Which is the deepest mine in India?

                    Mining is all about who well you can dig and how deep you can dig to get the desired mineral. In the process, India have also evolved to innovate methods to dig deep and have constructed one of the world's deepest mines.

Deepest mine in India (Non functional):

Kolar Gold Fields

Owned by Bharat Gold Mines Limited BGML (now closed) 

Depth - 3200 meters (10500 feet)

Mineral - Gold 

Currently not operating

Will be resuming the operations in near future. 

Initially extracted as Open Pit Mines and later developed into underground mines and has been one of the deepest mines in the world. 

Deepest Mine in India (Operational): 

Jaduguda Uranium Mine

Owned by Uranium Corporation India Limited (UCIL)

Depth - 914.4 m (3000 feet)

Mineral - Uranium 

One of the oldest uranium mine. 

Richest grade of uranium is found in Jaduguda

Horizontal Cut and fill mining Method with backfill  

IN FUTURE,

Deepest mines in India:

Sindesar Khurd Mine

Owned by Hindustan Zinc Limited (Subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc.)

Depth - 1050 m (3450 feet)

Mineral - Zinc and lead concentrates 

By product - Silver

Currently not yet producing at that depth, shift sinking in process.

Blast Hole Open Stoping with paste fill

Rampura Agucha Mine

Owned by Hindustan Zinc Limited (Subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc.)

Depth - 950 m (3120 feet)

Mineral - Zinc and lead concentrates 

Simultaneous Open cast and Underground mining operations

Underground operations are still in development stage

Long hole open stoping with pastefill

Deepest Underground Coal Mine:

Chinakuri Coal Mine

Owned by Eastern Coalfield Limited (Subsidiary of Coal India Limited)

Depth - 700 m (2300 feet)

First coal mine in India 

Non Functional (Stopped after an explosion)

Bord and Pillar Mining Method

Surface and Underground Mining Methods

In different parts of the world, people have their own style of eating such as Chinese eat with chopsticks, Indians eat with their hands, western people eat with spoon, fork and knife. While God knows how these people manage with three; rather than eating focusing on spoons for eating. While this goes true for mining too. Different parts of the world has different types of conditions in which a mineral is found and which led to adopting of different types of mining methods.

These mining methods can be broadly divided into two: 

1. Surface mining methods
2. Underground mining methods 

Child digs a pit to hide his belongings, so does the mining engineer digs a pit to extract the coal out of the mother earth. Extracting the coal from surface by removal of overburden are known as surface mining methods. Mining methods are specifically dependent on the type of the mineral to be extracted which can be classified into soft rocks and hard rocks. The soft rocks include coal, limestone, oilshale and other sedimentary rocks while the hard rocks include gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, lead, tin and other igneous rocks. Following are the surface mining methods which are commonly used in extraction of a mineral are:

1. Strip mining
2. Open pit mining
3. Open cast mining
4. Mountain removal technique
5. Quarries
6. Highwall mining (Auger mining)
7. Placer mining
8. Solution mining

The minerals which are deep inside the mother earth are not feasible to be extracted by surface mining methods. There are numrerous underground mining methods which can be broadly divide into underground mining in soft rock and Underground mining in hard rock.

Following are the commonly used mining methods in soft rock mines:

1. Room/Bord and Pillar Mining
2. Longwall Mining
3. Shortwall Mining

There exist special type of mining methods depending on the specifications of the site which are:

1. Plowing mining in thin seams.
2. High pressure water jet mining.
3. Blasting gallery method for thick seams.
4. Longwall top coal caving method in thick seams.
5. Multislicing mining method in thick seams.
6. Cut and fill mining method in steep seams.
7. Sublevel caving method in steep seams.
8. Scraper assisted chamber method for moderately dipping seams. 
9. Short longwall method for extraction of standing pillars. 

The underground mining methods in the hard rock mines include:

1. Room and Pillar Mining
2. Post Room and Pillar Mining
3. Step Room and Pillar Mining
4. Shrinkage stoping
5. Sublevel Open stopping
6. Bighole Open stopping
7. Vertical Crater Retreat mining
8. Cut and fill mining (overhand/underhand)
9. Longwall mining
10. Sublevel caving 
11. Block caving
12. Vein Mining (Resuing)

These are the mining methods which are widely used throughout the world. Hope to describe these methods one by one in the upcoming posts. Good luck.

Should you opt M.S or M.Eng in Mining?

