Feasibility Study in Mining Exploration

Feasibility and Pre-Feasibility Studies

• A feasibility study evaluates economic, political, social, and environmental factors to decide on project continuation or abandonment.
• A pre-feasibility study focuses on mining and processing methods to classify resources as reserves.

Exploration Life Cycle

• Involves: available land resources, prospecting, early exploration, intermediate exploration, advanced exploration, mineral development, restoration, and reclamation.

Mine Life Cycle

• Prospecting/exploration: Involves searching, sampling, analysis, and generating a feasibility report on ore reserves.
• Development: Planning logistics for mining operations and constructing the mine.
• Extraction: The actual process of extracting ore.
• Closure: Remediation or redevelopment of mined land to restore natural conditions.

Types of Metals and Mining Classifications

• Base metals include iron, lead, and zinc; precious metals (high economic value) include gold and silver.
• Ore grade refers to the concentration of economic minerals or metals in an ore deposit.

Mineral Resources and Reserves

• A mineral resource is a potentially valuable deposit with reasonable extraction prospects. Categories include inferred, indicated, and measured resources.
• A mineral reserve is a portion of a measured or indicated resource that can be economically mined. Categories include probable and proven reserves.

Mineral Resource Estimation

• Involves estimating tonnage, grade, size, shape, and location of mineral deposits.

Factors in Mining Method Selection

• Consider size, shape, depth of deposit, geology, productivity, availability of workforce, capital and operating costs, ore recoveries and revenues, safety, injuries, and environmental impacts.

Surface Mining

• Involves open pit, strip mining, and quarrying; exposes ore directly on the surface for the mine's duration.

Underground Mining

• Employed when ore deposits are deep and high-grade; accessed through shafts and ramps.

Sustainable Development

• Meets present needs without hindering future generations; incorporates social, economic, and environmental improvements in resource extraction.

Classification of Mines

• Important metrics include masses moved (in tons or m³), run of mine production, usable content, total investment value, number of employees, regional importance, and environmental impacts.

Risks of Mining

• Risks include water contamination, deforestation, erosion, ground failure, inundation, air quality issues, fire/explosion, and spontaneous combustion.

Land Reclamation

• Simple reclamation involves filling mined areas with heavy materials, topping with clay and soil to restore height.

Ore and Gangue Definition

• Ore consists of natural rock/sediment containing valuable minerals, typically metals, that can be profitably mined.
• Gangue refers to waste materials within an ore that must be discarded.

Prospecting and Exploration

• Prospecting is the search for ore bodies.
• Exploration evaluates geologic prospects for size, shape, grade, and profit potential including sampling and valuation.

Prospecting Methods

• Direct methods include physical geology, while indirect methods encompass geophysical and geochemical approaches.
• Utilize maps, literature, and aerial photography for locating deposits.

Exploration Methods

• Involves remote sensing, geological mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, drilling, and bulk sampling to define orebody size and characteristics.
• A mining license is necessary for mine development.

This quiz explores the feasibility study process in mining, including economic, political, social, and environmental considerations. It covers the pre-feasibility study and the detailed exploration life cycle, from prospecting to reclamation. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in mining development.