Participants should have:

1. A basic understanding of mining operations or geology.

2. An interest in underground mine design principles.

3. A willingness to engage with technical planning scenarios and software examples.

This course provides a comprehensive guide to strategic planning and design for underground mines, focusing on optimizing ore recovery, safety, cost-efficiency, and long-term operational sustainability. It walks participants through the key decisions and design processes—from orebody modelling to access development, stoping methods, sequencing, and scheduling.

Real-world examples and design tools are used to bridge theory and practice, giving learners the tools and confidence to contribute to or lead underground mine planning initiatives.

Course Modules & Topics:

Module 1: Introduction to Strategic Mine Planning

• Purpose of strategic mine planning

• Life-of-mine planning overview

• Linking resource evaluation to mine design

Module 2: Resource and Geological Modeling for Underground Design

• Reading and interpreting 3D resource models

• Reserve estimation and classification

• Implications of orebody geometry on mine design

Module 3: Underground Mining Methods Overview

• Room and pillar, cut-and-fill, sublevel stoping, block and panel caving

• Factors influencing method selection

• Case study: Selecting a mining method

Module 4: Mine Access and Development Design

• Shaft, decline, and ramp design

• Level spacing and layout considerations

• Haulage and ventilation planning

Module 5: Stope and Layout Design

• Stope geometry and ore recovery

• Dilution control strategies

• Sequence design and scheduling

• Case study: Optimizing stope layout for production targets

Module 6: Geotechnical Inputs and Stability

• Ground support systems

• Geotechnical data for stope design

• Risk and hazard identification in mine layout

Module 7: Scheduling, Economics & Strategic Optimization

• Production scheduling fundamentals

• NPV-driven design decisions

• Scenario analysis and trade-offs

• Aligning design with business goals

Module 8: Innovation, Automation, and Software in Mine Planning

• Software tools (e.g., Deswik, Datamine, Vulcan)

• The role of automation and digital mine planning

• Future trends in underground planning

Assessment & Certification:

• Short quizzes and scenario-based tasks

• Final capstone project: Develop a strategic mine plan for a given orebody

• Certificate of Completion

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the full process of strategic underground mine planning.

2. Interpret geological and resource models for planning purposes.

3. Select appropriate underground mining methods based on orebody characteristics.

4. Design optimal access and haulage systems for underground mines.

5. Develop stope layouts and mining sequences aligned with business objectives.

6. Apply risk assessment and geotechnical inputs in mine design.

7. Create long-term mine plans considering economics, safety, and sustainability.

8. Use design strategies that improve ore recovery and reduce dilution.