Depending on how these ores are extracted, mining methods can be categorized as surface or underground types. While open pit recovery can approach 95%, underground methods such as room and pillar often leave as much as 40% of the ore behind, which translates directly into lost revenue. Reflecting the international and diverse nature of the industry, a series of mining case studies is presented covering the commodity range from iron ore to diamonds extracted by operations located in all corners of the world. Yamatomi encyclopedia of life support systems eolss underground mining methods and equipment. Surface mining involves stripping surface vegetation, dirt, bedrock and other layers of the earth to reach. Plotmaker mining methods blackout day presentation 5 th december 2008 venkat m. Langston consultant abstract underhand cut and fill mining methods are used at the lucky friday, stillwater, and galena mines in the western us in an effort to safely mine in difficult ground conditions and as a primary mining method where access below the ore is limited. There are five basic types of surface mining, including openpit mining, strip mining, dredging, mountaintop removal, and highwall mining. Underground mining methods glossary bolting drilling a hole, and inserting a bolt to strengthen the ceiling and walls of an underground mine crusher a machine used to crush ore before it is transported drift a horizontal underground tunnel that follows a vein or ore body. The mining rate is greater than 20,000 tonnes per day tpd but is usually much greater. Mining is further divided into several other categories including room and pillar mining, slope mining, block caving, quarrying, openpit mining and in situ mining.
In each of these mining methods, various earthmoving equipment including shovels, dozers, hauling trucks, and loaders are used to remove and transport the ore. All of these methods remove the waste material or the overburden, that is above the desired resource. Deposit geometry is critical in the estimate of costs for both surface and underground mining. Soft rock mining refers to excavation of softer minerals such as salt, coal. Gold mining is the process of mining of gold or gold ores from the ground. These deposits form a mineralized package that is of economic interest to the miner. It is defined as a concentration of minerals that can be exploited and turned into a saleable product to generate a financially acceptable profit under existing economic conditions. The following peculiarities of underground surveys indicate how they differ from surface surveys. The third compartment, used for a manway and utilities, is. The expansion or added change to the mine also requires an additional examination in order to ensure the overall efficiency of the ventilation system. Types of underground mining and their applications. Underground hard rock mining refers to various underground mining techniques used to excavate hard minerals, usually those containing metals such as ore containing gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, nickel, tin and lead, but also involves using the same techniques for excavating ores of gems such as diamonds or rubies. Placer mining is the technique by which gold that has accumulated in a placer deposit is extracted. Mining techniques can be divided into two common excavation types.
Placer mining is used to sift out valuable metals from sediments in river channels, beach sands, or other environments. However, every mineral deposit, with its geology, grade, shape, and volume, is unique. Methods of mining include stoping, caving, and various methods of working large deposits which, in addition to the method of actually breaking the ore, require elaborate and definite plans of, development of the orebody. One of the most important aspects of underground hard rock mining is ventilation. In 1981 nicholas suggested for the first time a numerical approach for mining method selection. The two main types of mining are surface mining and underground mining. In surface mining, the rock barrier on top of the deposit is removed to access the ore. Often, surface mining is preferred over underground mining, or subsurface mining, for numerous reasons. Underground mining underground or subsurface mining involves the digging of a network of shafts and tunnels into the earth to reach and extract the deposit of ore or mineral beneath the earth. Mining methods in underground mining second edition 2007. Surface mines are typically used for more shallow and less valuable deposits. The nicholas methodology follows a numerical approach to rate different mining methods based on the rankings of specific input parameters.
Because the sublevel caving method is widely used in various types of underground mines, we will focus on the blasting in sublevel caving in this chapter. Oct 17, 2017 some common types of contaminants that are found in underground mines include welding fumes, diesel exhaust, paint fumes, solvents, chemicals and other harmful gas and dust particles. Mining method selection by multiple criteria decision. In comparison to other methods, underground mines impact less on the environment and are much more harmful to those working within them. Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef or placer deposit. Team lead minex, india slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Types of underground mining and their applications youtube. Underhand cut and fill mining methods are used at the lucky friday, stillwater, and galena mines in the western us in an effort to safely mine in difficult ground conditions and as a primary mining method where access below the ore is limited. The method has evolved at each mine to meet the unique situations associated with their milling procedure.
In any discussion of methods of underground mining comparison, one is repeatedly confronted with the difficulty of dealing with so many variable conditions. Mining method selection by multiple criteria decision making. Underground mines are more expensive and are often used to reach deeper deposits. Both methods are well suited to extracting the relatively flat coalbeds or coal seams typical of.
Types of underground mining underground mining for coal is conducted by either room and pillar mining or longwall mining. Jan 27, 2014 there is a variety of mining methods used, often in the same mine, depending on the geometry of the orebody and the stability of the rock. These are the methodstechniques employed when the depth of the deposit,the stripping ratio of the overburden to ore,or both becomes excessive to surface exploitation. It is not an exact science and in the choice of a method each varying factor has a certain weight, which, in many cases, experience alone can determine.
