MINE PLAN DEVELOPMENT UTILIZING A DIGITAL DATABASE

The development of a mine plan for an aggregate quarry assimilates geology, GIS, and engineering data. Together, these types of information determine the most efficient and effective method of recovering the highest quality rock while minimizing the removal of overburden and other waste material. The use of a relational database (Techbase software) with graphical capabilities allows modeling of the subsurface geology, which ultimately can be used to calculate recoverable reserves. Regional exploration projects involve merging multiple DEMs (digital elevation models) to provide a high-resolution tool than can be used to focus on key target areas. Site-specific projects in existing quarries require combining DEM topography with the pit topography, which is obtained from low altitude aerial photographs. High-resolution topography (typically on a 10 or 30 m scale) coupled with data from test holes allows calculation of the volumes of overburden that must be removed to economically mine the deposit. Further development of a mine plan consists of mapping the tops of prominent rock units. Once these tops are modeled into the database contour maps can be created and volumes of rock determined. Cross-sections can also be constructed using information in the database to collectively examine lithology and engineering test data. This allows the mine plan to focus on intervals of the deposit where the aggregate is of suitable quality for a particular application. A final step is the construction of 3D models that show overburden, geology, and the location of test data. These models provide a visual tool to illustrate the development of a mine plan through time.