Underground Mining is the second of two core technical modules for the Professional PG Dip / MSc Mining Engineering Programme. The module examines the design, development, operation, optimization and eventual closure of underground mines. It will look at the way near surface deposits can be cost effectively extracted through construction of safe, efficient, underground mines, and the factors that control the optimum design.

The module will particularly explore ground control, ventilation, excavation design, development planning, production management, equipment selection, cost control, tunnelling, and computer-based underground mine design.

The module aims to advance your understanding of the basic underground mining principles taught in the Year One Mining Life-Cycle by providing you with the technical mining engineering knowledge used in designing and operating safe and efficient underground mine operations. Underground mining is one of the most technically demanding and safety critical methods of mineral extraction and involves state of the art techniques in rock mechanics, and excavation technology within a highly cost sensitive production environment.

Practical, hands-on activities using case histories and industry data will improve key skills such as field data collection, computer-assisted underground mine design, geotechnical appraisal, ventilation design, production and cost forecasting and safety management. The module emphasizes how the mechanical properties of host rocks and ore influence excavation design, blasting, and mineral processing.

You will undertake a comprehensive mine design report that will simulate the design and planning process including blast designs, equipment selection, among other parameters.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Develop a robust underground mine design incorporating ventilation, geotechnics, hydrogeology, production schedules and equipment selection and a closure plan.

2. Critically evaluate and explain the key components of a underground blast design.

3. Evaluate factors controlling instability and reinforcement design of excavation and recommend support measures.

4. Evaluate factors controlling operations management, equipment matching and production schedules.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Integrate information from multiple data sources to design an effective mining operation.

6. Summarize the issues and technical requirements of ventilation and control of the mine atmosphere.

7. Explain how each aspect of underground mine design and operations must be optimized.

 

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

8. Apply personal data-handling skills through critical evaluation of a design problem and produce, to a strict deadline, detailed recommendations/reasoned arguments for an appropriate solution.
 

The module will be delivered over a period of 24 weeks using online lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and through face to face teaching, fieldwork and group work as part of a residential course.

The module commences with a review of the key parameters of underground mining including development and access, shaft sinking, ventilation and the mine atmosphere. The module then moves onto mining methods, mobile equipment and maintenance. Key subject areas studied with the module include:

Units include:

Unit 1: Mining Methods and Underground Mine Design

Unit 2: Tunnelling and Underground Development

Unit 3: Mining Eqipument, Production and Costs

Unit 4: Mine Ventilation

All referral marks are capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

online lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and links to the University of Exeter electronic library and its comprehensive resources.

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Module is largely delivered by a dedicated ELE website that also involves links to external corporate, professional, educational websites and YouTube.

http://www.rockeng.utoronto.ca/roc/Hoek/Hoek.htm - Hoek’s Corner

Brady (2004) Rock mechanics for underground mining

SME Mining Engineering Handbook

Other Resources:

The site will have additional literature resources from external professional bodies, technical guides and manuals and use of company annual reports.

Reading list for this module: