This SME classic is both a reference book for the working engineer and a textbook for the mining student. This hardcover edition gives a brief history of surface mining and a general overview of the state of surface mining today—topics range from production and productivity to technological developments and trends in equipment.
This extremely useful text takes the approach that exploration and mining geologists must be expert in a number of fields, including basic finance and economics, logistics, and pragmatic prospecting. Readers will find material on all these topics and more.
The book’s nine chapters include: Introduction, Exploration and Geology Techniques, Ore Reserve Estimation, Feasibility Studies and Project Financing, Planning and Design of Surface Mines, Mine Operations, Mine Capital and Operating Costs, Management and Organization, and Case Studies.
The book is fully indexed.

Surface Mining

Bruce A. Kennedy

Reference

Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.

Whether you’re an experienced evaluator of mineral projects, a student, or a decision maker who is not a practitioner but must use evaluation results, this new book is an essential reference for your bookshelf. Designed to complement traditional engineering texts, this book emphasizes the concepts of mineral project evaluation rather than computational details. It describes various economic evaluation techniques typically employed (including conventional cost analysis, discounted cash flow, and option analysis), their uses, and their relationships with geological, technological, and financial evaluations. Also discussed are the strengths and weaknesses of commonly practiced evaluation methods.
This book explains the practical difficulties in conducting an analysis and correctly interpreting the results, as well as the use of alternative techniques. Because many existing texts do not adequately discuss the meanings and application of merit measures, such as net present value (NPV) or internal rate of return (IRR), this book represents an exciting departure from standard reference tools. Contents include:
<ul>
<li>why NPV and IRR are both valid and useful merit measures</li>
<li>the shortcomings of conventional NPV and IRR analysis</li>
<li>the dangers of scenario analysis</li>
<li>why conventional incremental analysis is not needed to correctly calculate IRR</li>
<li>why the desire to achieve NPV-consistent IRR is misleading</li>
<li>how competitive cost analysis is conducted and used</li>
<li>why option pricing is an important addition to the evaluation process.</li>
</ul>
When used correctly, evaluation methods are powerful tools to help us understand the economics of investment projects. Don’t miss out on this new source. Contains glossary and full index.

Evaluating Mineral Projects: Applications and Misconceptions

Business & Money

Torries, Thomas F.

Economics

This 800+ page book contains a wealth of information for mining students and industry professionals. It consists of selected material from the out-of-print industry standard, Underground Mining Methods Handbook.
More than 40 chapters covering such underground mining topics as sampling, planning, reserve analysis, cost calculations, various methods of support, block and panel caving, and sublevel caving make up this comprehensive text. Numerous tables and figures enhance the extensive material found in each chapter.
An excellent teaching tool and source book, Techniques in Underground Mining is a must for any mining student or engineer.

Techniques in Underground Mining

Engineering & Transportation

Engineering

Economic skill is an essential partner to technical skill in every step of the mining process. An economic “mindset” begins before the first drill hole. This new book will help you effectively direct mining operations through the use of innovative economic strategies.
The text covers what is meant by a cost-effective mining scheme, the economics of information, and the procedures for rational evaluation of uncertain projects. It defines “ore” from an economic perspective and covers the influence of scheduling on ore reserves.
Discounted cash flow techniques, the most widely used evaluation technique for investment decision making, is covered in detail. The assumption of the use of spreadsheets is unique to this book. The application of DCF techniques in an operating mine environment is given expanded coverage and examples are drawn from real-life studies.
The differences between economic decision-making—a forward-looking task—and the reporting of results via accounting methods—a backward-looking activity—are reviewed. Capital and decision-making procedures associated with capital investments in a risk environment are given extensive coverage. Case studies for capital investment in an operating mine are included. Comprehensive examples investigate “value” from a risk-reduction perspective and from an “expected return on investment” perspective.
This book offers solutions to the problem that many mining projects fail to achieve expectations because of their inability to adapt to change. A new technique is explained that allows calculation of capital that is “at risk” from capital that is not at risk. This promises significant advances in the way that investments are made and capital is valued in the industry.

Mining Economics and Strategy

Runge, Ian C.

