In this module, you will learn about the surface mining industry, and examine both the machinery that practitioners use, along with its associated methodologies, which you will critically examine and discuss. The Mine Transport section of the module focuses predominately on the four principle methods of underground mine transport and relies heavily on numerical examples to show how the transport methods are both selected and optimised.

Pre-Requisite module: CSM1029; or equivalent.

This module is unsuitable for non-specialist students.

This module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

The principle aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the techniques of surface mining and equipment used. Additionally this module examines the methods of mine transport that practitioners may well use in an underground operation. It also aims to extend your understanding of engineering principles in relation to the handling and transport of men and materials.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Understand the types of surface mines and when they are best used;

2 Comprehend the design stages involved in preparing a final mine layout from initial geological and engineering information;

3 Appreciate the types of equipment used in surface mines and quarries, and its selection;

4 Apply knowledge of basic engineering principles to real engineering situations and predict equipment performance;

5 Design systems to meet a given specification;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6 undertake synthesis of information and create responses in terms of advanced knowledge;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7 use computer-based resources in the production of a technical document.

- Types of surface mines - strip, terrace and open-pit mines;

- The differences between them, when they are used and examples of each;

- Wire ropes - their use in winding and haulage systems;

- Rope construction, performance characteristics, sizing and selection;

- Surface mining equipment - its use, selection and economics;

- Mine hoisting systems - layout of plant and methods of operation and testing;

- Determination of performance and design to meet required performance criteria;

- Loading shovels - rope and hydraulic shovels - design and cost differences;

- Diesel or electric motivation - design and cost implications;

- Selection of and calculation of size required for mining applications;

- Truck spotting and loader operating methods and their implications on productivity;

- Locomotive hauled systems ֖performance and selection of locomotives to meet output requirements diesel and battery powered systems;

- Traction and braking equations, limiting, ideal and optimum gradients;

- Front end loader - design and use;

- Selection criteria between front end loaders and shovels;

- Haulage trucks - mechanical and electric drives - design and cost implications;

- Fuel consumption;

- Trolley assist methods to reduce consumption and improve overall efficiency;

- Belt conveyors-design and construction of belt systems;

- Selection of belt type and determination of load carrying capacity and power requirements;

- Selecting trucks - matching size and number of (to excavating equipment);

- In-pit crushers - types of installations, the economics and mine planning implications of their use;

- Dragline mining methods - walking and track mounted draglines;

- Economics of size and type;

- Mining methods used;

- Range diagrams and dragline selection calculations;

- Bucket wheel excavators - general design of machines;

- Operating methods;

- Size selection criteria and economics of use;

- Mine design stages - the feasibility approach to design;

- From raw geology to a working mine layout;

- Cut off grades;

- Mine optimisation, both manual and with computer software;

- Computer design processes - geological models, mine economics, design and scheduling;

- Relevant legislation covering the operation, maintenance, selection and testing of all the machinery dealt with in the module.

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

Basic Reading:

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

W.alker, S.C., Mine Winding and Transport, Elsevier, (1989)

Reading list for this module: