University of Arizona SME/NSSGA Student Design Competition

Project number: 
21070
Sponsor: 
UA Mining & Geological Engineering Department
Academic year: 
2020-2021
Project Goal: Develop an efficient and systematic mine plan for the annual student design competition put on by the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.

This competition called for an optimum design of the Greenback Quarry in Loudon County, Tennessee. The company ordered an extensive Request for Proposal, including operational and reclamation plans, market analysis and a financial overview.

A minerology analysis of core logs taken from the site showed primarily dolomite and limestone, indicating that the quarry operation would be successful. Hexagon's MinePlan-3D software calculated the feasible resources and reserves. With this information and a production requirement of 380,000 tons per year, the team developed multiple pit designs and an operational plan that limited unnecessary haulage routes to an aggregate processing facility. The pit design consisted of 26 million tons of minable reserves, resulting in a scheduled quarry life of 62 years. The shutdown plan focused on reclaiming the site as a butterfly sanctuary to help boost local tourism. The quarry design plan had net present value of $3.1 million and a 21% internal rate of return.

The team of University of Arizona seniors placed first in the annual international contest.

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