MG EN 5020 - Surface Mining Methods

Basic terminology including strip ratio and pit structure related (bench height, width, interramp angle etc). Structural components including haul road design, waste rock dump, water handling. Basics of drilling and blasting. Basics of blast design. Introduction to pit optimization algorithms and slope stability. Major equipment types and production planning. Basics of strip mining including use of draglines and cast blasting. Basics of reclamation (major laws and methods). Special topics covered include grade control and niche methods.