1. design, planning, scheduling, and engineering
underground mining

2. Maximize your ore value
SRK provides operating expertise to customize your plan
As a global SRK group, we have specialist
underground mining expertise to provide
solutions for the unique features of each project.
Based on this extensive experience, we utilise an
innovative and rigorous mining method selection
and planning methodology that maximises the
economic benefit of the project.The methodology
focuses on understanding the complete mining
context or characteristics of the deposit and the
client’s goals.This understanding is fundamental
to selecting the appropriate approach and
establishing a robust plan.

3. Elk Creek Niobium Project | United States
SRK oversaw a comprehensive field program for Elk Creek that
provided data to estimate the geology, in-situ stresses, and
groundwater flows and characteristics. The proposed underground
mine plan includes orientation of stopes to minimize the stresses,
shaft access to minimize development through water bearing
strata, and active dewatering from surface to minimize underground
pumping. These items decrease the risk of project and possible
schedule delays and minimize time to full production. The deposit is
mined in blocks where mining within a block occurs from bottom to
top with the use of paste backfill. Sill pillars are left in-situ between
blocks. This minimizes the upfront development to lower elevations
prior to production and maximizes the project value.
Goderich Equipment Project | Ontario
SRK completed an equipment trade-off study to determine the most
productive, safe, and lowest cost mining system that could achieve
Goderich Mine’s annual target of 7.5 million tons of salt. The study
concluded that implementing the JoyTM
Continuous Miner with the
flexible conveyor train (FCT) improves overall productivity, reduces
costs, reduces diesel emissions, and improves safety. The Goderich
Mine is currently initiating the continuous mining system and
optimizing FCT lengths, mining activity cycle times, and mine layout
and sequencing.
Kibali Gold Project | Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo SRK Consulting carried out the
underground geotechnical and mine planning components of a
Feasibility Study for Randgold Resources Ltd - Kibali Gold Project.
The project is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a
surface and underground gold project utilising open stoping with fill
as the primary underground mining method. The project commenced
underground development via twin declines and a vertical shaft.
First stoping production began in 2015, concurrent with access
development.
Case Studies
AuRico Gold Project | British Columbia
SRK was commissioned by AuRico Gold Inc to prepare a feasibility
study and NI43-101 technical report. The scope of work included
mine geotechnics, mine design, production scheduling, capital
and operating cost estimates, and generation of a full technical
economic model. After a positive outcome, this work was updated
in 2015 to include additional geology information, pricing, and
constraints on tailings storage facility (TSF) sizing. The TSF
constraints warranted a re-evaluation of project sizing. SRK used
the block caving software package PCBC, to evaluate a range of
possible scenarios and identify the optimum size and production
sequence for the project.
Guyana Goldfields Project | Guyana
SRK was commissioned by Guyana Goldfields Inc. (GGI) to work
with other consultants and prepare an updated NI 43-101 Feasibility
Technical Report for the Aurora Gold Project. SRK’s work focus
included the analysis and optimization of the open pit – underground
cross over depth. A key issue was understanding the risk of high
ground water inflows from the Cuyuni river due to its close proximity
to the orebody and ensuring the proposed plan was technically
feasible. After analyzing all available data the underground mining
method was changed to a sublevel retreat stoping which helped
maximize production and minimize cost.
Eurasian Resources Group Project | Kazakhstan
Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) began working with SRK Consulting
on a planned ramp-up of the DNK Mine to a production rate to 6
Mtpa. Initial work was based on a technical study undertaken by
the local Kazakh design institute. The management of ERG wanted
to determine the feasibility of increasing this maximum production
level to 7.2 Mtpa and to reduce the time to steady state production.
The SRK technical study, completed between 2012 and 2014, was
based on a newly created 3D model, and included mining method
and caving analysis. SRK proposed an inclined caving method for
the largest orebodies. This mining method, although presently only
implemented at a few operating mines, was deemed very suitable
to deal with the weak rock mass characteristics, and the plunging
morphology of the mineralization. The outcome of the work met all
objectives desired by ERG.

4. • Ventilation system modeling and design
• Backfill method analysis and system design
• Equipment and manpower requirements
• Operating cost benchmarking and cost modeling
• Open pit to underground transition analysis
• Draw control for caving operations
• Risk analysis and management
• Operational review and assistance
• Life-of-Mine plan optimisation
• Engineering studies (from scoping to feasibility)
• Mining context definition and mining methods
selection
• Economic cut-off grade optimisation
• Estimation of mineable tonnage and production
rate assessment
• Development and production scheduling
• Geotechnical characterization and ground support
system design
• Drill and blast design, fragmentation analysis
SRK’s Underground Mine Services
Specialist advice for mining projects in all global environments.
To learn more about SRK and how we can help you with your next challenge, visit our website: