MNG 230
Introduction to Mining Engineering

8.5.8: Construction of a New Pit

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8.5.8: Construction of a New Pit

Now, with this understanding of the individual components, let’s watch a video (8:57) showing the construction and set up of a new pit. Note all of the related activities in the background.

New pit setup
There is no audio track for this video.

Of course, as mining advances, it becomes necessary to move the pit to the next location. This is a process accomplished over a shift. The next video, which is about 6 minutes in length, captures a complete move over a nine-hour period. Fasten your seatbelts!

Old style pit move
There is no audio track for this video.

The design of a slurry transport system is covered in our materials handling course, MNG 404. Here, it is worth noting a few defining characteristics of the system used at the Mosaic mines.

  • 2000 tph capacity
  • 1500 hp or greater pump motors
  • up to 62” diameter pump impellers
  • pipelines up to 10 mi long
    • 20” diameter pipe
    • pumps every 1 mi
  • slurry
    • 35% solids by weight w/ up to 6” – 8“ size fraction

Finally, we can take a look at the placement of overburden into a previously mined cut.

Overburden removal to previous cut
There is no vocal track for this video, only the sounds of the machinery.