Mine planning - a study in developing a life of mine plan

M.Phil.A research report, such as provided for Kenya Fluorspar, plays an integral part of the life of mine or project and creates a practical plan of running and developing the mine. This research report is used by the client as a practical strategic mine plan, and thus if followed as stipulated, will in the end not only pro-long the life of the mine but will achieve targeted value and tonnes for the specific plant. In many cases the smaller mining companies will attack an ore body and will as is called “pick the eyes out” of that specific ore body, thus mining just the high grade ore, make your money and get out. But if it comes to a mine that needs to pro-long the life of the mine due to community responsibility and the creation of work, then it is of essential value to do a technical strategic planning study on the ore body, creating different scenarios as to mine the ore body with emphasis on Life of the mine and in the same breath the economic viability of mining in the chosen scenario. The research report have a look at four different scenarios whereby there are certain constraints applied, and the outcome of the schedules are used to make a calculated decision on the best way of mining this specific ore body. Pit designs have been created from Whittle optimized pitshells which then have been incorporated within the schedules. It has been found that Scenarios 1 and 2 will have some years with very high waste removal, which will be above the current fleet capacity, but the required plant feed and grade would be possible from period one. Scenario 3 have proven that if fleet capacity is the main constraint then steady state of feed to the plant can only be achieved in the 7th year of production, but render no extra fleet requirements. As recommended, Scenario 4 stood to be the best if the acquisition of extra equipment is possible, and then steady state in the plant can be achieved in the 4th year with the lowest production percentage of 84% in the first year