

limited by volume in cubic yards
Coal is sold by the ton
Cubic Yards/ton makes sense

Hard Rock Metal

Both ore and overburden are trucked
Both are heavy and trucks are usually weight limited
Tons/ton makes sense (unit-less)

More Warnings
Geometry problems usually measure

volumes which convert to tons only if

density is the same for all materials
Material may be rehandled
Get operating and geologic stripping
ratios
Dont use 40 cents per cubic yard to figure

stripping ratio off of geometry if you have 10%

rehandle

Fixed and Variable Costs

Example of the Car

If you have a car

Insurance
Licensing Fees
Storage or Parking Space
These Costs constant per unit of time regardless of
use of car

Variable Costs

Gas
Tires
Oil Changes
Largely Dependent on mileage you drive

Fixed and Variable Costs in

Mining
Some mining costs are fixed (many

administrative features for example)

Others are variable direct materials
handling cost
What goes into Break Even Stripping Ratio
Direct materials costs go into Break Even
Fixed Costs are charged to the average
stripping ratio you mine over the time

Simple Stripping Ratios

Bottom of a
Strip Mine

For a pit 1 mile long and

160 ft across, how significantly
Different is the length at the top
And bottom of the pit?

Top of a Strip Mine

Volumes are Length * Width * Height

Ratio is A/B
What happens if the length term in
Both A and B is the same number
It cancels Long strip pits can be
Analyzed as 2D problems!!!
Life is Good

The 2D Cross Section

Area = Base * Height
Interest Item Slope Angle
Has no effect
Overburden
The problem is 1D
Only depends on
Thickness and density
Base for both coal and the overburden is the same
That means the base will cancel!

The Coal Area Strip Mine

Formula
Strip Ratio = OB Thickness (in ft) *
11.11/ Coal thickness in inches

Assumes coal is 80 lbs/ft^3 (good for

bituminous)
Area Strip Mine Geometry
Geologic Stripping Ratio no accounting
for rehandle or less than 100% coal
recovery

Your Turn
Use What You Have Learned About

Calculating Stripping Ratios for Strip

Mines and Break Even Limits to
Determine the Size of a Coal Reserve
Do Assignment #3

A Little Explanation
Very seldom is a coal seam the same
Distance from the surface always

Less overburden means

More profit.

Project worth is increased if you take the

Biggest profits first thus strip mines sta
Shallow and work into deeper stuff.

Is it possible that eventually the coal

Will get deep enough to exceed the break-even
Stripping ratio of course!

In your homework you will look at a coal reserve start shallow and work unti
Deep enough you cant afford it anymore. Then youll tell me how far you cou