Mining in a Day

Industry overview

• Shape and size of the industry – key facts and figures
• What do we mine and why?
• Key regions and leading producers
• Supply and demand: dynamics and trends
• Outlining the lifecycle of a mining project
• Introduction to key stakeholders along the way

• Formation of the Earth, rock types, basic structures
• How metals and minerals form and accumulate in the earth’s crust
• Why the world’s mineral wealth is located where it is
• Guide to the key minerals and metals groups
• Defining metals, minerals, ores, deposits, resources and reserves 

Exploration and discovery

• Early stage exploration: From ground selection and licence applications to target generation and techniques to focus in on anomalies
• Exploration techniques explained – surveying, sampling, geochemical and geophysical analysis
• Advanced exploration techniques – trenching and drilling
• Defining resources and reserves
• Reports and studies: Scoping and pre-feasibility through to a bankable feasibility study
• Valuation techniques for exploration projects – The challenge of valuing an underground asset
• Financing an exploration project – costs and sources of capital 

• Understanding infrastructure requirements
• How plans and costs vary according to:
  • Location
  • Mineral
  • Climate
  • Geology 

Mining and extraction

• Surface, underground and in-situ mining techniques explored
• Influences on project design and technique selection
• Equipment types and their function
• Example operations
• Understanding how the different approaches impact the economics and feasibility of a project 

Processing and delivery

• Turning rocks into marketable products – Understanding processing techniques
• Crushing and grinding equipment and techniques
• Concentration and separation processes
• Metal recovery – smelting and refining
• What happens to the waste?
• Metals transportation and warehousing – pricing mechanisms
• Processing costs explored – implications for investors

Life of Mine and mine closure

• Extending Life of Mine (LOM) and economic implications
• Framework of a closure plan
• Decommissioning and post closure planning

Mining investment basics   

• Understanding where value is added in the lifecycle of a mining project
• Guide to key risks for a mining project
• From grade and project feasibility to management team and political risk: Key factors to look for in a potential mining investment