Transitional phase for small steeply dipping ore bodies from open pit to underground mining : a case study from Scandinavian mining industry

The transition from open pit to underground mining involves drastically changes in the production system. The equipment for underground mining will change as well as the logistics and the transportation system. Demands of rock stability and control will also change in nature and in equipment needed. At the same time the large investments in underground infrastructure and equipment require short lead times to maintain a high cash flow for the companies. Without proper planning many problems can arise influencing the production flow. Therefore it is essential to have detailed planning and modeling before reaching the transitional depth of the mine. Computer software like Surpac can be a suitable tool for simultaneously planning of both the open pit and the underground mining operation.This paper presents some experiences from Björkdal Gold mine, one of the earliest and largest Gold mines in Scandinavia. The paper presents the mine and how the transition from surface to underground mining has been handled and optimized.Godkänd; 2012; 20130521 (ysko