Published on MNG 230: Introduction to Mining Engineering (https://www.e-education.psu.edu/mng230)

Home > Lessons > Module 9: Surface Mining > Lesson 9.5: Case Study - Phosphate Surface Mine > 9.5.8: Construction of a New Pit

9.5.8: Construction of a New Pit

9.5.8: Construction of a New Pit

Now, with this understanding of the individual components, let’s watch a video (8:57) showing the construction and set up of a new pit. Note all of the related activities in the background.

New pit setup
Source: The Mosaic Company [1]
There is no audio track for this video.

Of course, as mining advances, it becomes necessary to move the pit to the next location. This is a process accomplished over a shift. The next video, which is about 6 minutes in length, captures a complete move over a nine-hour period. Fasten your seatbelts!

Old style pit move
Source: The Mosaic Company [1]
There is no audio track for this video.

The design of a slurry transport system is covered in our materials handling course, MNG 404. Here, it is worth noting a few defining characteristics of the system used at the Mosaic mines.

  • 2,000 tph capacity
  • 1,500 hp or greater pump motors
  • up to 62” diameter pump impellers
  • pipelines up to 10 mi long
    • 20” diameter pipe
    • pumps every 1 mi
  • slurry
    • 35% solids by weight w/ up to 6” – 8“ size fraction

Finally, we can take a look at the placement of overburden into a previously mined cut.

Overburden removal to previous cut
Source: The Mosaic Company [1]
There is no vocal track for this video, only the sounds of the machinery.

Source URL:https://www.e-education.psu.edu/mng230/node/895

Links
[1] https://www.mosaicco.com/