Wallaby Deeps - From the Optimal Opportunity to Reality

摘要

The Barrick Gold Granny Smith underground operation located at the Wallaby deposit is currently in a transition period from a near surface operation in ramp up mode to a fully operational deep mining operation with annual production exceeding l Mt/a. A key element in this process has been the project execution of the Wallaby Deeps project from initial scoping study in 2007 to the major production component of the Wallaby operation by 2013. The Wallaby Deeps project serves as an example of how an ongoing detailed study program can be integrated into a day to day mining operation assessing risk and mining application in a perceived challenging narrow vein geotechnical environment prior to mining. A detailed study phase to feasibility level is carried out prior to the mining each zone of Wallaby with mining approval only granted on study completion with full justification. A central element in this process is an optimisation study that utilising the Mineable Shape Optimiser (MSO) and Schedule Optimisation Tool (SOT) software tools developed by AMIRA Ltd PRIMO research project is used to carry out an NPV value based option study. This optimisation process being then tempered to reality by a predefined practicality assessment process utilising extensive peer review by operational and study team members as well as industry experts. Other challenges facing the Wallaby Deeps project include the requirement to maintain the ramp up production profile to full production by 2012 without disruption but with pressures of an ongoing geological resource to reserve conversion program essential for the study process and mining approvals and also development rate achievement. To date these challenges are being met with integrated planning and the value of the study program itself. Production in 2012 year to date is well on the way to annual production rate exceeding 1 Mt/a.