Underground Mining Methods and Equipment

Introduction

Underground Mining Methods and Equipment is intended as both a course and a technical reference for an audience of engineers, operators, contractors, consultants, regulators, practising geoscientists and students in the mining sector.

The course provides a comprehensive introduction and reference for those who require a solid grounding in selection, design and development of mining methods and equipment. Mining method selection is based upon physical, geological, economical and environmental conditions and constraints. Equipment selection is based upon mining method and related production, performance and cost requirements. Principal course topics include the following.

• Introductions to underground mining methods, equipment and basic requirements.
• Mining methods and their application for room and pillar, sublevel stoping, shrinkage stoping, vertical retreat, cut and fill, longwall mining, sublevel caving, block caving, square set mining and other methods.
• Layout and design of underground mine development and equipment requirements.
• Equipment and selection for drilling, drifting, production, raising, shaft sinking, loading and hauling.
• Development and production estimation and costing (note - all costing and estimation information within the course were upgraded to current industry values as of June 1, 2005).

Course Content

This course consists of 27 viewing sessions of 30-60 minutes each plus supporting figures, images and design tables, interactive course reviews and extensive reference material. Course duration is equivalent to approximately 30 hours of viewing.

The course is integrated with several interactive mining tools including:

• a mining method selection tool based on orebody characteristics; and
• a decision support system tool for mine planning and design.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate underground mining methods in the context of variable orebody conditions.
• Apply this knowledge to the underground mine design and mine planning processes.
• Perform selection and cost estimation of equipment for different underground mining methods.

Course Requirements

• A partial degree or diploma in mining engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience of underground mining operations.
• This course requires Internet Explorer V6 (or higher).

Dr. Rimas Pakalnis

Rimas has an M.Sc. (1982) and a Ph.D. (1986) in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He currently holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Mining and Mineral Process Engineering at UBC and acts as Group Leader for the Goemechanics Group. Rimas has an extensive background in consulting for the Mining Industry with a focus on Rock Mechanics. He has published numerous papers on mine design and is currently working on an Underground Design Manual.

• Geotechnical Data Collection for Excavation in Rock
• Reinforcement Design for Excavation in Rock
• Practical Rock Engineering 2 - Structural Analysis
• Practical Rock Engineering 5 - Excavation and Support