Cost Estimating for Underground Mine Engineering

Summary

This course provides engineers and evaluators the opportunity to learn to produce detailed, engineering-based cost estimates for underground mines. Participants work through a series of problems to derive the engineering parameters needed to estimate capital and operating costs, and they learn to assign costs based upon these parameters. Students then use these estimates in conjunction with discounted cash flow analysis techniques to identify the most economically advantageous approaches to development and operation. In addition to instruction in fundamental underground cost estimating techniques, course participants learn to both balance the size of underground openings with the associated ventilation requirements and, from a cost perspective, evaluate ramp haul and hoisting alternatives. Application-based cost estimating software packages are demonstrated, and then are compared to spreadsheet-based cost models. An emphasis is placed upon the uncertainty associated with not-yet-fully-delineated engineering parameters and the process of dealing with that uncertainty. Students are given problems to work in class and discussions of results provide direct student involvement. For details of topics covered see course schedule.

While not a prerequisite, students who have taken the earlier course Introduction to Estimating Mining Costs for Prefeasibility Analyses will be able to apply techniques learned there to underground mine project design alternatives.

Pre-Course e-Learning

Prior to the course, registered delegates have access to online e-learning material consisting of an introductory course titled Estimating the Cost of Mining.

UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

This course qualifies for two days of short course credit for the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies, a continuing education initiative by the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining at the University of British Columbia. more details »

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

This course meets the requirements for formal CPD activity for most Canadian provincial associations and US state boards and may contribute the equivalent in hours towards your CPD requirement.

Who Should Attend?

The course is appropriate for engineers, mineral economists, project evaluators, and others with a background in mining and mineral resource development.

Please forward this invitation to anyone you know that may be interested in attending this seminar.