Theoretical 5,000 Tonnes per Day Open Pit Cost Model

Mining Cost Service contains cost models for a variety of sizes and types of theoretical mining operations. Following is a listing of the models currently available.

36 surface mines:

production rates: 250 t/day to 80,000 t/day
stripping ratios 1:1 to 8:1

48 underground mines:

production rates: 200 t/day to 45,000 t/day
access methods: adit or shaft
stoping methods:
cut and fill
shrinkage
end slice
vertical crater retreat
sublevel longhole
room and pillar
sublevel caving
block caving

35 milling operations:

feed rates: 100 t/day to 80,000 t/day
flotation mills (1,2, or 3 concentrate products)
carbon-in-pulp mills
agitation leach mills

32 placer operations:

production rates: 100 to 1,000 t/day
mobile or stationary plans
stripping ratios: 1:1 to 8:1

6 gold heap leach models:

leach rates: 5,000 to 20,000 t/day
run-of-mine or crush-screen-agglomerate operations

Each of the models is developed from first principles based on typical mining criteria for rock densities, swell factors, drill penetration rates, etc. Industry-standard estimating methods are used for equipment selection, personnel allocation, and cost estimation. These models are invaluable for early order- of-magnitude estimates.

Following is an example of one of these models for your reference. This model will be maintained at this site permanently and updated periodically. As you can see, these models provide a great deal of important information about equipment, labor and supply requirements in addition to capital and operating costs. This model includes all labor, material, supply and equipment operation costs incurred at the mine site, including supervision, administration and on-site management, but it does not include exploration, permitting, or milling. A more complete list of items included or excluded can be found in your Mining Cost Service Manual. The Manual also lists the wage and salary scales, supply prices, and other pertinent information used to construct the model.

5,000 Tonne per Day Open Pit Mine Model

This mine is an open pit mine producing 5,000 tonnes ore and 5,000 tonnes waste per day.  The total resource to be mined is 18,715,000 tonnes.   Ore is hauled 1,068 meters to an ore stockpile.  Waste is hauled 535 meters to a waste rock dump.  Rock characteristics for both ore and waste are typical of those of granite or porphyritic material.  Operating conditions, wage scales, and unit prices are typical for western U.S. mining operations.  The key design criteria; operating schedule, equipment, personnel and supply requirements; and costs one listed below:

Last updated - 2005

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