THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MINES AND MINERALS SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

NAME: ABEL MUSONDA NDASHE

SIN: 19151121
PROGRAMME: BSc MINING AND EXPLORATION AND
GEOLOGY
COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO MINING ENGINEERING
CODE: MI 213
ASSIGNMENT: ONE
LECTURER: DR PRECIOUS CHISALA MWANZA

Question: Provide a detailed write-up on the stages in the life of a mine. Your
answer should make reference to the sequence of activities.
 INTRODUCTION

Mining refers to the process of extracting minerals and other geological materials
from the earth's crust. These minerals can include coal, metals, gemstones, oil, and
natural gas, among others. Mining has been a crucial part of human civilization for
thousands of years and has played a significant role in the development of economies
and societies worldwide.

Mining may well have been the second of humankind’s earliest endeavours – granted
that agriculture was the first. The two industries ranked together as the primary or
basic industries of early civilization. Little has changed in the importance of these
industries since the beginning of civilization. If we consider fishing and lumbering as
part of agriculture and oil and gas production as part of mining, then agriculture and
mining continue to supply all the basic resources used by modern civilization
(Hartman and Mutmansky, 2002).

Stages in the Life of a Mine

The overall sequence of activities in modern mining is often compared with the five
stages in the life of a mine: prospecting, exploration, development, exploitation, and
reclamation. Prospecting and exploration, precursors to actual mining, are linked and
sometimes put together as one. Geologists and mining engineers often share
responsibility for these two stages geologists more involved with the former, mining
engineers more with the latter. Likewise, development and exploitation are closely
related stages; they are usually considered to constitute mining proper and are the
main province of the mining engineer. Reclamation has been added to these stages
since the first edition, to reflect the times. Closure and reclamation of the mine site
has become a necessary part of the mine life cycle because of the demands of society
for a cleaner environment and stricter laws regulating the abandonment of a mine. The
overall process of developing a mine with the future uses of the land in mind is
termed sustainable development. This concept was defined in a book entitled ‘Our
Common Future’ (World Commission on Environment and Development,1987).
PROSPECTING
Prospecting is the process of searching for minerals and precious metals in the earth's
crust. It involves the systematic exploration of a region to identify potential mineral
deposits that can be mined profitably. The objective of prospecting is to find areas
that contain high concentrations of valuable minerals and metals. These mineral
deposits or metals maybe located either at or below the earth’s surface hence both
direct and indirect prospecting methods are employed. Direct method of discovery
usually limited to surface and consist of visual examination of either the outcrop of
the deposit or some loosely fragments that have weathered away. During prospecting,
geologic study or the desk study of an entire is done.

Geological mapping: This involves studying the geological structure and composition
of the earth's crust in the search area. It helps to identify potential mineral-bearing
rocks and structures that can host valuable minerals.

Geochemical sampling: This involves collecting samples of rocks, soil, and water in
the search area to analyze for the presence of minerals and metals. This helps to
identify the type and quality of minerals that can be found in the area.

Geophysical surveys: This involves the use of specialized equipment to measure the
physical properties of the earth's crust in the search area. These properties include
magnetic fields, electrical conductivity, and seismic waves, which can be used to
identify potential mineral deposits.

Drilling: This involves drilling holes in the ground to collect samples of rock and soil
from deep below the surface. These samples are then analyzed to determine the
quality and quantity of minerals present.

Overall, prospecting is a critical step in the mining process, as it helps to identify

potential mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. It requires a combination of
geological, geochemical, and geophysical techniques, as well as advanced data
analysis and exploration activities.

EXPLORATION

The second stage in the life of a mine, exploration, determines as accurately as

possible the size and value of a mineral deposit, utilizing techniques similar to but
more refined than those used in prospecting. The testing of a number of places for
natural resources, e.g. drilling or boring for samples that will examined for possible
mineral deposits. It start with an idea of an idea or geologic model that identifies lands
worthy of further exploration. The line of demarcation between prospecting and
exploration is not sharp; in fact, a distinction may not be possible in some cases.
Exploration generally shifts to surface and subsurface locations, using a variety of
measurements to obtain a more positive picture of the extent and grade of the ore
body.
Overall, exploration is a critical step in the mining process, as it helps to identify
potential mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. It requires a combination of
geological, geochemical, and geophysical techniques, as well as advanced data
analysis and feasibility studies.

DEVELOPMENT
This is the third stage in the life cycle of mine which involves the opening of mine for
exploitation is done. Once the plan has been confirmed, the real work can begin. This
is the longest stage of the process so far, and can take anywhere from 10-20 years
before the mine is ready for production, depending on the site size.
Access to the deposit must be gained either (1) by stripping the overburden, which is
the soil and/or rock covering the deposit, to expose the near-surface ore for mining or
(2) by excavating openings from the surface to access more deeply buried deposits to
prepare for underground mining. Development works such as acquiring water and
mineral rights, buying surface lands, arranging for financing, and preparing permit
applications and an environmental impact statement (EIS), will generally be required
before any development takes place.

EXPLOITATION
The exploitation stage, also known as the production stage, is the stage in the
mining cycle when the actual mining of minerals and metals takes place. This stage
involves the extraction, processing, and refining of mineral ores to obtain valuable
metals and minerals. The exploitation stage is a complex and highly technical process
that involves a range of activities, including the following:
Mine development: This involves building the necessary infrastructure for mining
operations, including roads, rail lines, power plants, water supply systems, and waste
management facilities.

Extraction of minerals: This involves the removal of overburden (the material that
overlies the mineral deposit), drilling and blasting to break up the rock, and the
excavation of the ore.

Transportation of minerals: This involves the movement of the ore from the mine to
the processing plant or refinery. It may involve trucks, conveyor belts, or rail cars

Processing of minerals: This involves the physical and chemical treatment of the ore
to extract the valuable metals and minerals. The process can include crushing,
grinding, washing, flotation, leaching, and smelting.

The exploitation stage is a critical stage in the mining cycle, as it generates the
revenue that pays for the cost of exploration and development activities. It is also a
stage that can have a significant environmental impact, which is why responsible
mining practices and environmental stewardship are essential. Proper management of
waste materials, reclamation of disturbed land, and responsible water management are
all important aspects of the exploitation stage of the mining cycle.

RECLAIMATION

The final stage in the operation of most mines is reclamation, the process of closing a
mine and re-contouring, re-vegetating, and restoring the water and land values. The
best time to begin the reclamation process of a mine is before the first excavations are
initiated. In other words, mine planning engineers should plan the mine so that the
reclamation process is considered and the overall cost of mining plus reclamation is
minimized, not just the cost of mining itself. The new philosophy in the mining
industry is sustainability, that is, the meeting of economic and environmental needs of
the present while enhancing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(National Mining Association (U.S.), 1998).
In planning for the reclamation of any given mine, there are many concerns that must
be addressed. The first of these is the safety of the mine site, particularly if the area is
open to the general public. The removal of office buildings, processing facilities,
transportation equipment, utilities, and other surface structures must generally be
accomplished. The mining company is then required to seal all mine shafts, adits, and
other openings that may present physical hazards. Any existing highwalls or other
geologic structures may require mitigation to prevent injuries or death due to geologic
failures.

The conclusion of a mine's life cycle is known as mine closure or mine

decommissioning. This is the final stage of a mine's operation and involves the
cessation of mining activities and the complete closure of the mine site.

The closure process can take several years and involves various activities such as
dismantling infrastructure, reclaiming disturbed lands, rehabilitating the site, and
managing environmental impacts. The main objective of mine closure is to ensure that
the site is left in a safe and stable condition and that any negative environmental,
social, and economic impacts are minimized or mitigated.

During the closure process, a mine operator must comply with all applicable laws and
regulations, including obtaining permits, conducting environmental assessments, and
preparing closure plans. The operator must also engage with local communities and
stakeholders to ensure their interests and concerns are addressed.
REFERENCES

National Minerals Information Center. (2019). Mineral Exploration. U.S. Geological

Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/mineral-exploration

Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration. (2019). The Stages of Mine
Development. https://me.smenet.org/webContent.cfm?context=1&webarticleid=1285

Mining Association of Canada. (2019). Life Cycle of a Mine. https://mining.ca/life-

cycle-mine

"Mine Management" by F.G. Bell

"Mine Closure Handbook" by Walter Lee and Colin Robinson
"Mineral Exploration and Mining Essentials" by Robert Stevens