Assessment Scenario
The scenario for this assignment is that you have been invited to join a start-up resources company that is hoping to identify multiple opportunities in the Australian mining resources sector. When they have successfully identified an opportunity, their goal is to form a partnership with a more established mining company to exploit the resource. You have been asked to research a potential opportunity and submit a report on your research that will assist management in decisions on where to apply their limited funding to maximise their return on investment.
Parts of your report could eventually form the basis of a proposal or prospectus inviting potential shareholders to invest in the project. The report should aim to inform the reader of the background of the opportunity, the scope of the research completed to date, the sources of information and the reliability of the sources.
Should the mining company accept the proposed partnership a more comprehensive prospectus and feasibility study will be developed to provide the mining company and potential investors with a clear picture of the risks and rewards associated with the project. Consequently, it is important that you provide, a well-designed, well researched, well referenced report.
Part 1 Introduction and Background on Lithium
You have had an initial meeting with your team. They have identified lithium as a suitable resource for you to research. They would like you to start work on a pre-feasibility study. You have been asked to initially develop some background knowledge of lithium as an economic resource. You have agreed to provide an introduction and background on lithium as a potential economic resource opportunity.
Research lithium as a mineral resource.
What is lithium used for?
What is the current price of lithium?
In what forms is lithium traded?
Which countries are the major producers of lithium?
Which countries are the largest importers of lithium?
What does it cost to produce lithium in its various forms?
What is expected to drive the future demand for this mineral?
What impact is the current pandemic likely to have on the future production and demand for lithium in Australia?
Ensure you use in-text citations and referencing of reliable sources of information.
Part 2 Haul Road Design
You have a second meeting with your team. As part of the pre-feasibility study for an open cut spodumene mining operation they decide they will need to optimise the haul truck selection process and they need a tool to readily determine the size of the haul road based on the size of the haul truck. You have been asked to develop a spreadsheet of dimensions for various haul trucks currently operating in the Australian mining industry. Also include maximum speeds for each haul truck from the haul truck specification sheet. The spreadsheet will determine key haul road dimensions for each haul truck.
Although Recognised Standards primarily apply to coal mining operations, in the case of haul road design they can be used quite effectively in any proposed mining operation.
Review Recognised Standard 19. Write a brief summary of the purpose of the standard.
In your own words describe the terms “run out”, “safety berm” and “super-elevation”.
In your spreadsheet include,
- Calculations of road widths for single lane and double lane haul roads.
- Safe Stopping Distances (SSD) calculated using the formulae and assumptions detailed in Recognised Standard 19. Clearly state the assumptions in your spreadsheet.
- Trapezoidal safety berm x, y and z dimensions and triangular safety berm x and y dimensions.
Explain the major hazards that can be avoided or controlled by good haul road design?
Explain how you would expect haul road design requirements to change for automated haul trucks?
