Environmental assessment and approval is of highly importance. Up to date we have opened up for discussion the general topic of a mine cycle – from start-up to closure with a broken down summary of the exploration phase so far. Every day we will share depth discussions concerning the next phase. We will be looking into the details of preparing for construction through mining pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.

This post today is all about the third stage to the mineral development resources cycle, namely environmental assessment and approval. Mining pre-feasibility and feasibility studies determine if a resource or deposit is worth developing, alongside other intricate logistics and precautions. Scoping and pre-feasibility results also establish whether future investment is even sensible and sustainable. Pre-feasibility studies and detailed feasibility studies are similar to one another regarding content. The difference between the two exists’ in the accuracy and time vital to execute the studies.

Four critical elements that researchers examine and look at when assessing a reserve is any data previously obtained, engineering analysis, the markets examination and the costs involved in the development and retirement of a mine.

The concluding feasibility report is a detailed and complex assessment. The study of the engineering and economic implications of a mining structure, the infrastructure requirements and the report on the impact and mitigation of the surrounding environment are all aspects included in the final feasibility report. This report aims to seek feedback from certain groups mainly industry professionals, stakeholders, Governments, community groups, geologists, assistants to specialists drill operators pilots and few others.

Within this phase of assessing the environment there is a wide range of employed specialists who offer highly skilled base expertise and knowledge such as:

• Mining scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
• Mining method analysis and selection
• Mining production capability assessment
• Production and development scheduling
• Capital and operating cost estimation
• Mining equipment selection
• Mining logistics capability assessments
• Mining engineering and infrastructure design
• Estimation of manpower and management requirements
• Implementation scheduling
• Financial analysis modelling and valuation

Click here to apply for any of the above job descriptions