PROJECT SYNOPSIS UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY (UMaT), TARKWA MINING ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PROJECT TOPIC A METHODOLOGY OF EVALUATING

THE QUALITY IN HARD ROCK MINE LATERAL DEVELOPMENT AT ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI (AGA) OBUASI MINE.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM In this modern era of mining there is continuous research being done on new and improved ways of rapidly, efficiently, cost effectively and most important safer ways of excavation in order to delineate the oreboby. This process is known as lateral development. Other purposes of lateral development are for orebody exploration and also for preparation for mining. There is a need to establish an optimal rate of advancement with respect to lateral development as this influences the time required to reach the orebody thus having effects on certain key economic parameters such as payback period, net present value (NPV) and the rate of return. This project takes into account the use of quality assurance in the individual practices making up the entire lateral development cycle with serious consideration on using drilling and blasting techniques to increase actual lateral development rates for single headings. The quality issues in relation to cost, speed and overall performance are analysed in these practices. The activities involved in these practices are modelled in detail and the process parameters analysed.

OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH To determine the quality of lateral development activities practiced by AGA. To determine an optimal rate of advance of lateral development for AGA. To determine new and improve techniques that lead to an increased speed of lateral development to improve mining business economics at AGA.

JUSTIFICATION There are various benefits that can be derived from quality practices in the activities of mine lateral development, among these are;

 Lowering of operating costs Reduces time required to get to the orebody thus improving upon the economic parameters such as rate of return, net present value and payback period. Better economic parameters led to lower grade mineral deposits becoming profitable thus expanding reserves and increasing mine life. Expedient exploration of new targets.

METHODOLOGY The methods that will be employed in this project are; Description of development cycle activities at AGA Obuasi mine. Base case scenario in which the development activities are simulated to determine the overall rate of development Prioritization analyses to determine how the poor quality causes react to the process performance and to determine the internal cost of poor quality

FACILITIES TO BE EMPLOYED Internet facilities and library materials of UMaT Data from AGA Obuasi mine Technical supervision

EXPECTED RESULTS It is expected that this project will Establish new and improve quality techniques that can lead to an increased speed in lateral development to improve mining business economics at AGA. Establish an optimal rate of advance of lateral development for AGA.

. Mr. Peter Arroja Eshun (Supervisor)

.. Kofi Frimpong-Ofosu (Student)