STRATEGY FOR UNDERGROUND MINES

Ramp Haulage
For small ore bodies, ramp haulage is the default selection because it normally provides
the most flexible and economical choice. (In a cordillera, the terrain may provide relief
adequate for a level entry or “adit.”) A ramp (or adit) drive can typically be oriented to
provide an underground diamond-drilling base and provide shorter crosscuts to the ore
zone. The crosscuts are provided rapidly and economically because they provide a
second heading for the main drive. It is possible to sink and develop from a shaft at the
same time; however, this is a difficult and expensive procedure.
Another advantage to the ramp or adit entry is direct access by mobile equipment when
trackless mining is to be employed. For a typical shaft, the equipment must be
dismantled and reassembled underground. The set-up time required to initiate ramp
driving is usually shorter than for a shaft. One to three months may be required to
provide access and collar a ramp portal, while the collar, hoist, and headframe required
for a shaft may take six months of site work.
For medium sized ore bodies, ramp haulage may still be the best choice where the
orebody is relatively flat lying. In this case, the ramp may have to be enlarged to
accommodate larger trucks. In some cases, it may be practical to provide twin ramp
entries to handle two-way traffic.
Belt Conveyor
For large, flat-lying ore bodies, a belt conveyor is typically the most economical method
of hoisting ore. The legs of the conveyor are put into a ramp that has been driven
straight (i.e. a “decline”) for each leg of the proposed conveyor way.
If the soil overburden is very deep, or deep and water bearing, a ramp or decline may
not be a practical method due to the extraordinary cost of excavating and constructing a
portal. If the ground (bedrock) beneath the overburden is not competent or is heavily
water bearing, a ramp or decline access may be impractical due to the driving time and
cost.
Shaft System
For large steeply dipping ore bodies, a shaft system is usually best. In this scenario, it
may be advisable to have a ramp entry as well to accelerate the pre-production
schedule and later to provide service access to the mine.
Conventional Methods of Ore Transport
At the conceptual stage, it is normally better to consider only conventional methods for
the transport of ore and resort to the unusual methods only under unusual
circumstances. A good example of “unusual” is the aerial tramway installed across a
fjord at the Black Angel Mine in Greenland to access an orebody located high on a cliff
face.