Open-Pit Mining Operations Course

Lesson 1 • Open-Pit Mining Industry Overview

Covers the global role of open-pit mining, commodity types, and economic drivers. Connects industry context to operational decision-making throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • The Mining Value Chain

Maps the sequence from exploration through processing and reclamation. Students understand how each operational phase depends on upstream decisions.

Lesson 3 • Ore and Waste Classification

Explains how ore grades, cut-off grades, and waste rock are defined and categorised. Accurate classification underpins economic planning and material routing decisions.

Lesson 1 • Resource and Reserve Classification

Applies internationally recognised confidence categories to convert resources into mineable reserves. Students learn how classification affects mine scheduling and investor reporting.

Lesson 2 • Rock Types and Structural Geology

Covers igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock properties relevant to mining. Structural features such as faults and joints directly influence slope stability and blasting design.

Lesson 3 • Resource Estimation Methods

Introduces geostatistical and classical estimation techniques used to quantify ore bodies. Estimation accuracy directly affects pit design and financial projections.

Lesson 4 • Drilling and Sampling Programmes

Explains exploration drilling methods, core logging, and sampling protocols. Quality sampling data is the foundation of reliable resource estimation.

Lesson 1 • Pit Slope Stability Principles

Covers geotechnical factors governing safe slope angles including rock strength and groundwater. Slope design decisions directly constrain pit geometry and stripping ratios.

Lesson 2 • Pit Optimisation Techniques

Applies Lerchs-Grossmann and floating cone algorithms to identify the optimal pit shell. Optimisation balances revenue, mining cost, and processing cost at varying commodity prices.

Lesson 3 • Practical Pit Layout Design

Integrates slope, optimisation, and road design into a complete pit layout using design software. Students produce a documented pit design ready for scheduling input.

Lesson 4 • Stripping Ratio Analysis

Quantifies the relationship between waste removed and ore extracted to assess economic viability. Stripping ratio analysis guides pushback sequencing and capital expenditure planning.

Lesson 1 • Blast Design Parameters

Teaches burden, spacing, stemming, and subdrilling calculations for production blasts. Correct parameter selection controls fragmentation size distribution and muck pile shape.

Lesson 2 • Blast Safety and Hazard Control

Establishes exclusion zones, misfire procedures, and post-blast inspection protocols. Safety controls prevent injuries from flyrock, toxic fumes, and misfired charges.

Lesson 3 • Drilling Equipment and Methods

Covers rotary, down-the-hole, and top-hammer drill types used in production blasting. Equipment selection affects penetration rate, hole accuracy, and operating cost.

Lesson 4 • Explosives Types and Properties

Explains the chemical and physical properties of ANFO, emulsions, and bulk explosives. Explosive selection is matched to rock conditions, water presence, and fragmentation requirements.

Lesson 1 • Scheduling Software and Tools

Introduces industry scheduling platforms and their integration with block models and pit designs. Students practise building and adjusting schedules using software-based workflows.

Lesson 2 • Short-Term Production Scheduling

Translates strategic plans into monthly and weekly dig plans with equipment assignments. Short-term schedules drive daily operational decisions and performance measurement.

Lesson 3 • Production Rate and Capacity Planning

Calculates required fleet size and bench advance rates to meet annual production targets. Capacity planning prevents bottlenecks between mining, haulage, and processing.

Lesson 4 • Material Movement and Routing

Defines how ore and waste are routed to stockpiles, crushers, and dumps based on grade and type. Effective routing maximises mill feed quality and minimises rehandling costs.

Lesson 1 • In-Pit Crushing and Conveying

Covers semi-mobile and fully mobile crusher systems combined with conveyor haulage as truck alternatives. IPCC systems reduce haulage costs on deep pits with long haul distances.

Lesson 2 • Haul Truck Types and Specifications

Covers rigid-frame and articulated haul trucks, payload classes, and mechanical drive versus electric drive. Truck selection is matched to haul distance, gradient, and material density.

Lesson 3 • Truck Cycle Time Analysis

Breaks down loading, hauling, dumping, and return segments to calculate total cycle time. Cycle time analysis identifies productivity losses and guides dispatch optimisation.

Lesson 4 • Fleet Management and Dispatch

Introduces dispatch systems that assign trucks to shovels in real time to maximise productivity. Effective dispatch reduces idle time and balances shovel utilisation across the pit.

Lesson 1 • Geotechnical Hazard Identification

Identifies failure modes including planar, wedge, circular, and toppling failures in pit walls. Hazard identification is the first step in designing an effective monitoring programme.

Lesson 2 • Slope Monitoring Instrumentation

Covers prisms, radar, extensometers, and piezometers used to detect wall movement and groundwater. Instrument selection depends on failure mode, monitoring frequency, and access constraints.

Lesson 3 • Slope Failure Response Protocols

Establishes procedures for evacuation, exclusion zones, and remediation following slope movement. Response protocols minimise injury risk and restore safe access to affected areas.

Lesson 4 • Groundwater Management in Pit Walls

Explains how pore water pressure reduces effective stress and destabilises slopes. Dewatering and depressurisation strategies are integrated into slope management plans.

Lesson 1 • Waste Rock and Tailings Management

Covers waste dump design, tailings storage facility types, and geochemical stability requirements. Poor waste management causes long-term environmental liability and regulatory penalties.

Lesson 2 • Dust and Air Quality Management

Identifies dust generation sources and applies suppression and monitoring controls. Air quality management protects worker health and meets community and regulatory standards.

Lesson 3 • Water Management and Quality Control

Addresses pit water, runoff, and seepage management to protect surface and groundwater quality. Water management plans integrate with dewatering, tailings, and waste dump design.

Lesson 4 • Environmental Impact Assessment

Covers the structure and content of environmental impact assessments required before mine approval. EIA findings shape operational controls and monitoring obligations throughout the mine life.