Mogalakwena Mine: mutual coexistence of mining selectivity with the effectiveness and efficiency of high-volume mechanized mining and processing

摘要

Mogalakwena is Anglo American Platinum's and the world's biggest platinum groupelements (PGEs) producer. The production regime at this low-grade high-tonnage surfaceproducer is anchored in the well-planned mechanized mining methods as well as highthroughputprocessing methods employed. The first generation of mining at Mogalakwenaas an underground operation was futile. The mine has since seen phenomenal growth in itstwo decades of operation as a surface mine.The surface mine started as a contractor-mined 300 kt/ month operation on a small hill in1992. Today, over two decades later, mining operations extend over a further 14 kmnorthwards with potential to grow southwards a further 6 km, too. The operation today mines9 Mt per month almost entirely with the mine's own equipment.The orebody at Mogalakwena is a large westerly dipping tabular pyroxenite-dominatedorebody which lends itself to high-tonnage mining. The ore in this exceptional world-classorebody is inherently variable, highlighting the need for stringent ore control methods asmining progresses. The strategists and mine planners at Mogalakwena are well aware of themutual coexistence of mining selectivity with the effectiveness and efficiency of highvolumemechanized mining.The paper showcases the ever-evolving striving for optimized ore control andreconciliation methods, while allowing large drilling, loading, and hauling machines tomaximize throughput as planned. Considering a processing bottleneck, the challenge arisesto manage and optimise feed quality and PGE grades with due consideration for theremaining low-grade deposit and mined low-grade tons.