Publication :

Integrating mineralurgical and geomechanical data to the ultimate pit design process : the case of the J4 pit at Troilus mine

La conception des fosses ainsi que l'évaluation des ressources géologiques et des réserves minières sont désormais réalisées entièrement à l'aide d'outils informatiques spécialisés. Cependant, plusieurs analyses, pourtant essentielles à l'évaluation de la viabilité du projet, sont réalisées en parallèle sans véritable optimisation ni synergie avec l'ensemble des données disponibles. Cet article présente deux approches permettant d'intégrer certains types d'analyses aux modèles de blocs miniers. Ces approches permettent de quantifier la broyabilité du massif rocheux ainsi que d'étudier la stabilité des pentes minières à même les outils d'optimisation et de planification minières. Cette méthode permet dès l'étude de faisabilité d'un projet minier de maximiser les données disponibles, menant ainsi à une approche plus intégrée en conception minière. De plus, ces approches sont flexibles et permettent d'évaluer rapidement plusieurs scénarios, tout en laissant la possibilité de bonifier le modèle et de revoir la conception tout au long du projet minier. Pit design and geological resources and mining reserves assessments are now carried out using specialized computer tools. However, several analyses, essential for evaluating project viability, are carried out in parallel without real optimization or synergy with all the available data. This article presents two approaches integrating certain types of analyses to mine block models. These approaches are used to quantify the grindability of the rock mass and to study the stability of mine slopes with the mining optimization and planning tools. Using this method, the available data can be maximized right at the feasibility study stage, thus leading to a better-integrated mining design. These approaches are also flexible and allow the rapid assessment of several scenarios, all while keeping open the possibility of improving the model and reviewing the design during the entire mining project.

Pit design and geological resources and mining reserves assessments are now carried out using specialized computer tools. However, several analyses, essential for evaluating project viability, are carried out in parallel without real optimization or synergy with all the available data. This article presents two approaches integrating certain types of analyses to mine block models. These approaches are used to quantify the grindability of the rock mass and to study the stability of mine slopes with the mining optimization and planning tools. Using this method, the available data can be maximized right at the feasibility study stage, thus leading to a better-integrated mining design. These approaches are also flexible and allow the rapid assessment of several scenarios, all while keeping open the possibility of improving the model and reviewing the design during the entire mining projec