Pit & Quarry, May 2012
SITE DEVELOPMENT complex A seven stage plan is recommended that has proven to be effective in greenfield site development as well as in expansions of existing operations 1 Test lines to ensure the method works at the site 2 Electrical resistivity imaging profiling program 3 Limited drilling program 4 Grain size and moisture content analysis Members of the aggregate industry need to understand the limitations and advantages of the ERI method and how to use it for effective planning 5 Modeling the resource 6 Defining areas of favorable extraction ratios and tonnage estimates 7 Incorporation of results into a mining plan The integration of this data into a mining plan is the ultimate goal of the study should the resource exist When this occurs the information should be used in conjunction with all historic data from previous site investigations This can help determine blending requirements for areas with marginal resources as well as for areas likely to have main extraction potential This helps avoid future high grading of the resource on site BEING ABLE TO ACCURATELY MAP AND THEN PLAN FOR EXTRACTION IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN AGGREGATE DEPOSITS THAT ARE COMPLEX The ERI method has also been used effectively in sensitive due diligence type settings to provide potential purchasers with some level of confidence prior to entering into a deal that the resource is actually there This is particularly useful in cases when showing up with a drill rig is not feasible at the initial stages of negotiations Wise planning based on sound use of site data including information from the ERI process can mean more accurate prediction of available resources to reassure corporate management as well as external stakeholders that the resource is there and will be used wisely It also results in better and more profitable mining plans and fewer surprises Perhaps most importantly tools such as ERI promote good resource management so that issues such as high grading for short term financial gain can be eliminated in favor of longerterm extraction planning that provides greater return on investment and good resource stewardship PQ David Hanratty P Geo is an associate and senior hydrogeologist geologist with Golder Associates dhanratty@ golder com Christopher Phillips P Geo is an associate and senior geophysicist with Golder Associates christopher_ phillips@ golder com Both work at the companys office in Mississauga Ont Canada and can be reached at 905 567 4444 40 PIT QUARRY May 2012 www pitandquarry com
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