Conceptual Analyses of Waste Dump Options Used to Prepare a Detailed Progressive Waste Dump Life-of-Mine Plan

Authors: Journet, NC Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/802_8

Cite As:
Journet, NC 2008, 'Conceptual Analyses of Waste Dump Options Used to Prepare a Detailed Progressive Waste Dump Life-of-Mine Plan', in AB Fourie (ed.), Rock Dumps 2008: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on the Management of Rock Dumps, Stockpiles and Heap Leach Pads, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 93-105, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/802_8



Abstract:
The paper describes a study recently undertaken to analyse waste dump options and prepare a detailed waste dump strategy for an open pit project. The open pit is expected to produce around 220 million bcm of waste rock over an 18 year mine life. The study was carried out in three phases. The first phase was an options analysis which considered the impact on dumping costs of releasing progressively larger areas of terrain as potential waste dump footprint. Some of these areas had previously been described as environmentally sensitive and the client wished to examine the economic impact of preserving such areas. One portion of the lease identified in the options analysis is prime dump footprint but has not yet been sterilised. The second phase examined the impact on cash flow from higher dumping costs if the sterilisation programme were to be delayed by 12 or 24 months. The final phase used results from the earlier work to develop a detailed dumping sequence to develop the landform over the life of the project. The study shows how a robust operating plan for a rock dump can be developed by first understanding the conceptual parameters likely to impact the overall landform.