An analysis of the impact of potholes and waste over-break on the economics of a stope panel on a platinum mine
In the Bushveld Complex, potholes provide challenges that have proven difficultfor management to handle. The lack of innovative ways of solving the challengesprovided an environment in which value destructive paradigms came intoexistence. There currently exists as a result, a paradigm in which tonnes, ratherthan quality tonnes (tonnes against a certain grade) are the main focus of minemanagement. In this paradigm has long existed a rule of thumb that dictated thata panel can remain economically viable with two-thirds of its facelength being offreef.This research employs a simple MS Office Excel-based model to investigate theimpact of varying pothole size and primary contamination on the rule of thumb. Apractical industry example is then used to show the impact on business, of thecurrent paradigm.This research found that the amount of off-reef that a stope panel in a platinummine can tolerate is largely dependent on the operation’s overall pay limit andthat the off-reef tolerance decreases with increasing pay limit. For the particularmine that this research was carried out on, the findings are that the maximum offreefthat a panel can mine is forty-two percent.Finally, based on the findings of this research, recommendations and additionalareas of research are identified, which could help mine management in theplatinum industry achieve a paradigm shift, as well as enhance the findings inthis report.
Year of publication: |
2009-03-20
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Authors: | Tlhapi, Kabelo |
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