DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

MINING ENGINEERING
SURFACE MINING 2107 ASSINGMENT 1
GROUP MEMBERS
SIFISO MAPHOSA G0210963J
PANASHE MASHAMAIRE G0210588H
DILLAN MASENDA G0210888D
SICELO MAKANUKO G0211353L
DESMOND MASUKU G0211773Q
GRAIG T. NDINEYI G0212088M

Assignment due 11/11/22

Question 5
Discuss the distinguishing features between strip mining and open pit mining. What is
the impact of each method on environmental rehabilitation and restoration?
Strip mining is the systematic and selective extraction of overburden and mineralised zones
which near surface depth and shallow dip angle whereas open pit mining is near surface
excavation of an ore deposit using one or more horizontal benches to extract the ore while
dumping overburden and tailings at a dedicated site outside the final pit boundary. The ore
body mined using strip mining is near the surface that is less than 60m and that mined using
open pit mining is more than 60m but less than 120m. Strip mining is used to mine a
horizontal seam whereas open pit mining is used to mine inclined, narrow, wide, circular and
irregular seams. In strip mining there is back filling by direct casting and in open cast mining
there is outside dumping. Strip mining works on a large area whereas open pit mining works
on small areas. The strip mining method removes strip of overlaying soil and rocks whereas
in opencast mining overburden is drilled and blasted….. over an area above the oil shore
zone. Strip mining works in dry areas whereas open pit mining works lower in the ground
where the water level is. There are no machinery restrictions in open pit mining, heavy and
bulky machinery can be utilized while there are machinery restrictions in strip mining. The
ore body in open cast mining is extracted in the form of benches where as in strip mining it is
first exposed before it is mined.
The impact of each method on environmental rehabilitation and restoration
o Underground water contamination
o Topography and habit change
o Alteration of the soil profile
o Health hazards
o Displacement of communities
o Revitalisation of areas
New people are brought in and new economic (fish breeding) and recreational
activities (bungee jumping, sight seeing).
o Loss of diversity vegetation including deforestation

Question 6
There are various stages in exploration and geological techniques that any mining
venture must go through. Discuss these exploration processes for various minerals
starting from regional to establishment of an open cast mine. At every stage, give a
detailed account of various drilling or non-drilling methods used in the exploratory
work and ore reserve estimation and classification.
One of the first steps of mineral exploration is to locate areas that are likely to yield mineral
deposits. Since mineral deposits tend to form in clusters, prospective areas may be near other
areas of known mineralization or near existing mine sites. They may also be identified with
aeromagnetic surveys, satellite photos, or detailed maps. Prospectors must ensure the
prospective area is open to mining and that no existing claims are placed on the land. After
this research is conducted, the prospector will likely stake a claim on a potential mineral site.
Learn more about claim staking here. Next, prospectors will map outcrops and showings and
search for indicator minerals. This provides early geological sampling and analysis. The goal
of this stage of mineral exploration is to identify areas with “clues” that mineral deposits may
be present in the area. After a claim has been filed, prospectors will begin early stages of
mineral exploration. This typically includes geophysical studies such as gravitational,
magnetic, and electromagnetic surveys. The purpose of these surveys is to find anomalies or
indicators that mineral deposits may be present. Early-stage mineral exploration may also
include rock and soil sampling, analysing data from previous exploration, and conducting
surface mapping. The purpose of this stage of mineral exploration is to increase confidence
about the potential project’s viability. It will also identify drill targets if mineral exploration
continues past this stage. After a certain level of confidence is attained, core drilling will take
place to prove and analyse mineral deposits. Core drilling refers to drilling a small diameter
of rock (called core) from the earth. These holes may be drilled up to tens, hundreds, or even
thousands of meters. This core is logged, then analysed for prospective minerals. Core
samples are submitted to an assay lab to measure how much metal is in the rock. If initial
core drilling results are positive, additional drilling often takes place to create more definitive
resource modeling and resource estimates. Often, this follow-up drilling is used to develop a
3D resource model of where deposits may be located underground. Mining requires a
significant amount of investment and resources, which is why further tests and assessments
are typically completed at this stage of mineral exploration. These tests and assessments may
include additional follow-up drilling, metallurgical tests, environmental assessments, risk
assessment, resource modelling, mine design and strategy, Preliminary Economic Assessment
(PEA) and feasibility Study