Geology and Mining: A Symbiotic Cooperation?!

Abstract

The challenge to maximize resource efficiency requires the optimal use of all products leaving a mine—not only ore but also waste products—and calls for contributions from and cooperation with every discipline involved as efficiently as possible. These interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary interactions between practitioners and scientists are also an act of learning and take time. They should be initiated at the start of the exploration phase and continue to the postmining stage. This paper focuses on the interactions of geologists and mining engineers, with examples in the exploration phase (preliminary economic evaluations at milestones using the rule of thumb), the feasibility and mine-design stage (bulk testing, test mining, mine design to minimize dilution and losses), the mining stage (grade control, selective mining, especially in smaller-scale deposit mining, and further exploration to extend a mine’s life), waste management during the lifecycle of a mine, and the postmining closure and land-use stage. An additional section addresses the beneficial cooperation in helping small-scale and artisanal miners in developing nations to meet obligations under new laws in industrialized nations regarding due diligence in supply chains and, thereby, support them in retaining their markets and incomes.