Open Pit Exploitation

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of geoscience.   

Teaching Methods

Classroom teaching with the following components:

Theoretical: using audiovisual means to facilitate the understanding of concepts, models and methodologies. Students will participate in lectures, through its intervention or, occasionally, by presenting subjects within the discipline syllabus.

Theoretical-Practical: application of theoretical knowledge to practical cases, by solving problems. Analysis of Quarry and Open Pit Mining Projects and other educational materials related to the discipline. Use of laboratory equipment. Tutorial support, problems resolution and field trip to a quarry.  

Learning Outcomes

The course aims to:

A. Realize the importance of national legislation on operations in the extractive industry.

B. Understand the operations of national and international markets of mineral resources, and its importance to economic development.

C. Acquire knowledge of sustainable systems in open pit mines and quarries, taking into account technical constraints, environmental and health and safety at work.

Skills to developed:

Instrumental: competence in analysis and synthesis, skills to solve problems.

Personal: competence in critical thinking and competence in working in interdisciplinary teams.

Systemic: competence in applying theoretical knowledge in practice, competence in planning and managing, concern for quality, competence in autonomous learning. 

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Classification of mineral deposits. Mining legislation.

2. The importance of mineral resources in economic development. Valuation of geological resources: prospecting, exploration, reconnaissance, exploitation, improvement and marketing.

3. Quarry Project and Mining Project: Phases of planning and development of a project in mineral industry. The implementation and control of a project. Planning methods and activities schedule.

4. Main operations in geological resources exploitation: Compressed air, drilling, drainage and sewage, explosives (blasting, rock blasting diagrams), loading and removal (dimension fleets of dumpers / loaders and conveyor belts). Technical and cost analysis.

5. Operating methods: underground mining and open pit.

6. Exploration of ornamental stone and industrial rocks.

7. Environmental impact caused by mining, mitigating measures. Health and safety in the mining industry. 

Head Lecturer(s)

Fernando Pedro Ortega de Oliveira Figueiredo

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Report of a seminar or field trip: 10.0%
Resolution Problems: 15.0%
Research work: 15.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

- Couto, R.T.S. (1984) - Lavra a céu aberto e equipamentos principais. Tese de doutoramento, UP.

- European Commission, Enterprise and Industry (2010) - Critical raw materials for the EU - Report of the Ad-hoc Working Group on defining critical raw materials.

- Gentry, D. W. e Neil, T. J. (1984)- Mine Investment analysis. Society of Mining Engineers, New York.

- Goís, J. C.; Vieira, A. (2011) - Manual do Operador de Produtos Explosivos - Um guia de apoio para a formação. AP3E e ANIET.

- Hartman, H.; Mutmansky, J.M (2002) – Introductory Mining Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

- Hustrulid, W., Kuchata, M.; Martin, R. (2013) - Open Pit Mine Planning & Design, Volume 1 - Fundamentals. CRC Press.

- Jimeno, C.L., Jimeno, E.L. e Bermúdez, P.G. (2003) - Manual de Perforación y Voladura de Rocas.

- Legislação diversa aplicada à Indústria Extrativa.

- Novais, J. (2013) - Ar Comprimido Industrial - Produção, Tratamento e Distribuição - 3ª edição. Fund. Gulbenkian.