Prieska Mine Definitive Feasibility
Underground
Location & Client
Prieska, Northern Cape, South Africa Orion Minerals.
Mining Method
Underground Various Methods.
Study Accuracy
DFS (+5% -15%) Longitudinal and transverse LHOS, DAF and Low profile DAF
Introduction
A&B Global Group have been closely involved in the Prieska Underground Copper Mine feasibility study for Orion Minerals. The intention is to progress the project to implementation and execution. The historical flooded mine shows potential for re-opening and A&B Global Group was asked with the mining engineering and LOM planning of the underground Copper/Zinc reserve. The Project’s base-case underground plan during the Foundation Phase is to de-water and refurbish the shaft, establish new underground infrastructure and start mining the hypogene ore body. The target rate for the underground production of 200ktpm RoM material.
Challenge
Finding an effective mining strategy to ensure low mining costs is achieved throughout the LOM. Due the nature of the deposit within the inselberg, access is restricted and a new ramp or roadway had to be constructed to facilitate ore transportation to the plant.
Solution
A&B Global Group in conjunction with the Orion mining team developed a detailed and feasible, from a practical and economical point of view, mine design and production schedule. The ore body was defined and demarcated/split into four zones and each zone was designed according to its selected mining method. The designs was combined and practically aligned to facilitate production scheduling. The selection of the mining methods was determined by A&B Global Group, based upon the local width and dip of the ore body. After several re-iterations a practical and achievable schedule, as per the requirements of the study, was produced which showed positive NPV results.