Mining Fundamentals

From a rock outcrop to a producing mine. The foundation of mining engineering: the life cycle of a mine, how resources and reserves are defined, cut-off grade and mine economics, choosing between surface and underground methods, and mining responsibly — acid drainage, closure and sustainability.

• Mine Life Cycle — Every mine passes through the same stages: prospecting, exploration, development, exploitation (production) and closure/reclamation. Learn what happens in each stage, how long it takes, how orebody tonnage and contained metal are calculated, and how Taylor's rule links deposit size to mine life and production rate.
• Resources, Reserves & Cut-off Grade — Not all mineralised rock is ore. Learn the difference between mineral resources (inferred, indicated, measured) and ore reserves (probable, proved) under JORC / NI 43-101, how the breakeven cut-off grade is calculated from price, recovery and costs, and how grade–tonnage curves show the effect of changing cut-off.
• Mine Economics — Mines are huge investments with long payback. Learn capital and operating costs, cash flow, discounting, Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), payback period, sensitivity analysis and how price, grade and costs drive project value.
• Selecting a Mining Method — Surface or underground? Caving or stoping? Learn the families of mining methods, the factors that drive selection (depth, geometry, grade, rock strength, economics), stripping-ratio limits, and how to decide when an open pit should transition to underground.
• Sustainable Mining & Closure — Modern mining must protect water, land, air and communities. Learn the main environmental impacts, acid mine drainage (AMD) chemistry and acid–base accounting, water management, mine closure and rehabilitation, ESG and decarbonisation of mining.