                  In the mindset of the every student, there exists a very bold aspiration, to pursue masters in the international universities. However, every student doesn't have a clear understanding between M.Sc. and M.Eng. While I have a little knowledge about how this influences in other streams of engineering but I can assure it matters a lot in mining stream.

             You can think what's a big deal if a student applies for M.Eng. or M.Sc. as they both represent the masters degree. The master's degree you choose has a totally different influence in your career and on your mindset. Then what is the difference between them?? 

By definition:

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) can be either an academic and professional master's degree in the field of engineering. 

Master of Science (M.S. or M.Sc.) is granted for studies in engineering focused on the growth and improvement of the subject.

                  The students are not fond of definitions which make them more confused towards these things. Let me help you to describe a little more about these in a non professional way.

                  Master of Engineering is a degree for those who are interested to increase their knowledge in technical aspects of the subject and will be joining the industry after their graduation. In this program, the time of graduation can go from one and half year to that of two years depends on completion of the technical courses. In some universities, there is a clause to completion of program which include to present a technical paper. While in some other universities, student should undertake internship and present a technical report about the internship for graduation. This program is totally oriented towards preparing a graduate towards a professional career path i.e. towards an industry. 

               Master of Science is a degree for those who are interested in research. Research means performing experiments to develop something new such that it helps the industry in one form or the other. In this program, you will be allocated a project to develop the experiments and perform it under the guidance of a professor and complete a thesis on the performed experiments and findings. The time frame of the graduation depends on the completion of  the thesis which may take up to two to three years. Especially, this program is for those who are interested in pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) while the M.Eng. students cannot pursue PhD. The career options for this program can lead to industrial jobs especially in Research and Development (R&D) sector of the industry / Scientist / Professor. 

                   Opting a degree, can make you focus towards your future aspirations. Both the degrees are focused towards the professional career path in their respective manner, now it depends on the students whether they want to pursue masters by research i.e. M.Sc. or M.Eng. which is professional masters degree.

               There is a saying "No pain No gain". The real deal in the M.Sc. program is to find something new and presenting the findings in the form of publications and to find the right career forward. While that in M.Eng. program is to create a network inside the industries to obtain a position in the industry. 

                           

                       Hoping the prospective students will choose their degree wisely and wishing the students all the very best for their future.  

Picture Sources:

theprideconsultants.com

cornell.edu

Which Mine Planning software is extensively used in India?

                   In the past two decades, the dependence of human life on computers is increased drastically. The applications of storing data and re utilizing the data whenever needed has made it much easier than in the log books. In the present time, the computers are being used in every industry and has become a important part of the human life. Mining Industry, like all other industries is increasingly progressing towards the usage of computers not only in storing the data but also in planning the whole mine.

          The significant increase in storage capacity and the processing speeds made the mining industry to rely on computer applications to carry out the designs, monitoring of the designs, scheduling of the operations with large amounts of data storage and retrieval. The various planning software's that are being used in the mining industry are:

1) Mine 2-4D and CADSMine software

                Once known as Graphic Mining Solutions International (GMSI) has developed and Mine 2-4D and CADSMine software which was then changed the company name to Mine RP. This company has been recently launched and found to be acquired by RungePincockMineraco. Mine2-4D software is used only for planning while the CADSMine Software can be used for range of works which include geological modelling to mine rehabilitation designs.
       
2) XPAC software

                 Software is developed by RungePincockMineraco can be used for planning and scheduling of open cast and underground coal mines and only open cast metal mines.

3) SURPAC and MINEX software

              Gemcom now owned by Geovia developed these softwares. SURPAC is mainly used for geological modelling of the ore bodies and designing open cast and underground metal mines. Whereas MINEX is a coal mining software which is used for geological models and mine planning of coal and other stratified ore bodies such as limestone. These softwares can support from exploration to the mine rehabilitation designs in their respective fields.

4) VULCAN software

                Maptek Vulcan can be used in all the mining scenarios i.e. coal, metal and quarries which may be open cast or underground. This software can also be used for creating geological models and then for planning to mine rehabilitation designs. This software is available in packages which can be available according to the mining scenario.

5) Hexagon's Minesight software
                     
                 Minesight took life in a small consulting company named Mintec which provides planning tools for opencast and underground operations. This software can be used from feasibility studies to daily mine operations planning which also includes long term planning and short term planning.
  

