MINE TO MILL RECONCILIATION: FUNDAMENTALS AND TOOLS FOR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT

Backround

Mining is an integrated operation that includes planning, mining (excavation), processing, and metallurgy where metals are extracted. A mining-plan of operation forecasts the amount of ore to be mined and/or metal to be produced at the beginning of a year. The model-mine-mill (M3) reconciliation is a set of activities carried out by mining operations in order to measure success and predict success of mine plan. Success in annual production of a mine depends on many factors such as a good mine plan based on a nearly robust resource/ reserve model, execution of mine-plan in the operation supported by reliable laboratory services and disciplined work-culture led by a competent workforce.
A model-mine-mill (M3) reconciliation process helps to gain knowledge on the actual (or, likely) reasons for achieving the planned production or, not. When properly implemented, a detailed model-mine-mill (M3) reconciliation process leads to finding out the areas for further improvements leading to substantial enhancements in productivity. A successful mining operation often conducts the reconciliation at regular time intervals.

THE TARGET AUDIENCE

• Mining engineers
• Geologists
• Process engineers associated with mining operations.
• Financial institution professionals working on mining projects
• Consultants
• Researchers.

THE PROGRAMME
The program will be offered virtually in 4 sessions each session with three contact hours of virtual meetings and two take home assignments / exercises. The sessions will have multiple Q&A opportunities. Outline of the program:
Session 1:
Introduction of the program and participants
Reconciliation: An introduction to the concept
Session 2:
Various types and nodes of reconciliation in a mining project: LT Resource/reserve, ST Resource/Reserve, Production, Stock piles and Mill
Session 3:
Factors in reconciliation
Session 4:
Error measurements & Q&A

PRESENTER
Dr Abani Samal – Program lead
Dr Abani R Samal holds PhD from SIU Carbondale, DIC & MS from Imperial College, London and M Tech (Mineral Exploration) degree from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, India. He is in the mining industry since 1996. Currently he is the principal and owner of GeoGlobal, LLC and providing consulting services to exploration and mining companies, government agencies and major financial institutions worldwide. Mineral deposit evaluation, applied geostatistics and mine-mill reconciliation are his technical specializations.
Dr Samal offers professional development programs to industry professionals and researchers worldwide. Major professional societies including SME, SEG, AIG (online), CIM-IUGS and MEAI have hosted his professional development programs in USA, Canada, Guinea, India and Colombia.
Dr Samal also serves in the editorial boards of two international journals: Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration journal