University of Kentucky

Mining Engineering

MNG 463 Surface Mine Design and
Environmental Issues
Spring 2010

Catalog Data: MNG 463: Surface Mine Design and Environmental Issues. 3
Credits. Pit layout and design of excess spoil disposal areas
including stability of the slopes. Design of sediment control
systems to satisfy surface mine regulations. Use of design
standards for various reclamation alternatives. Prereq: MNG 264;
Engineering Standing.

Textbook: B.A. Kennedy, ed., Surface Mining, 2
nd
ed., SME, 1990.

References: W.A. Hustrulid and M. Kuchta, Open Pit Mine Planning & Design,
Balkema, 1995.

H.L. Hartman and J . M. Mutmansky, Introductory Mining
Engineering, Wiley, 2002.

C.A. Kliche, Rock Slope Stability, SME, 1999.

Y.H. Huang, Stability Analysis of Earth Slopes, Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1983.

Surface Mining Supervisory Training Program, Bucyrus-Erie Co.,
1977

C.T. Haan, et.al., Design Hydrology and Sedimentology for Small
Catchments, Academic Press, 1994.

Coordinator: Dr. Richard J . Sweigard, Professor of Mining Engineering

Goals: Ability to layout a surface mine pit to maximize resource recovery
and provide a safe work environment through stable pit slopes.
Design stable and environmentally sound disposal areas for
excess spoil and processing waste. Design final landforms and
revegetation plans that satisfy regulatory requirements for various
postmining land uses.





Prerequisites by Topic: Mining Methods

Topics:
1. Introduction to surface mining methods and design.
2. Environmental regulations impacting surface mine design.
3. Mine planning and development.
4. Design of overburden removal systems.
5. Pit layout and excess spoil disposal.
6. Slope stability principles.
7. Overview of drainage and sediment control structures.
8. Reclamation plans for productive postmining land use.

Computer Usage:

- REAME (slope stability analysis)

Outcomes:
Course Outcome Program
Learning
Outcome*
1. Select an appropriate surface mining method for a given
mineral deposit

(e)
2. Prepare a preliminary surface coal mine permit application (d) (e)
3. Design a haulroad as part of mine development (c)
4. Design overburden removal system using a dragline (c)
5. Select materials handling system using mobile equipment (e)
6. Design stable surface coal mine pit including structures for
excess spoil disposal

(c) (k)
7. Design reclamation plans for various postmining land uses (c)

Program Learning Outcomes can be found at the UK Mining Engineering
website: http://www.engr.uky.edu/mng/undergraduate/outcomes.html


Class Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00-11:50am

Grading: Assignments 30%
Quizzes 5%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 35%

Assignments will be in the form of small projects and will be assigned
approximately every other week.

Grading Scale:

A 90 - 100%
B 80 - 89.9%
C 70 - 79.9%
D 60 - 69.9%
E 59.9% - and below



Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is required. A student must arrive within 5 minutes of
the scheduled start of the class period and must stay for the remainder of the
period to be credited for attendance for that meeting. Your grade will be reduced
by 5 percent points for each week equivalent of class that is missed because of
un-excused absences. For example, Since MNG 363 meets three times per
week; the following grade reduction would be incurred:

Number of Un-excused Absences Grade Reduction
1-3 0%
4-6 5%
7-9 10%
10-12 15%

Excused absences, as defined in the University Bulletin, are not counted in this
total.