6) Minemax Software

           Minemax software named after the name of the company will be completing its 20th anniversary next year which provides planning tools in geological modelling and planning of open pit mines.

7) Carlson Software
                Carlson Mining software is extensively used in United States coal mines which provides tools for geology, surface mining and underground mining and also assist in other stratified deposits.

8)Datamine

                  Datamine is a software which is used to improvise the mine plans in accordance to the geotechnical difficulties present in the area.

There may be many existing mine planning softwares throughout the global. These ate the few that gained popularity throughout the years and are being used in large number of mines.

The big question which remains unanswered is that which mine planning software is extensively used in India?

SURPAC and MINEX are the softwares that are being extensively used in India and in the World.

While the South African Market uses a different software which is recently acquired by the RPMglobal i.e Mine2-4D software. The market share of planning softwares in the South Africa is shown in the figure.

Sources
http://www.infomine.com/publications/docs/InternationalMining/Chadwick2007s.pdf
http://www.saimm.co.za/Journal/v113n06p497.pdf

Gold Reserves in India

As the saying "Every person has their own way to look at things." Normal person looks at gold to be a precious metal to buy it as instruments while the chemist looks at it as chemical metal which atomic number 79 and symbolizes gold as Au. The engineer digs deep into the metal and uses it to his own benefits to use it in the electronic while the doctor does the same thing but to use it into the medical facilities to help the people from suffering. The one thing is common in all the prospects of a human it's valuable.

The physical and chemical properties of the gold and its scarcity makes it so valuable. Gold is know to be the most ductile metal. One ounce of gold can be made into a 80 km long thin wire which is also the concept behind making ornaments for which people go crazy. Gold is very good conductor of heat and electricity as it has electric resistivity of 0.022 micro-ohm and thermal conductivity of 310 W m-1. Gold is also very good corrosion resistant metal and doesn't oxidize which makes it to be a noble metal. These characteristics makes gold, one of the most valuable and precious metal on earth.

But wait how much is gold found on earth?

The estimates according to 2014, the gold reserves are estimated to be around 60,000 metric tons of gold. The Australia leads the reserves base by 9,900 metric tons with South Africa having 6000 metric tons of gold. The worldwide production reached 2860 metric tons in 2016 with China contributing it to 14%. The chart shows the gold mining reserves in the top ten countries which makes it 80% of the total gold reserves of the world.

The gold mining reserves in India is estimated up to 491 tonnes. As there is only one mine operational i.e. Hutti Gold mine in Karnataka which produces 3-4 tonnes annually.

Be aware about the difference between gold mining reserves and the gold holding reserves. The gold holding reserves corresponds to the holdings of the central bank of the country in the form of gold. The statistics of these reserves are far different than a person can expect. The normal person would expect the largest mining reserve would have the highest holding reserve While the truth is USA is in the top of the table followed by Germany. India is on the 11th place with 557.7 metric tonnes of reserves in central bank.

The gold holdings in the people of India as ornaments is estimated to be around 20,000 metric tonnes which is double to that of Australian gold mining reserves.

Sources:
thehindubusinessline.com
stasista.com
www.gold.org>download>file

Digital Technology in Mining Industry

A new era "Digital India" initiated by Government of India has given rise to new prospects of research and implementation in various fields. The main objectives of this initiative being availabity of government services by improving the online infrastructure and thereby increasing the internet connectivity throughout nation has developed huge potiential in sensors, telecommunication cables, optical fibers etc.

The specific areas of implementation under Digital India programme have out cornered the basic primary industries such as agriculture and mining. Technological boost in the primary sector can improve the economy significantly which can increase the agricultural output in the national and increase the safety in mining sector.

Can digitization be implemented in mining sector?

Though one of the primary industry, there hasn't been any technological innovations/breakthroughs in the Indian mining sector. The age old process of human labour digging with tools and carrying in the baskets have been diminshed to a large extent. Modernization is slowly being adapted in the Indian mining industry where development in metal mines has been through Jumbos, underground mine trucks while in coal mines by electric shovels, draglines.

The next step would be towards automation where Digital India could serve as a best platform for the mining industry. Few mines are starting to adapt semi automation like remote controlled LHD's in underground metal mines which just feels like enjoying play station game in a real field scenario. Monstrous looking trucks like that of transformers could be the best part of the mining future. Though modernization is kicking up the production, the safety aspects of the working environment remains to be the same.

