International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• A Review on Stability Analysis of Coal Mine Dumps  
  by Pudari Harish, Karra Ram Chandar 
  Abstract: Opencast mines are increasingly extracting deeper coal seams in large quantities, leading to a rise in mine depth and generation of substantial waste. Disposal of this waste becomes challenging due to the need for additional land, resulting in dumping excess waste on existing dumps, posing risks of dump failure, property damage, and loss of life. This paper aims the critical review of the stability of dump slope structures that are present on the weak or disturbed foundations which further leads the dumps to fail. Many researchers have concentrated on the irregular base, loose material presence in the foundation, sloping floors, improper compaction at the foundation level, presence of black cotton soil, etc., stating load of the dumps over the weaker foundations exerts more pressure on the foundation and causing the dumps to fail. It synthesises key findings on stability analysis approaches, design criteria, optimisation techniques, and critical parameters involved in numerical modelling-based design for secure dump slope structures.
  Keywords: overburden dumps; dump stability; influencing parameters; numerical modelling; factor of safety.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.10063263
   
  
• Towards application of positioning systems in the mining industry  
  by Moshood Onifade, Tawanda Zvarivadza, John A. Adebisi 
  Abstract: Positioning and communication systems hold intriguing potentials in the context of the mining industry. The need for safety and environmental precautions in mining has grown clearer for governments and scientists across the world. This is in light of complex and hazardous mining situations which can be tackled by the advancement of science and technology. This paper discusses how positioning systems have enhanced mining operations' safety, productivity and environmental sustainability. The drawbacks of positioning systems in the mining industry are established and analysed by examining the influence this technology has had on the different operations in the mineral industry. The possibility of their utility for precise localisation in situations when no other techniques exist has been carefully evaluated for recent uses of these technologies in the mineral industry. Future study must address a few significant issues and gaps that have been identified.
  Keywords: automated-tracking; communication technologies; localisation; positioning systems; real-time navigation; radio-frequency identification; RFID.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.10063420
   
  
• Segregation of rock properties using machine learning algorithm with Euclidean Distance  
  by Satya Prakash 
  Abstract: In rock drilling applications, abrasion cause wear in inserts and hostile working conditions cause damage to other bit components. The effects of physico-mechanical properties of rock on the tool wear are investigated by several researchers in the past. So, it becomes imperative to exhibit good scalability of rock properties by segregating rock samples having similar properties for natural homogeneous rock property groupings. The aim of this work is to segregate groups with similar type of rock properties and assign them into a cluster. This work considers a machine learning based hierarchical clustering approach to segregate groups of rock with similar traits. The results obtained from this study initiate a conversation on the proper choice of rock and tool material for doing laboratory studies using wear test apparatus. The analysis's findings map the distinct qualities of the rock for different mining areas by classifying groups of rocks with comparable characteristics.
  Keywords: rock properties; clustering; machine learning; Euclidean distance; rock mechanics; drilling; rock sample; artificial intelligence; tungsten carbide; clustering algorithm.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.10063629
   
  
• Mechanism study on the sandstone roof caving characteristics for improving the preconditioning measures to mitigate the windblast risk in coal mines  
  by Jinhe Jia, Zhichao Wang, Zhen Zhang 
  Abstract: The geological feature of sandstone strata directly overlying coal seams is common in the Shendong shallow buried coal field, and causes delayed roof caving and the risk of windblasts in the initial longwall mining stage. To mitigate windblasts, preconditioning measures, such as hydraulic fracturing operations and temporary blasting operations, are employed to improve the roof caving performance. Site observations show that the thicker the overburden, the more difficult the roof caving becomes, and the conditioning measures do not produce very good roof caving performance as expected when the overburden thickness approaches 200m. Numerical simulations are employed to investigate the roof-caving mechanism associated with the geological conditions of the Shendong coal field. The numerical results show that structurally controlled instability is the main mechanism of the roof caving; the gravitationally-loaded horizontal stress can lead to worse roof caving performance in the case of greater overburden thickness.
  Keywords: first roof caving; sandstone-dominated strata; hydraulic fracturing; horizontal stress; numerical simulation; windblast.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.10063644
   
  
• Comparative analysis of discounted cash flow and real options techniques on a gold mining project  
  by Amtenge Penda Shivute  
  Abstract: This study investigates the effectiveness of two valuation techniques, discounted cash flow (DCF) and real options analysis (ROA), in assessing the economic viability of mineral projects. While DCF is a widely used method, its deterministic nature and neglect of uncertainty and managerial flexibility pose limitations. In contrast, ROA incorporates uncertainty and managerial flexibility, offering a more comprehensive approach to valuation. This research applies both techniques to an underground mining project with two extraction scenarios. Results reveal that ROA consistently provides higher net present values (NPVs) compared to DCF, highlighting the significance of considering uncertainty and managerial flexibility in project valuation. Specifically, scenario 1 demonstrates an NPV increase from US$9.60 million (DCF) to US$17.34 million (ROA), while scenario 2 shows an NPV increase from US$11.35 million (DCF) to US$21.52 million (ROA). These findings underscore the importance of employing ROA to value flexibility and make informed investment decisions.
  Keywords: discounted cash flow; DCF; net present value; NPV; real options analysis; ROA; binomial lattice; flexibility.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2024.10063646