In practical language, Crystalline Silica addresses what crystalline silica is, where it is found and used, and how it is identified. In addition, the book discusses the regulatory decisions yielding new interest in this ubiquitous substance and presents an overview of the techniques used to determine its presence and abundance. A list of selected readings and supplemental resources and a glossary of terms beyond the scope of this publication round out the text.

Crystalline Silica

Science & Math

Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration

Earth Sciences

Destined to become an industry standard, this comprehensive reference examines all aspects of minerals processing, from the handling of raw materials to separation strategies to the remediation of waste products. The book incorporates state-of-the-art developments in the fields of engineering, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science and explains how these disciplines contribute to the ultimate goal of producing minerals and metals economically from ores. With contributions from more than 20 recognized authorities, this thorough reference presents the most current thinking on the science and technology of mineral processing.
The book is an indispensable textbook for students of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy, and a practical reference for seasoned industry professionals interested in improving operational efficiencies. It presents the principles that govern various unit operations in mineral processing along with examples that illustrate how these principles apply to real-world situations. Topics are arranged in the order of the typical processing sequence, including communition, separation, flotation, hydrometallurgy, and waste handling.

Principles of Mineral Processing

Need to recall properties of a rock or mineral on the fly? Or quickly convert to metric units in the field? When you’re on a job site, you need answers fast. But answers don’t always come easily, especially if your library of reference materials is back in the office.
Engineers are often called on to answer technical questions and solve problems while in the field. It’s not always feasible to bring along the bulky reference materials needed to research engineering-related topics.
Now there’s a simple solution. The SME Mining Reference Handbook is a practical field reference for mining and minerals engineers who spend time away from the office. With its comprehensive store of charts, graphs, tables, equations, and rules of thumb, the handbook is the essential technical reference for mobile mining professionals. It’s also a convenient desk reference for in-office use.
To keep the handbook portable, content was carefully selected to include only the most relevant and widely used information. This distillation of vital technical data was culled from volumes of mining and engineering literature. Its compact size and durable cover make it a convenient resource, ideal for a briefcase, glove compartment, or personal bookshelf.
While written as a quick reference for experienced engineers, students and government practioners will also find it useful.

SME Mining Reference Handbook

Solve everyday mining problems quickly and easily by applying the GPSS (General Purpose Simulation System) computer language. Part I of this book reviews mining simulation and describes why the GPSS/H simulation language was selected. Part II provides an overview of the language itself to help you maximize the mining examples contained on the included CD, which present a variety of mining operations and include GPSS/H programs.You don’t need computer language experience to use these; you can run the programs by keying in a simple list of instructions. If you are more experienced with the language, you can modify one or more of the programs to suit your particular problem. All examples are interactive—you are prompted to input data for the simulation and then run the animation to view your mining operation.

Mine Design: Examples Using Simulation

Sturgul, John R.

This volume recognizes the growing role of solvent extraction and electrowinning technology in the world copper business. This well-established, remarkable hydrometallurgical achievement fills an important role in our technical ability to extract copper in an efficient and cost-effective way.
This proceedings documents the present status of the SX-EW business. It represents a substantial body of historical, scientific, engineering, and commercial information regarding the growth and application of the technology.

Copper Leaching, Solvent Extraction, and Electrowinning Technology

A successful construction project is completed safely, on time, and within budget; meets designed performance; and produces no claims. This book was written to help those working with privately-awarded construction projects meet these goals.
Students, contractors, foremen, superintendents and managers, project managers and engineers, site and contract administrators and managers, owner’s representatives, and others associated with the industry will find the book to be current and useful. It is designed to serve as a guide and general reference for the many subjects that must be considered in the production and site management of a construction contract.
The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 deals with the selection, production, and assembly of the elements required for a construction contract. Part 2 reviews the basics for a reasonable, fair, practical, logical, and orderly contract administration system, using the sample bid package included in appendix B to illustrate the various elements and considerations. Part 3 presents four case studies from construction projects to help those who manage contracts recognize potential problem areas. Some of the latest advances in information technology for construction contract administration are discussed in chapter 9.
The author has represented owners and contractors for the past 50 years in operations, maintenance, design, construction, estimating, engineering, management, and claims resolution in domestic and offshore mining, process, mineral, refinery, smelter, petrochemical, and environmental remediation facilities.

Construction Contract Administration

Phillips, Charles S.

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