In the safety point of view, the technology can improve the monitoring standards in the mines. Technology can connect every point in the mine make it a 3D object to access and analyse the conditions in much simpler manner. It can increase the accuracy of the monitoring devices which makes them work efficiently while it may irk the personnels to maintain the standards at the precise levels.

Finally, to conclude with note, Digitization of the mining sector is essential for the growth of the economy and also for the safer working conditions.

Source: www.digitalindia.gov.in

In the process of creating monitoring systems. Wish me luck 

Mining Research Institutions in India

1. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

           CSIR is a premier industrial R&D organization in India which was formed in 1942. Apart from mining, they also work in the areas of radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology, nano technology, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.

           The research areas in mining and minerals that are being focused in CSIR are:

• Briquetting, pelletization and sintering of iron ore fines  
• Column flotation methodologies for various minerals  
• Advanced structural material, electronic materials, nano materials, bio-medical materials 
• Light-weight metals, alloys, ceramics and composites  
• Extraction, material development and manufacturing  
• Biomimetic synthesis  
• Alloy development  
• Materials forming, joining and evaluation

           The head office of CSIR is located in Delhi.

2. Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR)
         
           CIMFR is coalition of two premier coal laboratories (CMRI & CFRI) and is basically a laboratory of CSIR. The research areas are mainly surrounded around coal and are as follows:

• Technology up-gradation
• Mines safety
• Environmental issues
• Equipment utilization
• Clean coal initiative 
• Optimizing slope stability in opencast mines
• Development of coal based value added carbons of varied specification
• Reduce dependence on petroleum feed stock through conversion of coal into synthetic fuel and other chemicals
• Continuation of the national task of resource quality assessment in alliance with coal producing industries
• Perfecting ground control technology for tunneling and underground caverns
• Societal mission
• Alternative energy sources

          CIMFR is located at five locations across the country which are situated at Digwadih, Ranchi, Nagpur, Bilaspur and Roorkee. 

3. Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT)

          IMMT is also a laboratory of CSIR which was setup in 1964 in Bhubaneswar. This research center is mainly focused towards the mineral processing, materials technology, hydro & electro metallurgy, process modelling & instrumentation, colloids & material chemistry, central characterization cell, design & project engineering and environment and sustainability . The research focuses in the field of mineral processing are:

• Evaluation of low grade ores and minerals to develop suitable flow sheets.
• Generation of design data for scale-up
• Development of innovative and new techniques for utilization of complex ores
• Development of processes to recover valuables from wastes and by-products
• Improving the performance of existing plants by suitable modification.
• Energy reduction in unit operation in mineral processing. 
• Environmental pollution studies related to mineral, metallurgical and chemical industries

4. National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM)

           NIRM was established in 1988 under the Ministry of mines, Government of India situated in Bangalore and has been focused on rock engineering to design and development in the field of Mining and Civil construction industry. The main research focus are:

• Site characterization
• Design and Modelling
• Rock Excavation
• Monitoring Services
• Testing Services

5. National Institute of Miners Health (NIMH)

           NIMH was formed by the Ministry of Mines in the year 1989 in accordance to the Occupational Health and hygiene in Mines at Kolar Gold Fields and a new campus in Nagpur. The main focus areas are:

• Airborne respirable dust monitoring
• Heat Stress monitoring
• Vibrations monitoring
• Noise monitoring and mapping
• Illumination 

6. International Center of Excellence in Mining (iCEM)

          iCEM is a new institute has been setup to promote research in the field of safety and automation. The institute is in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, University of Wollongong Australia, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University. The major research interests in global front are:

• Technology for mineral processing development
• Rock Mechanics
• Geomatics & Remote Sensing
• Geo-Environment
• Mine Planning & Design
• Surface Mining of Metalliferous Ore
• Safety & Human Factors
• Automation 
• Bulk material handling
• Mine backfilling

7. National Metallurgical laboratory (NML)

          NML is the third oldest laboratory under CSIR situated at Chennai which basically focuses on following areas:

• Mineral Processing
• Extractive Metallurgy
• Surface Engineering
• Applied & Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Engineering
• Materials Evaluation
• Energy and Environment

8. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

         BARC was found by Dr. Homi Jhangir Bhabha with the help of Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in 1945. This research institution mainly focus on research related to nuclear engineering. The main focus area related to mining in BARC is the Environmental and Radiation monitoring in Uranium Mines.


Comment : I hope there are few more research institutes which I definitely missed. I would appreciate if anyone can elongate this list.