Evaluation and Exploitation of Resources
Objectives
Understand advanced concepts of mineral resources characterization and evaluation, such as drillhole core analysis, XRF grade determination, spatial grade distribution or other properties 8for instance, density, drilling index). Know the most used rock excavation methods in open-pit and underground mines, and how the exploration sequence is carried out and the respective constraints. Know how to use the advanced tools of Leapfrog Geo to assess metallic or non-metallic mineral resources and report quantities and tonnage/grade graphs; propose sampling plans, which aim at the integrated application of modeling methodologies and the balance of uncertainty. Integrate work teams that develop mine and quarry mining projects (including economic studies), based on available information, directly or indirectly, and know how to read these reports.
General characterization
Code
13251
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
José António de Almeida
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 70
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Knowledge of geostatistical and economic geology and mineral resources taught at earlier curricular units.
Bibliography
[1] A. G. Journel and C. Huijbreghts (1978) Mining Geostatistics, Academic Press. [2] M. Revuelta & C. Jimeno (1997) Manual de Evaluación y Diseño de Explotaciones Mineras, Entorno Grafico, SL, Madrid [3] E. Orche (1999) Manual de Evaluación de Yacimentos Minerales. Gráficas Arias Montano, Madrid [4] M.B. Revuelta e C.L. Jimeno (1996) Recursos Minerales, Gráficas Arias Montano, Madrid [5] R. Marjoribanks (1997) Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining. Chapman & Hall. [6] S. Haldar (2013) Mineral Exploration, Principles and Applications, 1st Edition, Elsevier [7] W.A. Hustrulid, R.L. Bullock (2001) Underground Mining Methods: Engineering Fundamentals and International Case Studies. SME.
Teaching method
There are classes for exposing the materials with the support of PowerPoint and practical classes, where some students solve a resource evaluation project and the respective economic study.
Evaluation method
The evaluation may be of the continuous type (2 tests) or final examination. Also includes solving 5 problems and a project and their report. The 2 tests relate to the subjects taught with Powerpoints. They have a duration of 2 hours, and account each 25% of the final grade. This component can be replaced by final examination on the scheduled date. The five problems and the final project are partially solved in practical classes. The problems are solved and presented individually and must be submited until 3 days after the class, and the project in groups of 2 students. Each problem accounts 5% of the final grade and the project 25%. There are no minimum grades for the tests and problems, however the minimum project grade is 10 / 20.
Subject matter
Characteristics of the extractive industry. Types of mining operations. Lifecycle of a mine and major infrastructure. Exploration methods in open-pit and underground mines. End mine life projects for mines and quarries. The mining industry in Portugal. Mining exploration. Resources and reserves. Stages of assessment of exploitable resources and reserves. Interpretation of boreholes and measurement of grades. Sample size. Sampling and representativeness. Composite samples. Classical evaluation (classical methods) and geostatistical evaluation (review of variography and kriging methods). Resource evaluation with Leapfrog Geo and presentation of results: quantity tables and tonnage/cut-off curves. Economic evaluation of projects. Lerchs and Grossmann 2D method. Annual production. Economic value of blocks. Cost estimation methods. Investment costs, operating costs, fixed costs and sales. Sensitivity analysis. Introduction to mining planning and intervening factors.