Mining study checklist: A guide to consistent high-quality work

Mine planning is a mining consultant’s bread and butter and is at the core of any mining study. ¹ It involves optimising the exploitation of mineral reserves for maximum added value aligned with the strategic goals and objectives of the business. A mining study can be delivered on various levels depending on the accuracy of the inputs and the level of confidence of both the stakeholders and the person/s responsible for the study. It can be delivered on a conceptual, scoping (“order of magnitude”), preliminary feasibility, or detailed feasibility level and involves all other discipline areas such as metallurgy, geology, hydrology, environmental, social, and legal, among others.

Whether you are a mining engineer working in the mine planning/studies team, or a mining consultant carrying out a mining study, this checklist will assist in ensuring that the deliverables are produced at a high standard by putting checks in place at each step along the process. The checks involve prompts about whether a certain procedure has been carried out or not. Non-compliance to any procedure must be provided with a justification or must be followed up with the manager or client.

As with all the stakeholders, knowing that this checklist had been implemented in a mining study provides more confidence in the results and ensures that they are not only supported by practical experience but also align with relevant industry standards, with the exception of reporting and listing rules.

The following shows the common steps when doing a mining study and the checks that must be done at each step.

I. Data Review

The mining study often starts with a review of the data available. Depending on the level of study, the following data should be available. At the concept and scoping level, any data that is not available can be assumed or benchmarked from comparable projects.

II. Block Model Validation

The Mining Engineer receives and validates the resource model for its suitability to the work being carried out.

The Block Model handover form must show the dimensions and spatial extents of the block model and must clearly describe the attributes in the model. In the absence of the handover form, a discussion between the mining engineer and the client must be carried out and documented.

III. Peer Review

It is crucial to conduct a peer review at each step of the mining study process to ensure that another technical expert has proofread and validated the work. This practice avoids any mistake being carried over all the way to the final deliverable, which can cause a major setback to the project timeline and budget. Peer reviews must be documented and signed off.

IV. Basis of the Design (BoD)

All information received from the client that would be relevant to the mining study must be documented within a basis-of-the-design (BoD) document usually in the form of a spreadsheet. This BoD must be signed off by both the mining engineer and the client. Any amendment to the input parameters must also be documented and a version control must be implemented.

Depending on the level of study, the BoD must include any relevant input such as economic parameters (commodity price, royalties, Foreign Exchange or ‘FOREX’, premiums, penalties, etc.), Operating Expenditure or “OPEX”, Capital Expenditure or “CAPEX”, mining parameters (mining rate, production rate, geotechnical slopes, spatial constraints, ore loss, and dilution assessments), metallurgy and processing parameters, deleterious elements assessments, environmental assessments, infrastructure, transport and supply requirements, social governance requirements, government permitting and legal requirements, and all other additional considerations not mentioned.

V. Preparation of Mine Planning Block Model

VI. Optimisation

The optimisation process, whether in an open pit or underground scenario, is the most important step in mine planning because it drives the design and schedule. Modifications still need to be made in the design for practicality, but the more accurate the optimisation inputs are, the better the outcome of the mine plan will be.

VII. Mine Design

VIII. Production Schedule

Usually, the main driver of the schedule is the processing plant capacity or feed requirement. However, there are more factors to consider than the plant feed. The following checks help address the other objectives of a mine schedule.

Ultimately, the quality of the work that will be delivered depends on the level of expertise and experience of the person or team carrying out the study. However, having a structured process and checklist in place adds a Quality Assurance – Quality Check (QA/QC) layer and provides more confidence in the results of the mining study.

Disclaimer: Adherence to reporting standards and listing rules is not covered in this guideline.

Atlantech: Experienced, high-quality mine planning consultants

At Atlantech, we understand that mining success is built on careful planning, informed decision-making, and proactive leadership.

Let us help you navigate the complexities of mining operations to ensure your projects run smoothly and profitably.

We provide excellence and innovative mining engineering and environmental support solutions, backed by a highly experienced team of engineers and support staff.

Contact Atlantech today to discover how we can support your mining operations with expertise you can rely on. Alternatively, drop us a line at info@atlantech.com.au.

References

¹https://ronaldocrdossantos.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/mine-planning-overview-and-key-concepts