Ahead of the marcus evans Mining Leaders Forum 2022, Tim Cartledge discusses the opportunities that some mining companies overlook.

1. Interview with: Tim Cartledge,
Principal, CM&G
“Detailed understanding and modelling
of ground conditions is a critical
component in any mining project for
sustainable extraction of economic
commodities, and future expansion and
growth. Mining operations that invest in
comprehensive investigative geotech-
nical work can create value-addition to
their relevant project portfolios. Detailed
investigation can support the mining of
steeper slopes, increasing ore reserves
potentially worth millions of dollars. It is
critical to understand the geomechani-
cal, hydrogeological, geological and
structural characteristics of the rock
mass to develop a robust understanding
of potential failure modes, to allow the
formulation of practical hazard minimisa-
tion options and pre-mining. This allows
for risk to be factored into the mine plan
and reduces the likelihood of costly
delays due to geotechnical failures,”
says Tim Cartledge, Principal, CM&G.
Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics is a
sponsor company at the marcus evans
Mining Leaders Forum 2022.
What complexities are your clients
not always aware of? How does your
approach make a difference?
There are different ore extraction
processes, or geotechnical complexities
that might not have been considered in
the feasibility and final project evalua-
tion stages or operational stages,
depending on project status. Part of
what we provide, as a consultancy
group, is a technical review that extracts
the maximum value from a geological/
geotechnical database. We often find
that mines have a database of geologi-
cal/geotechnical information, but they do
not know how to properly apply or
interrogate the data to get the best
results. We understand the engineering
side, the longevity side, and the
geological structure’s implications, which
others sometimes overlook. We help
mines identify new opportunities to
create value, to extract additional ore
and to mitigate potential failures. It is all
about finding the best, most practical
solutions for their situation.
How can they make better use of
their data?
It depends on the available database,
but quite often, we see mines do not
collect specific characteristics or
overlook critical aspects of the data. For
instance, they may have collected
detailed studies and geophysical surveys
to characterise the rockmass and
construct models to identify areas
susceptible to failure. Then they combine
this information into one database but
do not characterise and differentiate the
different discontinuities present.
Overlooking this information can have a
significant impact on site design and
lead to costly failures and sterilised ore.
Grouping discontinuities together during
database interrogation and rockmass
characterising in the initial design phase
can help. However, if faults and weaker
joints are characterised into a single
defect set, it is easy to conclude the
entire rockmass is more competent than
it really is. The best-case scenario from
combining information and overlooking
potential hazards makes serious impacts
on the mining schedule. It can also
mean catastrophic failures or underuti-
lised sites.
How can they minimise risk across
the entirety of their mine asset’s
lifecycle?
Our role as geotechnical consultants is
not only about mitigating risk, but also
about identifying untapped opportuni-
ties. Our approach allows us to consider
the potential for creating more stable
slopes and extracting additional ore. For
example, we helped one of our clients
recover an extra AUD 5 million worth of
ore per 100m of strike length of wall.
We get more robust, reliable, and
repeatable results because we take the
time and initiative to understand how
rockmass characteristics and how the
rock behaves under different stress
conditions. Knowing how the rock
behaves and responds to excavation
processes allows us to optimise the slope
configuration parameters while ensuring
stable slopes are maintained to
maximise reserve recovery. In our
experiences with a diverse clientele
base, we have observed trends in
designs based on the inadequate
investigation to understand the
characteristic rockmass behaviour and
response controls, leading to slope
designs that do not maximise ore
recovery and expose the slope to
instabilities.
What trends should mining compa-
nies prepare for? What technologies
can they make better use of?
Block caving is a large-scale mining
method that has become more popular,
especially with low grade ore bodies, as
it allows high-volume mining. Mining
caves are usually 1-2 km deep, which is
considered a low-stress environment.
However, there is very little understand-
ing of how bigger and deeper the cave
will develop once it has been blasted and
draw initiated. There is a need to
understand cave mechanics and cave
propagation at depth, and whether the
mining method will still be a viable
option in more competent rockmass
characteristics at greater depths.
We also have many different rock and
soil monitoring instrument devices
available today, as a product of
technological advancement. Drones
provide another perspective or
dimension through visual representation
of previously inaccessible areas of a
mine, and can help mines identify
potential failures they could not see
before. Satellite imagery is also
becoming more common for monitoring
large areas, as the quality of images and
data interrogation techniques have
improved.
Any final words of advice?
Mining companies need to consider the
future of their mines and how they will
leave the environment at the end of the
mine’s life cycle. They must plan the
environmental aspects of mine closure.
The old approach of not considering the
consequences of their industry cannot
continue. They must focus more on how
their operations and mining systems
influence and affect the environment.
There is a need
to understand cave
mechanics and cave
propagation at
depth
Extracting More Value
from a Mining Project

2. marcus evans forums deliver
peer-to-peer information on
strategic matters, professional
trends and breakthrough
innovations.
Please note that the forum is a
closed business event and the
number of participants strictly
limited.
About the Mining Leaders Forum 2022
The Mining Leaders Forum is an invitation-only, premium forum bringing leading
mining executives and innovative suppliers and solution providers. The forum’s
content is aligned with key mining industry challenges and interests, relevant
market developments, and practical and progressive ideas and strategies adopted
by successful pioneers.
www.may22.miningleadersforum.marcusevans.com
About Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics
As projects become more complex and delivery times shorten, understanding the ground conditions is critical to developing
successful mining projects. Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics provide geotechnical solutions for your project life-cycle, from
advisory services through to construction support. We have worked on and project managed geotechnically and commercially
complex, large civil projects in residential and mining environments, consistently delivering positive outcomes for all stakeholders
involved.
Our team have worked for large multi-disciplinary and small boutique consultancies, multi-national mining houses and R&D roles
across the globe providing a valuable blend of practical and technical experience.
www.cmandg.com.au
About marcus evans group
The marcus evans group has 35 years experience in the production of premium business events. Known globally for our
unwavering dedication to quality and excellence, we aid our clients in achieving their strategic goals by providing market leading
business intelligence otherwise inaccessible to them.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
To view the web version of this interview, please click here:
https://events.marcusevans-events.com/mining2022-tim-cartledge
Contact
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
For more information please send an email to press@marcusevanscy.com
All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly
inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com