For this reason, surface mining is the most widely used method in north america. Rock blasting in underground mining pdf free download. A further subdivi is termed massive, as with most granite. Dec 05, 2008 plotmaker mining methods blackout day presentation 5 th december 2008 venkat m.
Underhand cut and fill mining as practiced in three deep hard. Ore is then removed or mucked out by a lhd load haul dump machine, which resembles a lowprofile articulated frontend loader. Room and pillar mining in this method, mining is carried out in an ore deposit, leaving behind some of the ore in the form of columns to support the roof and prevent it from collapsing. Used a lot by south african gold mining companies, this method can be used in both soft and hard rocks as the working area along the mining face can be supported. Chapter 19 rock blasting in underground mining chapter outline 19. The rest of the coal is left in place in the form of pillars that hold up the roof and prevent. Underground mining methods previous next the choice of an underground mining method depends on a range of factors and these include. Classification of underground mining methods mineral production in which all extracting operations are conducted beneath the ground surface is termed underground mining. Today, surface mining is much more common, and produces, for example, 85% of minerals excluding petroleum and natural gas in the united states, including 98% of metallic ores. Reflecting the importance of ground support, underground mining methods are categorized in three classes on the basis of the extent of support required. Jul 24, 2016 types of underground mining and their applications.
Mining methods and method selection snu open courseware. Underhand cut and fill mining as practiced in three deep. The primary objective of underground mining is to extract ore safely and economically while minimizing handling of waste rock. Underground mining is the process of extracting minerals and ores that are located too far underground to be mined efficiently using surface mining methods. Ore and waste are fragmented using blast holes drilled upwards from headings. A highly productive underground mining method, longwall mining is used in a large horizontal spread of thinbedded deposits of uniform thickness usually ranging from 0. Pdf download underground mining methods engineering fundamentals and international case studies download full ebook. In fact, it can extract almost 90% of ore from a deposit. Methods of exploitation of different types of uranium deposits.
These surface mining methods are considered to be more efficient and economical in extracting minerals as compared to most methods of underground mining. Mining progresses downwards in an orebody, with each sublevel being progressively eliminated as mining. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth. Underground mining methods presents the latest principles and techniques in use today. Rock blasting in underground mining chapter outline 19. Pwc open pit mining mining methods 5 open pit mines are used to exploit low grade, shallow ore bodies.
Ores recovered by mining include metals, coal, oil shale, gemstones, limestone, chalk, dimension stone, rock salt, potash, gravel, and clay. Today, contractors get engaged in all kinds of mine infra structure. Jul 21, 2016 underground mining is the process of extracting minerals and ores that are located too far underground to be mined efficiently using surface mining methods. However, the first step is to loosen the rock in the ore body so that it can be moved and processed. Underground mining methods and applications production headframe hans hamrin 1. Different mining methods impose different load on the mine internal environment such as ventilation air stream. Underground mining techniques and risks geology for investors. Read online now underground mining methods engineering fundamentals and international case studies ebook pdf at our library. Underground mining methods are usually employed when the depth of the deposit andor the waste to ore ratio stripping ratio are. Pdf download underground mining methods engineering. Underground surveying embraces the survey operations performed beneath the surface of the earth in connection with tunneling, exploration and construction in subterranean passageways. In room and pillar mining, approximately 50 percent of the coal is removed, using a continuous miner, from areas known as rooms. These deposits usually occur beneath barriers like a rock layer, forests, or oceans, which makes accessing them difficult. This method is called underground mining, whose types are explained below.
Small deposits of the same ore type may require selective mining. The choice of mining method depends on man y fact ors, including. It is quite different from surveying on the surface. Mining methods traditional mining methods fall into two broad categories based on locale. This type of mining accounts for less than 5% of total underground production in the u.
These are the methods techniques employed when the depth of the deposit,the stripping ratio of the overburden to ore,or both becomes excessive to surface exploitation. Placer deposits are composed of relatively loose material that makes tunneling. The standard threecompartment timber shaft has two hoisting compartments that measure six feet by six feet inside the timbers. Ventilation is the primary method of clearing hazardous gases andor dust which are created from drilling and blasting activity e. Typically, underground mine has less environmental impact. Exploring abandoned mines and unusual places 1,667,926 views. The two industries ranked together as the primary or basic industries of early civilization. Those geomechanical properties are closely related to mining methods. Get underground mining methods engineering fundamentals and international case studies pdf file for free from our online library. Underground mining methods while most mineral deposits can be mined by either surface or underground methods, some minerals can only be recovered in a hybrid manner, usually by initial extracted by open pit mining, followed by underground methods. Types of shafts shafts sunk today in hard rock mines are mostly limited to the standard threecompartment timber shaft and the circular concrete shaft. However, even in these areas, some cutandcover construction would still be needed to build station entrances, mezzanines, and other features that require streetlevel access, or parts of stations that cannot feasibly be. Choice of an underground mining method is often closely related to the geology of the deposit and degree of ground support necessary to make the.
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