Evaluation of Overburden Removal at Coal Mines

Executive summary

The evaluation of overburden removal methods at the UBU coal seam required the construction of a resource model and a correlated production schedule around the resource model.

The coal deposit is near surface a there it was requirement to determine whether the overburden removal would be best performed by dragline or truck and shovel methods.

The analysis of risks factors, costs, scheduling and the selection of the appropriate mining equipment for the operation was incorporated to determine the optimum overburden removal methods.

With a thorough comparison between truck and shovel and dragline methods it was concluded that the dragline was the most viable option. The dragline had perceived lower outlay costs, operating costs and offered a simpler, safer solution.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

2.0 ASSUMPTIONS

3.0 THE UBU MINING OPERATION

3.1 The Resource

3.1.1 The volume of overburden

3.1.2 The volume of coal

3.2 The UBU Production Schedule

3.3 Effective Operating Hours

4.0 TRUCK AND SHOVEL MINING AT UBU

1 Advantages of Truck and Shovel Mining

4.1.1 Flexibility

4.1.2 Lower dilution

4.1.3 Costs

2 Risk Factors of Truck and Shovel Mining

1 Trucks

2 Excavator

4.2.3 Poor blasting

4 Maintenance downtime

5 Operator efficiency

4. Slope stability issues

3 Truck and Shovel Equipment Selection

1 Trucks

4.3.2 Digger

3 Drill rigs

4 Other equipment

5.0 COST PROPOSAL FOR TRUCK AND SHOVEL MINING

5.1 Estimated Capital Outlay for Mining Equipment

5.1.1 Infrastructure capital outlay

5.2 Estimated Production Costs

5.2.1 Contract explosives vehicle

5.3 Total Production Costs for Truck and Shovel Mining

5.3.1 Cost breakdown by equipment

NET PRESENT VALUE OF TRUCK AND SHOVEL MINING

7.0 STRIP...