Is the most common mining method used in Australia.

It is used when ore zones are close to the surface. Engineers estimate the size and width to minimise the least amount of waste removal. 

• • Basically towards the end of the open cut mine we are only removing ore, which means at times the large dump trucks actually have to reverse down the ramp.

A large hole known as the open cut, is dug downwards in successive intervals known as benches creating berms on the perimeter. This is to prevent rocks falling into the pit over the ore zone but also allows for geophysical monitoring to put in place.

Generally rocks are too hard to be just dug out so we drill and blast.

Waste is trucked out of the pit and is as close to the ramp as possible.

Ore is removed to the ROM (Run of Mine) pad and will sit in low, medium and high grade stock piles.

These piles are generally resamples with hand samples to keep comparisons with the grade control models.

Used when the ore body is deep underground and the cost of removing the overburden to expose the ore body by open-cut mining out weights the value of the ore.

• • Access through tunnels and shafts ( less waste rock needs to be removed) e.g. Mount Charlotte underground mine, Kalgoorlie WA.