5.

1 MN 318: SURFACE MINING METHODS

Course Aims:
The aims of this Course are:
1. To provide students with knowledge of the various methods for mining valuable
materials using surface methods.
2. To equip students with the knowledge of selecting appropriate surface methods for
recovering minerals from the earth, based on the geology, topography, rock conditions,
environmental consideration, and economics.
3. To impart on student, techniques for planning of a surface mine, equipment selection and
optimisation of a mine production while providing considerations for safety and
environmental aspects.

Course Expected Learning Outcome(s):

After completing this subject, the student is expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge regarding economical mining of different materials on the
earth’s surface while considering geology, topography, rock conditions, and the
environment.
2. Show understanding of techniques for planning of a surface mine, equipment selection
and optimization of a mine production.

Course Status: Core

Credit Rating: 7.5

Total Hours Spent: 75

Course Contents:
1. Introduction: The Course Deals With General Aspects of Different Surface Mining
Methods Such as Open Pit Mines, Open Cast Mines, Quarrying and Dimension Stone
Quarrying, Dredging, Hydraulicking, Solution Mining, Augering, Insitu Leaching and
Heap Leaching, Etc.
2. Open Pit Mining: Block Modeling Techniques, Tonnage and Grade Estimates, Mineable
Reserve Estimates and Economic Pit Limit Analysis, Pit Design and The Concept of
Stripping Ratio, Cut-Off Grade, Haul Road Design, Bench Design, Production
Scheduling and the Use of Computer Simulation in the Selection and Evaluation of Load-
Haul-Dump Systems. Pit De-Watering, The Location and Stability of Waste Dumps and
an Examination of Equipment Costs and Production Statistics are also included. Special
attention is given to The Selection of Equipment and The Use of Computers in Mine
Planning and Scheduling.
 3. Open Cast Mining: Use of Draglines, BWE, Scrapers, Stripping Shovels in Strip Mines
of Coal, Phosphates, Sands, Etc., are taught with special emphasis on the Engineering
Aspects of Selection, Deployment and Capacity Calculations.

Teaching and Learning activities: Lecture, Tutorials, Assignment and self-study

Assessment Methods:
University Examination = 60%
Coursework = 40% [At least 2 Tests, Home works and Quizzes]

Reading Lists:
1. Caterpillar Performance Handbook, 32nd Edition (even later editions)
2. Howard L. Hartman (1992) “SME Mining Engineering Handbook”, 2nd Edition, Volume
1 and 2.
3. Kennedy B. A. (1990) “Surface Mining”, 2nd edition.
4. Locke, C. E., "Mining Engineering", Boston, Mass., Bellman Publishing Company, inc.
5. Sturgul., J. R. (2000), “Mine Design”: Examples using Simulation”, Published by the
Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc., 308 pages, 1 volume.
6. W. Hustrulid and M. Kuchta, (2006) “Open Pit Mine: Planning and Design”, London,
Taylor and Francis.