The technical study simulation establishes ore reserves, metal production rates, and mining methods. It estimates operating and capital costs for principal equipment and operations. The study chooses a mining method, sizes development drifts and stopes, and estimates productivity to develop a life of mine plan from pre-feasibility through exploitation.

1. Technical study simulation

2. Initial data Thickness, dip, horizontal and vertical extension of deposit Metal grade Mechanical rock characteristics Objective is to establish : Ore and metal reserves Mine production rate Mining method Type of primary access and production development openings Content of the study Requirements in principal equipment Operating costs of principal operations Capital costs Stope output

3. Choosing of mining method Estimate the operating cost for principal operations Estimate the costs of development and equipment Sizing of development drifts, determination of development volume Mining method Type of principal equipment Sizing of the stope, calculation of recoverable ore tonnage Stope development Estimate the productivity of principal operations

4. Choosing of the type of primary access Choosing of the type of primary access Sizing of openings Evaluation of costs

5. Life of a Mine plan Pre feasibility feasibility construction exploitation

6. Methods of mine evaluation Analogy Direct calculation Empirical approaches