Sequential glory hole approach as a new mining method for sustainable operations

Abstract

Some mines use shafts to outflow the material mined by surface methods aiming to reduce the average distance of haulage. However, this application is restricted due to the unavailability of a methodology devoted to integrating the underground structures with surface mining plans. This mismatch implies an intensive use of trucks for haulage operations. How can open pit mining operations with mobile equipment be developed without using trucks? The present study aims to develop a mining method that integrates underground structures, for material outflow, with the surface mining development reducing the truck fleet. Considering this innovative mining geometry, haulage can employ alternative equipment or even adopt the truckless concept. After the geometric simulations using mine planning software tools, the proposed method has reached a strip ratio reduction of 8.3%. In addition, the method allowed the stacking of waste rocks and dewatered tailings in mined areas during the mining of subsequent pushbacks. These results make mining more sustainable, since it reduces area affected by waste piles and tailings dams.