Mining of the deposit will be by open pit surface mining methods involving standard truck and haul mining techniques. It has been assumed that no drill and blast will be required given the weathered nature of the deposit and corresponding weak material strength.
The graphite distribution at Munglinup is well constrained and outcrops at surface. The mineralised zones lie within the weathered horizon, generally dipping to the east at around 50°. Material hardness measurements show that the deposit is free-dig with possible blasting required at the base of the deepest pits.
The general mine layout has been developed so that dumps and infrastructure do not encroach on areas of likely continuing mineralisation that have yet to be drilled. Exclusion areas have also been established around significant environmental and heritage areas.
The mining method adopted is based on open pit mining and was evaluated assuming a traditional truck and hydraulic excavator operation.
The operational philosophy is to only operate the mine during day shift, on a 5/2 roster. Run of Mine (“ROM”) operations will continue 24/7 and be owner operated, managed by the process plant.
Annual material movement is planned to be limited to 3.5Mt per annum for the first 3 years of operation then reducing to a maximum of 3Mt per annum.
The optimisation shells selected comprised 13 open pits, mined over 2 stages, which initially target the higher val ........
