Mine Services and Infrastructure Exam Questions and Answers Latest Update Graded A+
Electric Power - Answers Mine power systems are complex and subject to several technological and
environmental constraints. Typical mining and concentrator plant power requirements are ~120 MW for
a 100 kt/d plant. Substation transforms from transmission voltage (i.e. 132 or 66 kV) to commonly 20 to
33 kV, then distributed to major load areas to supply large industrial consumers directly or to power
distribution substations that step the voltage down.
Compressed Air - Answers Used extensively in mining and is often referred to as the fourth utility,
behind water, electricity, and diesel. Stored energy which can be used for productive purposes. Drives
pneumatic equipment such as air motors, actuators, instrumentation, and pneumatic tools. Also used to
cool and clean components or parts and to blow off waste material - very useful in mines.
Mine Communication - Answers A mine communications system, which includes communication,
monitoring, and control, is an integral part of operations and management. Basically, a communications
system is a network of devices that collect, receive, or transmit information.
Infrastructure and Services - Answers Mines often operate in remote locations, so it is necessary that the
required utilities such as electric power, raw water, diesel, can be sourced for both the implementation
and production phases either locally or remotely. Some mining operations produce their required
electric power locally. Some source their required electric power from national or regional grids,
requiring a site substation. Similarly, the required raw water can be supplied locally from a reservoir
dam or transported by gravity or pumping from remote areas, sometimes hundreds of kilometres away.
Layout of Mining Facilities - Answers Designing an optimal layout of mine site facilities is a time-
consuming and multidisciplinary job. Involves civil, electrical, mechanical, mining and other engineering
disciplines and even other non-engineering disciplines like architecture. It is not unusual that the layout
changes several times during the planning phase.
Ore Body Geometry and Geology - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes ore body geometry and geology.
Material Properties - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services includes
material properties (dust, abrasive, slakes, etc.).
Mining Method Selected - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services includes
the mining method selected (open cut or underground?).
Materials Handling Methods - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes materials handling methods, equipment selected, and labor required.
Design and Cost Comparison - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes design and cost of similar installations in other mines.
Electric Power - Answers Mine power systems are complex and subject to several technological and
environmental constraints. Typical mining and concentrator plant power requirements are ~120 MW for
a 100 kt/d plant. Substation transforms from transmission voltage (i.e. 132 or 66 kV) to commonly 20 to
33 kV, then distributed to major load areas to supply large industrial consumers directly or to power
distribution substations that step the voltage down.
Compressed Air - Answers Used extensively in mining and is often referred to as the fourth utility,
behind water, electricity, and diesel. Stored energy which can be used for productive purposes. Drives
pneumatic equipment such as air motors, actuators, instrumentation, and pneumatic tools. Also used to
cool and clean components or parts and to blow off waste material - very useful in mines.
Mine Communication - Answers A mine communications system, which includes communication,
monitoring, and control, is an integral part of operations and management. Basically, a communications
system is a network of devices that collect, receive, or transmit information.
Infrastructure and Services - Answers Mines often operate in remote locations, so it is necessary that the
required utilities such as electric power, raw water, diesel, can be sourced for both the implementation
and production phases either locally or remotely. Some mining operations produce their required
electric power locally. Some source their required electric power from national or regional grids,
requiring a site substation. Similarly, the required raw water can be supplied locally from a reservoir
dam or transported by gravity or pumping from remote areas, sometimes hundreds of kilometres away.
Layout of Mining Facilities - Answers Designing an optimal layout of mine site facilities is a time-
consuming and multidisciplinary job. Involves civil, electrical, mechanical, mining and other engineering
disciplines and even other non-engineering disciplines like architecture. It is not unusual that the layout
changes several times during the planning phase.
Ore Body Geometry and Geology - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes ore body geometry and geology.
Material Properties - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services includes
material properties (dust, abrasive, slakes, etc.).
Mining Method Selected - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services includes
the mining method selected (open cut or underground?).
Materials Handling Methods - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes materials handling methods, equipment selected, and labor required.
Design and Cost Comparison - Answers Information required for mine infrastructure and services
includes design and cost of similar installations in other mines.
