1
25-011
Application and Verification of an Automated Calculation Tool
for Planning and Cost Estimation of Underground Mines
Franziska Günther
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
Helmut Mischo
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
ABSTRACT
The calculation of costs for an underground mine, as well
as the planning of the equipment and materials to be used,
is a complex and time-consuming process. The estimation
depends on a multitude of parameters, and all mining pro-
cesses are interconnected. A novel tool has been developed
that enables automated calculation of underground mines
and allows for the comparison of the effects of changing
individual parameters.
Previously, changing individual planning parameters
often necessitated a complete recalculation of the mine.
The newly developed calculation tool provides an innova-
tive planning aid that allows for more efficient and accu-
rate mine planning and cost estimation. The tool enables
the user to implement continuously up-to-data costs and
prices. This allows for more accurate planning data and
results.
The underlying concept of the calculation tool, its
implementation at a planned quartz porphyry mine in
Germany, and the verification of the tool at an existing
underground mine will be presented.
INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION
The planning of underground mines is a challenging and
highly complex process. Dependencies on the specific
deposit, such as location constraints, the quality and quan-
tity of the raw material, and unique extraction factors like
resource depletion, represent just a few of the numerous
factors distinguishing mining as a primary industry sector
from secondary industries. These factors must be consid-
ered in the planning and project development phases to
ensure that mining projects can be developed sustainably
and with a forward-looking approach, achieving both eco-
nomic and ecological success. Key challenges in the mine
planning phase include frequently changing regulatory
conditions, fluctuating raw material prices, the substantial
investment volume required with a relatively delayed return
on investment, lengthy permitting processes, and the nec-
essary societal and political acceptance of resource projects.
Against this backdrop, there is a clear need to structure
the cost estimation of mining projects in a way that allows
for rapid and flexible adjustments in response to changing
prerequisites and geological, geotechnical, technological
and economical conditions. A comprehensive assessment
of mining projects must always incorporate both technical-
technological and economic aspects, while ensuring the
environmental compatibility and sustainability of the proj-
ect, such as in terms of CO₂ emissions. The interdependen-
cies within individual processes are particularly complex in
underground mining operations, influenced by factors like
the confined, enclosed space and limited access points of a
mine. Furthermore, each mine is characterized by unique
location- and deposit-specific attributes.
Traditional planning methods approach the mining
planning process in a stepwise manner, despite the fact that
it is highly iterative and shaped by interconnected process
dependencies. This approach is labor-intensive and time-
consuming, as calculations require constant adjustments
and repetitions. Consequently, for smaller mining projects,
often only a pre-defined preferred scenario is calculated
from the outset. The accuracy of these calculations gener-
ally depends significantly on the experience of the planner,
who relies on established knowledge and benchmarks. This
approach poses a risk of overlooking potential optimiza-
tions through modern technologies, as planning frequently
follows the principle of “we’ve always done it this way.”
This paper presents a new approach for the planning
and cost estimation of underground mines, covering all pri-
mary, auxiliary, and secondary processes. Therefore, a cal-
culation tool has been developed with the goal of enabling
faster, more effective, and highly accurate planning of
25-011
Application and Verification of an Automated Calculation Tool
for Planning and Cost Estimation of Underground Mines
Franziska Günther
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
Helmut Mischo
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany
ABSTRACT
The calculation of costs for an underground mine, as well
as the planning of the equipment and materials to be used,
is a complex and time-consuming process. The estimation
depends on a multitude of parameters, and all mining pro-
cesses are interconnected. A novel tool has been developed
that enables automated calculation of underground mines
and allows for the comparison of the effects of changing
individual parameters.
Previously, changing individual planning parameters
often necessitated a complete recalculation of the mine.
The newly developed calculation tool provides an innova-
tive planning aid that allows for more efficient and accu-
rate mine planning and cost estimation. The tool enables
the user to implement continuously up-to-data costs and
prices. This allows for more accurate planning data and
results.
The underlying concept of the calculation tool, its
implementation at a planned quartz porphyry mine in
Germany, and the verification of the tool at an existing
underground mine will be presented.
INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION
The planning of underground mines is a challenging and
highly complex process. Dependencies on the specific
deposit, such as location constraints, the quality and quan-
tity of the raw material, and unique extraction factors like
resource depletion, represent just a few of the numerous
factors distinguishing mining as a primary industry sector
from secondary industries. These factors must be consid-
ered in the planning and project development phases to
ensure that mining projects can be developed sustainably
and with a forward-looking approach, achieving both eco-
nomic and ecological success. Key challenges in the mine
planning phase include frequently changing regulatory
conditions, fluctuating raw material prices, the substantial
investment volume required with a relatively delayed return
on investment, lengthy permitting processes, and the nec-
essary societal and political acceptance of resource projects.
Against this backdrop, there is a clear need to structure
the cost estimation of mining projects in a way that allows
for rapid and flexible adjustments in response to changing
prerequisites and geological, geotechnical, technological
and economical conditions. A comprehensive assessment
of mining projects must always incorporate both technical-
technological and economic aspects, while ensuring the
environmental compatibility and sustainability of the proj-
ect, such as in terms of CO₂ emissions. The interdependen-
cies within individual processes are particularly complex in
underground mining operations, influenced by factors like
the confined, enclosed space and limited access points of a
mine. Furthermore, each mine is characterized by unique
location- and deposit-specific attributes.
Traditional planning methods approach the mining
planning process in a stepwise manner, despite the fact that
it is highly iterative and shaped by interconnected process
dependencies. This approach is labor-intensive and time-
consuming, as calculations require constant adjustments
and repetitions. Consequently, for smaller mining projects,
often only a pre-defined preferred scenario is calculated
from the outset. The accuracy of these calculations gener-
ally depends significantly on the experience of the planner,
who relies on established knowledge and benchmarks. This
approach poses a risk of overlooking potential optimiza-
tions through modern technologies, as planning frequently
follows the principle of “we’ve always done it this way.”
This paper presents a new approach for the planning
and cost estimation of underground mines, covering all pri-
mary, auxiliary, and secondary processes. Therefore, a cal-
culation tool has been developed with the goal of enabling
faster, more effective, and highly accurate planning of