Mining - Definitions

Types of Mines Open Cast

Types of Mines Underground

A typical Open Cast Mine

Mine
Bench

Haul
Road

Dumping
Area

A typical Open Cast Mine

Bench
Height

Bench
Width

Stripping Ratio

Overburden

Ore
The unit amount of overburden that must be removed to gain access to a similar unit
amount of coal or mineral material.

Volumes
Undisturbed material in the
ground, before excavation.

Volume of material when it is loaded on the truck.

Loose Volume is larger than Bank Volume since the
material expands when excavated

Volume of the material after leveling and

compaction on the site. This volume is smaller than
the loose volume and can be larger or smaller than
the bank volume depending on material properties.

Typical Volume Variation

Volume Variation during Excavation and Transport

Density
Density = Weight / Volume
Density is expressed in kg/m3 or Tons / m3

Density Variation during Excavation and Transport

Density of same material may be different depending on whether it is bank,
loose or in compact form.

Swell Factor
Swell Factor = Loose Volume / Bank Volume
When soil or rock material is loaded into a truck, the volume increases
due to expansion of the material.

Typical
Densities
(Tests must be carried out to
determine exact material
characteristics)

Typical Mining Equipment

Loading Equipment

Hauling Equipment

Grading Equipment

Bucket Capacity 1.3m3 to 3.5 m3

Excludes Drilling and Blasting Equipment

Lead Distance
Dumping

Loading

Lead
Typically 0.5 to 5 kms

Gradient
Expressed as x in y or % or degrees
For example 1 in 16
z= (1/16)X 100 = 6.25%
In Degrees = tan-1(1/16)=3.58

(z) %

(y) 16 m

(x)
1m

In Indian Mines Gradient is Typically 1 in 16 and sometimes 1 in 10

Gradients are encountered generally from Loading to Dumping

Dumping

Loading

Loading

Excavators

Wheel Loaders

Bucket Capacity in m3 / tons

Cycle Time = Time taken for excavation and dumping of each bucket
Loading Time = No. of Buckets X Cycle Time
Total Excavator output / hr = Bucket capacity in m3
Cycle Time in hrs

Excavator output per day = Output per hour X avg. working hours per day
Excavators required = Total excavation volume per day / Excavator output per day

Cycle Time for Haulage Vehicle

Loading Time
+
Travel Time to Dump Yard
+
Dumping Time
+
Travel Time to Return for loading
+
Any Waiting time

Average Cycle Time for various leads should be considered

Vehicle Productivity Parameters

Trips per day = Total working hrs available / day
Vehicle average cycle time
Output per day = Trips per day X Banked Volume carried in m3
Annual Output = Output per day X Available days per month X No.
of months available for working in a year
excluding monsoon months
Vehicles required per excavator
= Excavator output per hour / Vehicle output per hour
Total vehicles required = Excavators required X vehicles / excavator