Designing a mine for gold mining involves several critical steps, from exploration to closure, ensuring economic viability, safety, and environmental sustainability. Below is a structured approach to gold mine design:
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1. Exploration & Resource Estimation
– Geological Surveys: Conduct mapping, sampling, and geophysical studies to identify gold deposits.
– Drilling & Assaying: Core drilling to determine ore grade (grams of gold per tonne) and continuity.
– Resource Modeling: Use software (e.g., Surpac, Vulcan) to create 3D models of the deposit (measured, indicated, inferred resources).
– Feasibility Study: Evaluate economic potential (NPV, IRR) based on gold price forecasts.
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2. Mine Planning & Design
# A. Mining Method Selection
Choose based on deposit geometry, depth, and ore characteristics:
– Open-Pit Mining:
– Suitable for shallow, large deposits (e.g., Carlin Trend in Nevada).
– Design includes pit slopes, benches (height/width), haul roads.
– Optimize using Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm for pit limits.
– Underground Mining:
– For deep, high-grade veins (e.g., South African Witwatersrand).
– Methods: Cut-and-fill, long-hole stoping, shrinkage stoping.
– Design includes access ramps, ventilation shafts, stope layouts.
# B. Key Design Parameters
– Cut-off Grade: Minimum grade for profitable extraction (e.g., 0.5–2 g/t).
– Dilution & Recovery: Account for waste rock mixing during extraction.
– Production Rate: Tonnes per day (e.g., 10,000 tpd for mid-sized mines).
– Equipment Selection.jpg)
Excavators, haul trucks (e.g., CAT 793F), drills.
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3. Processing Plant Design
– Comminution: Crushing (jaw/cone crushers) → grinding (ball/SAG mills).
– Gold Extraction Methods:
– CIL/CIP (Carbon-in-Leach/Pulp): For free-milling gold.
– Flotation: For sulfide ores.
– Heap Leaching: Low-grade ores (<1 g/t) with cyanide solutions.
– Tailings Management: Design storage facilities (TSFs) with liners to prevent contamination.
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4. Infrastructure & Logistics
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