Chris Bray
SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd
Chris Bray BEng, MAusIMM(CP) is a Principal Consultant (Mining Engineer) with SRK UK, based in Bulgaria, with 20 years international mining experience. He manages and contributes to a wide range of multidisciplinary technical projects and has a strong background in open pit and underground mine optimisation, mining method selection, mine design, scheduling, ventilation, water management, equipment selection, cost estimation, materials handling, contracting, financial modelling, benchmarking, due diligence and valuation which can assist in determining and communicating practical solutions for challenges faced by mining projects and operations.
Early stage planning for underground mines: finding your way.
Mining method, orebody access, materials handling and mineral processing methods are all factors that can affect the chosen location for infrastructure, optimal production rate, saleable product(s) and project development approach. For underground mines, this often complex and interconnected system is best assessed through mine planning and option studies at the early stages of developing a project in order to define a preferred mining scenario. This presentation identifies typical project cost and revenue drivers and suggests approaches for efficiently navigating through early stage studies to determine a preferred approach that will provide a focus for further data collection and which can be optimised as project and orebody knowledge increases.