Field trips are an integral part of the third year mining engineering degree at UNSW, for students to gain a proper understanding of mining systems. A third year tour focusing on the metalliferous mining process commenced on the 29 May 2006 and ran for 4 days. Thirty third year mining engineering students visited a mixture of underground and open cut mines to gain an exposure and greater understanding various mining methods and systems.

The tour began in Cobar in central NSW, where Endeavor Mine, CSA Mine, Peak Gold Mine were visited. Students broke up into three manageable groups where each group gained an overview of one of the underground operations. The tours allowed a closer inspection of underground operations and day to day planning. All the aspects in operational procedures involved in development and production were covered allowing students to gain an insight of the machinery being used and the problems that is associated to each unit of operation inherent to a particular system. Of particular intrigue was Peak Gold mine’s range of different extraction methods and in particular the Avoca method of mining. The depth and high working temperatures at Cobar mine altered students perspective to underground working conditions, and the long term planning issues associated with Endeavour to get production back up to 100% after a crown pillar collapsed last year. Each operation left a positive impression and ensured that everyone was focused for the remainder of the trip.

The next morning was very chilly and everyone who was unwilling to step out into the cold from their warm beds soon found out the bus left the next morning at 7am sharp. We departed for the new Tritton mine that only just began operation last year that is located between Nyngan and Cobar. The Tritton mine is an underground copper mine that also manages a previous heap leach operation. Although students were not able to visit underground operations, students were involved in an in-depth discussion in long term planning, exploration and issues faced in new underground operations. The discussion centered on the complex geology of the Tritton mine and its use of thin seam mining techniques, such as raise bore technique which is rarely used to day due to its associated risk factors.

The surface infrastructure was toured which offered an exposure to mineral processing procedures and issues. This was an excellent chance to identify various processing systems from the theoretical knowledge gained from our current mineral processing subject. Tritton mine has also inherited the Girilambone heap leach copper mine. Heap leaching is a unique type of operation and witnessing the remnants of such an operation was a great experience for all. A complete shock was the size of the heap leach pads which towered over the bus. All the heaped pads were from an open cut operation, and it demonstrated just how much ore comes out of a relatively small open cut mine. Tritton mine seemed to have an exciting future and after a chat with some of the locals at Nyngan they seemed to have the same positive outlook.

Students decked out in their sponsored shirts and hats.

After a stop off to get some pies for lunch at Nyngan famous pie shop, we were headed to West Wylong where the next mine to visit was the Cowal Gold project. The Cowal gold project was an exciting visit as the project is still considered a greenfield site and it demonstrated concerns surrounding large greenfield operations, as this particular mine site has been at the forefront of sustainability issues. The first observation was the lack of infrastructure compared to an older operating site and the need to construct necessary production units, such as the mill, as early as possible on initiate a positive cash flow. The Cowal project clearly demonstrated the extent to which operations need to set to maintain sustainable development. The massive bund that surrounded the pit to protect the nearby lake and prevent flood waters entering the pit was very impressive. When we were given the tour of the pit, all operations could be seen in detail from the viewing platform due to the shallow pit. A clear view of all drilling, excavation and trenches for in-pit water management could be clearly observed.

The Cowal gold project was the last stop before the long trip home to Sydney. The excursion was an integral part of third year mining engineering which allowed a practicable exposure to open cut mining, narrow vein mining, room and pillar and heap leaching, as well as, an understanding of geological, historical context and sustainability issues that is inherent to each operation by covering a range of newer and historical mines. The tour was considered a great success where all students learned a great deal as well as having a good time.

All students would like to thank the staff at all mines for a great tour and the following sponsors.

[ .pdf version of report ]

Daniel Hull
Year 3 student