TY - THES

T1 - Feasibility Study of Aynak Copper Deposit-Technology Planning

AU - SHADAB, Sayed Zabihullah

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Considering the great demands for minerals, mining companies desire to have the technology, which is cost-effective and applicable to the site conditions. It is known to all, and also it is addressed in different articles and scientific papers, that materials handling constitute 45 -60 % of total operating costs in large open pit mines [1]. Based on these situations, firms manufacturing equipment that have less operating costs and meet the mining company?s requirements. While conducting a pre-feasibility study of a mineral deposit, it is vital to consider site specifications and geological conditions of the mineral deposit, in order to determine which technology will be applicable, and the haw many numbers of equipment will be needed because it has a direct link to the overall mining capital costs of the deposit. Proper selection of the technology or equipment during the pre-feasibility stage results to a positive outcome, because the findings of pre-feasibility makes the foundation for the actual and detailed feasibility study. The most important tool among others used for the extraction and development of a mineral deposit are the technologies or machineries. Considering site specifications and geological conditions of the mineral deposit, different possible technologies are available. Cost is a key element in equipment selection procedure because of that, efforts are being made to select the most appropriate and cost effective technology for the development of the mineral deposit. In this thesis, some of the equipment used in the development of a surface mine are discussed and compared briefly. For the mechanical breakage, equipment such as surface miners and rippers are discussed. Rotary and percussive drill rigs, shovels, and dump trucks are considered for drilling and blasting, and materials handling. The discussion is focused on their types, applicability in different types of rocks, productivity, and the advantage and disadvantages of the individual technology. After evaluation of equipment for the mining technology, the most feasible and appropriate technology was selected based on the geological and mechanical properties (such as hardness, strength, Geological Strength Index, and few other factors) of rocks and soils. The same procedure was also followed for the loading and transport technologies.

AB - Considering the great demands for minerals, mining companies desire to have the technology, which is cost-effective and applicable to the site conditions. It is known to all, and also it is addressed in different articles and scientific papers, that materials handling constitute 45 -60 % of total operating costs in large open pit mines [1]. Based on these situations, firms manufacturing equipment that have less operating costs and meet the mining company?s requirements. While conducting a pre-feasibility study of a mineral deposit, it is vital to consider site specifications and geological conditions of the mineral deposit, in order to determine which technology will be applicable, and the haw many numbers of equipment will be needed because it has a direct link to the overall mining capital costs of the deposit. Proper selection of the technology or equipment during the pre-feasibility stage results to a positive outcome, because the findings of pre-feasibility makes the foundation for the actual and detailed feasibility study. The most important tool among others used for the extraction and development of a mineral deposit are the technologies or machineries. Considering site specifications and geological conditions of the mineral deposit, different possible technologies are available. Cost is a key element in equipment selection procedure because of that, efforts are being made to select the most appropriate and cost effective technology for the development of the mineral deposit. In this thesis, some of the equipment used in the development of a surface mine are discussed and compared briefly. For the mechanical breakage, equipment such as surface miners and rippers are discussed. Rotary and percussive drill rigs, shovels, and dump trucks are considered for drilling and blasting, and materials handling. The discussion is focused on their types, applicability in different types of rocks, productivity, and the advantage and disadvantages of the individual technology. After evaluation of equipment for the mining technology, the most feasible and appropriate technology was selected based on the geological and mechanical properties (such as hardness, strength, Geological Strength Index, and few other factors) of rocks and soils. The same procedure was also followed for the loading and transport technologies.

KW - Feasibility Study

KW - Aynak Copper

KW - Deposit-Technology Planning

KW - Feasibility Study

KW - Aynak Copper

KW - Deposit-Technology Planning

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -