Mining operations are complex.
They aren’t your run-of-the-mill type projects. These billion dollar complexes consist of various interconnected projects, operating simultaneously to deliver refined commodities like gold, silver, coal and iron ore. While every new mining project has its own requirements and needs an individual, tailored plan to take it from discovery into production, virtually all miners follow the same general process that forms the backbone of mine development. We’ve broken this five stage process down using GIFs.1. Exploration and prospecting

2. Mine-site design and planning

3. Construction

4. Production

- The first step in the production stage is recovering the minerals; this is the process of extracting the ore from rock using a variety of tools and machinery.
- The second step is processing; the recovered minerals are processed through huge crushers or mills to separate commercially valuable minerals from their ores.
- Once processed, the ore is then transported to smelting facilities.
- The final step in production is smelting; this process involves melting the concentrate in a furnance to extract the metal from its ore. The ore is then poured into moulds, producing bars of bullion, which are then ready for sale.
5. Closure and reclamation

- ensuring public health and safety
- minimizing environmental effects
- removing waste and hazardous material
- preserving water quality
- stabilizing land to protect against erosion
- establishing new landforms and vegetation
- Remediation. Cleaning up the contaminated area, including water.
- Reclamation. Stabilising the terrain, landscaping and topsoil replacement to make the land useful once again.
- Restoration. Rebuilding any part of the ecosystem that was disturbed as a result of the mine such as flora and fauna.
- Rehabilitation. Rehabilitating the site to a stable and self-rejuvenating state, either as it was before the mine was built or as a new equivalent ecosystem.
- Mine shutdown. Production is halted, equipment is taken offline and the workforce is scaled back.
- Decommissioning. The operation and equipment is taken apart, waste is disposed of, buildings are demolished or repurposed and the site is cleaned.
- Remediation or reclamation. Returning the land, trees, topsoil, water and wider ecosystem to a satisfactory state while removing contaminants or hazardous materials.
- Post-closure. Monitoring programmes initiated to ensure shut down is effective and highlight any further work that needs to be completed.
FAQ:
What are the 5 stages of the mining life cycle?
There are five stages of the mining life cycle, these include: exploration, mine-site design and planning, construction, production, and closure and reclamation.
What is mine rehabilitation?
According to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, mine rehab (rehabilitation) is “the process used to repair the impacts of mining on the environment. Mine rehabilitation can also be referred to as coal mine rehabilitation, land rehabilitation, mine site rehabilitation or mine site restoration.
What are the different types of mine rehabilitation?
According to the Minerals Council of Australia, there are several different types of mine rehabilitation including: cropping, conservation, grazing, and native restoration.
Why should a mine be rehabilitated?
According to the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, there are four key factors that make up the business case for mine rehabilitation. They are: 1. Project approval 2. Compliance risk 3. Financial liability 4. Reputational risk
How to drive progressive mine rehabilitation
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