1) Definition of Open Pit

mining parameters

Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation

February 2,

2016 3

Although the basic concept of an open pit is quite simple, the planning required to develop a large
deposit for surface mining is

a very complex and costly undertaking.

At one mine, it may be desirable to plan for blending variations in the ore so as to maintain, as
nearly as possible, a uniform

feed to the mill.

At another operation it may be desirable to completely separate two kinds of ore, as for example, a
low- grade deposit where

one kind of "oxide" ore must be treated by acid leach, but a second kind of "sulfide" ore must be
treated by different

methods.

The grade and tonnage of material available will determine how much waste rock can be stripped,
and there is often an

ultimate limit to the pit that is determined more by the economics of removing overburden than a
sudden change in the ore

deposit from mineral to non-mineral bearing material.

The ultimate pit limit and the slope of the pit walls are therefore determined as much by
economics and engineering as by

geological structure. Material that is relatively high grade may be left unmined in some awkward
spot extending back too

deeply beneath waste

The typical large open pit mining operation that has been in production for 10 years and more is
operating under conditions

that could not possibly have been foreseen by the original planners of the mine.

Metal prices, machinery, and milling methods are constantly changing so that the larger operations
must be periodically
reevaluated, and several have been completely redeveloped from time to time as entirely different
kinds of mining and milling

operations.

1.1) Basic Concept

Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation

February 2, 2016

Sometimes the preliminary stripping of the waste overburden is contracted to firms specializing in

earthmoving. Mining is usually done by track-mounted electric shovels in the large operations, and
by

rubber-tired diesel front-end loaders in the smaller operations. Scrapers are sometimes used in
special

situations.

Large bucket-wheel excavators of the kind used in European coal mines have not been applied to
metal

mining, because this equipment is best adapted to softer bedded, relatively flat-lying strata.

Many factors govern the size and shape of an open pit.

These must be properly understood and used in the planning of any open pit operation.

The following are the key items affecting the pit design:

1) Topography,

2) Geology,

3) Grade,

4) Localization of the mineralization,

5) Extent of the deposit,

6) Property boundaries,

7) Production rates,

8) Road grades,

9) Mining costs,

10) Processing costs,

11) Metal recovery,

12) Marketing considerations,

13) Bench height,

14) Pit slopes,

15) Cutoff grade,

16) Strip Ratios (SR).

2 February 2016 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation

Mining Methods, Surface mining

1.2) Open pit Mining method

Mine working open to the surface.

It is usually employed to exploit a near-

surface deposit or one that has a low

stripping ratio.

Operation designed to extract mineral

deposits that lie close to the surface.

It is used when the orebody is near the

surface and little overburden (waste

rock) needs to be removed.

Large hole exposes the ore body.

Waste rock (overburden) is removed.

It often necessitates a large capital

investment but generally results in high

productivity, low operating cost, and

good safety conditions.

2nd cheapest method, but has the

largest environmental impact. Why?

Funnel shaped hole in ground,

with ramp spiraling down along

sides, allows moderately deep ore

to be reached.

Waste is first removed, then

the ore is broken and loaded.

Generally low grade, shallow

ore bodies.

Non-selective all high and

low grade zones mined

Mining rate > 20,000 tons

mined per day (tpd).

Design issues:

Stripping overburden

Location of haul roads

Equipment size of trucks

and fleet

Pit slope angle and stability

2 February 2016 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation

Mining Methods, Surface mining

Classic Open Pits Characterized by

Oval Shape, Benches, spiraling roads

These pits expand without

Moving and generally

Target a vein or steeply

Dipping stock on ore

Characterized by a series of stair-step like

benches that each act as a working area

Pit shapes tend to be more configured to

geology of the deposit more than

equipment needs/convenience

Many pits are ovals

Fits the geometry of disseminated

metal deposits

Pits tend to be wider relative to length

Pits tend not to move like strip mine –

pit develops in place

Surface Mining methods (Open pit Mining method)

2 February 2016 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation

Mining Methods, Surface mining

Figure shows Open pit Mining method

open pit mining: funnel shaped hole in

ground, with ramp spiraling down along

sides, allows moderately deep ore to be

reached.

Initial mining for zinc at Franklin

and Ogdensburg, New Jersey-USA.

Photo I took at Bingham. 4 km in diameter 1 km in depth, at its