Narrow Vein Mining
AMC Consultants (AMC) is widely recognized in the global mining industry for its expertise in the planning, design, operation and evaluation for all underground mining methods.
AMC optimizes the overall economic benefits that can be derived from each mineral deposit within the context of our client’s needs and objectives. Our expertise covers all aspects of geology and geotechnical characterization of narrow tabular to massive deposits. AMC’s underground expertise is also supported by
SmartData™, an extensive
database of costs and performance parameters using specialist in-house tools and mine optimization processes to produce reliable mine plans and estimates.
Mining methods
AMC is a leader in mining method selection, with extensive experience in delivering underground mining solutions. Mining method selection would consider factors such as ore geometry (dip, complexity, etc.), value (grade), geotechnical conditions, geographical location and other relevant factors. A selection of methods includes:
- Drifting methods like drift-and-fill (overhand and underhand) and cut-and-fill, room-and-pillar, post-pillar, etc using handheld or mechanized equipment.
- Open stoping variations like sub-level, benching, uphole retreat mining, modified AVOCA, alimak, etc.
- Backfill methods such as paste fill, hydraulic fill, cemented rock fill, hybrid fills, waste fill, etc.
AMC narrow vein capability and experience
AMC’s underground capability includes specialization in all aspects of narrow vein underground Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimation, narrow vein mine planning, design, production operations and technical assessments. The AMC team has specialists with technical and operating experience for various narrow vein mining methods and commodities and includes discipline specialists in backfill and ventilation.
AMC’s services address all the stages of an operation’s life from exploration and resource assessment to mine development, operations and decommissioning, providing detailed plans, designs and schedules and offering ongoing operational support and options for improvement.
When required, AMC can join and enhance clients’ technical teams, providing capacity to optimize performance and flexibility. AMC uses the latest industry software to further enhance its capability.
Key narrow vein mining services
AMC can provide the following technical services for narrow vein deposits:
- Preliminary Economic Assessment, mining Pre-Feasibility and mining Feasibility studies.
- Geological and Mineral Resource appraisal, interpretation and modelling.
- Mineral Resource and Mineral (Ore) Reserve estimation, including reviews/audits and preparation of Independent Qualified Competent Person’s Reports (NI 43-101, JORC, SAMREC, etc.).
- Mining method options assessment, cost estimation, and implementation guidance.
- Mine design, planning and scheduling.
- Narrow vein mine design optimization using leading-edge stope optimization software providing bespoke outcomes for challenging geometries.
- Geotechnical assessment for mine and stope design.
- Narrow vein mining equipment assessment and guidance.
- Dilution studies and operational guidance, including drill and blast design.
- Operations support, including life-of-mine project scheduling.
- Due diligence technical reviews.
- Mining backfill and ventilation studies and solutions for mines in operation.
- Open pit to underground mining transition optimization and planning.
- Benchmarking, operations reviews and narrow vein strategy optimization studies.
- Risk assessment.
- On-site narrow vein execution support.
Notable narrow vein mining projects
AMC underground narrow vein experience includes operational and/or project study experience at the following mine sites and locations:
LATIN AMERICA
Centauro Profundo, Mexico (gold)
Cerro Morro, Argentina (gold-silver)
El Dorado, El Salvador (gold-silver)
Fresnillo, Mexico (silver-gold-lead-zinc)
Fresnillo Mina Proaño, Mexico
Fresnillo Mina Saucito, Mexico
Fresnillo Mina Cienega, Mexico
Fresnillo Mina San Julian, Mexico
Fresnillo-MagSilver JC Juanicipio, Mexico
Fresnillo Centauro Profundo, Mexico (gold)
Juanicipio, Mexico (silver-gold)
Jacobina, Brazil (gold)
Mercedes, Mexico (gold-silver)
Monterde, Mexico (silver-gold)
Palmarejo, Mexico (silver-gold)
Pau-a-Pique, Brazil (gold)
San Sebastian, Mexico (gold-silver)
San Dimas, Mexico (gold-silver)
San Julian, Mexico (gold-silver)
San Jose, Mexico (silver-gold)
CANADA & USA
Back River, Canada (gold)
Hoyle Pond, Canada (gold)
Lucky Friday, USA (silver-lead-zinc)
Pine Cove and Stog’er Tight, Canada (gold)
Phoenix, Canada (gold)
Prairie Creek, Canada (zinc-lead-silver)
Rainy River, Canada (gold)
Wolverine, Canada (zinc-copper-lead-silver-gold)
EUROPE
Curraghinalt, Northern Ireland (gold)
Cononish, United Kingdom (gold-silver)
El Valle-Boinás/Carlés, Spain (gold-copper-silver)
Gedabek, Azerbaijan (gold-copper)
Neves Corvo, Portugal (poly metallic - zinc & copper)
Zinkgruvan, Sweden (poly metallic - zinc, lead, copper, silver)
ASIA
Gaochang, China (silver-lead-zinc)
Ying Mines, China (silver-lead-zinc)
Zarmitan (Guzhumsai), Uzbekistan (gold)
Zarmitan (Zarmitan), Uzbekistan (gold)
OCEANIA
Tuvatu, Fiji (gold)
Vatukoula, Fiji (gold)
Andy Well, Australia (gold)
Angas Zinc Mine, Australia (zinc)
Ballarat, Australia (gold)
Beaconsfield, Australia (gold)
Bendigo, Australia (gold)
Blendevale (Pillara), Australia (zinc-lead-gold)
Central Norseman, Australia (gold)
Challenger, Australia (gold)
Costerfield, Australia (gold-antimony)
Deflector, Australia (copper-gold)
Fosterville, Australia (gold)
Golden Pig, Australia (gold)
Gympie Eldorado Mine, Australia (gold)
Henty, Australia (gold)
Kambalda, Australia (nickel)
St Ives deposits, Australia (gold)
Merlin, Australia (diamond)
Monkland, Australia (gold)
Nicholson’s Find, Australia (gold)
Okay (OK), Australia (gold)
Pajingo, Australia (gold-silver)
Plutonic, Australia (gold)
Renison, Australia (tin)
Tarnagulla, Australia (gold)
Telfer I30, Australia (gold-copper)
Vatakoula-Emperor, Fiji (gold)
Widgemooltha deposits, Australia (nickel)
AFRICA
Bulyanhulu, Tanzania (gold)
Debarwa, Eritrea (copper-zinc-gold)
New Luika, Tanzania (gold)
Pandora, South Africa (platinum group elements)
Segala, Mali (gold)
Tabakoto, Mali (gold)
Yaramoko Zone 55, Burkina Faso (gold)
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