AMC Consultants Logo, mining experts
cave icon

CAVING

Sub-Level, Block And Panel Caving 



AMC's 150 world-leading mining consultants include 70 mining engineers and 20 geotechnical engineers. Combined, they leverage decades of expertise in geotechnical engineering and mining, including specific cave mining considerations.


Our team has extensive experience covering studies, operations and optimization, technical evaluation, and specialist investigations. Strong operational experience and knowledge ensure our studies adopt industry-leading practices and improvements.

Why block, sub-level and panel caving make for smarter mining

This commitment to industry-leading mining practices and outcomes is exemplified across our sub-level caving (SLC), block caving (BC), and panel caving (PC) work. With high-quality, near-surface orebody sources depleting, the industry is turning to underground mining methods. As a result, cave mining alternatives are increasingly economically attractive. However, success requires fastidious planning, management and the involvement of operators with exceptional orebody knowledge and analytical skills. 


…That’s where AMC comes in. 


AMC sub-level and block caving experience

AMC's exceptionally experienced mining engineers, geologists, geotechnical engineers, modellers and consultants have completed more than 500 projects for caving operations across the globe. We know what - and who - will deliver smart and successful sub-level and block caving operations and outcomes. 


Some of our consultants bring more than 40 years of global geotechnical engineering and caving experience to a project. Our skillset provides everything your mine needs from concept to feasibility, into construction, operation and finally through to closure. AMC’s world-best knowledge and practical application across deep, high-stress mining conditions include:

  • Scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
  • Geological and geotechnical investigation and modelling. 
  • Geotechnical data collection and logging. 
  • Rock mass characterization and modelling, including stress measurement and analysis.
  • Cavability and fragmentation analysis.
  • Material flow and draw control modelling.
  • Subsidence modelling and prediction.
  • Geotechnical instrumentation design. 
  • Ground support design. 
  • Simulation of ore and waste handling, including analysis of hoisting, conveying, and truck haulage.
  • Mineral Reserve estimates. 
  • Monitoring and analysis. 
  • Technical due diligence reviews. 
  • Development and review of caving specific principal hazard management practices, including air blast, inrush and ground stability. 
  • Confidential and impartial investigation into significant incidents. 
  • Closure considerations.

We provide geotechnical and mining strategies

AMC provides optimized geotechnical and mining strategies using the latest software innovations in the caving space. As part of our service, we deliver support from an established database of costs and performance parameters and tools for accurate operations cost estimation and strategy optimization, including:


  • MineOpSim, a user-friendly materials-handling simulation package for optimization of mine layout, fleet selection, de-bottle necking studies, and production risk identification.
  • MFlow, a gravity-induced material movement program analysis based on the cellular automata method. Keeps track of tonnage extracted and grades the various metal and rock types present, allowing better gravity flow process description, reducing dilution and maximizing extraction. 


Caving MFlow

Our recent caving consulting projects


AMC has provided substantial input into numerous high-profile caving projects, including:

  • Oyu Tolgoi Project, Mongolia
  • Carrapateena Project, South Australia
  • Ernest Henry SLC Project, Queensland
  • Argyle Diamond Mine, Block/Panel Caving Project, Western Australia
  • Ridgeway Gold Mine, SLC and Block Cave Project, New South Wales
  • New Afton Gold/Copper Mine, Canada
  • Ekati Diamond Mine, Canada
  • Kemess Gold/Copper Mine, Canada
  • Bingham Canyon, USA
  • Telfer Gold Mine, Western Australia
  • Mount Lyell Copper Mine, Tasmania
  • Cadia East Copper/Gold Underground Mine, New South Wales
  • Golpu Copper/Gold Mine, Papua New Guinea
  • Northparkes Mine, New South Wales
  • Palabora Mine, South Africa
  • Akwaaba Mine, Ghana
  • Freeport Mine, Indonesia
  • Perseverance Mine, Western Australia
  • Resolution Mine, USA
  • Syama underground project, Mali

Contact AMC Consultants today 

You have a remit to key stakeholders to make your cave mine an outstanding success. So, bring on board the right experts - let AMC help you unearth the smartest way to undertake your sub-level caving, block caving, or panel caving  project. 

Meet some of our experts

What our clients say about us

Lidya Madencilik San ve Tic AS Hod Maden Project

 "AMC has made valuable contributions to our Project team in successfully completing the critical design phases of the Hod Maden Project. AMC played an important role in getting the investment decision of the project by successfully performing resource modelling, geotechnical assessments, underground mine design, production planning, ventilation, dewatering, geometallurgy studies and economic analysis. In all processes, AMC provided full support at any time of need, as well as effective communication, problem-solving and result-oriented work in a team spirit."
- Hakan Hassoy, Project Coordinator

Ok Tedi Mining Limited

"In an unpredictable industry like mining, having a solid advisor such as AMC Consultants has been a significant asset to us at OK Tedi. AMC’s long history with our operation, deep knowledge and understanding of our challenges and opportunities, and breadth and depth of capabilities have consistently helped us achieve and even exceed our goals. We would not hesitate to recommend AMC to other operators looking for a trustworthy advisor for the life of their mine. For us, every dollar spent with AMC has more than paid for itself."
- Musje Werror, Managing Director and CEO

Northcott Capital Limited

"Working with the AMC Team for the first time, I was particularly impressed with the efficient management and coordination of the whole due diligence process, the clear identification and presentation of risks, risk mitigation and recommendations. We appreciate AMC’s help and support with the Engebø due diligence and look forward to working with the team again on other projects."
- Cyril Amadi, Managing Director

Eurasian Group

"Rob, James, Thank you so much for your excellent work performed on the project and high-quality, timely deliverables provided. It is always a great pleasure to work with you, gentlemen. Many, many thanks!"
- Ivan Kharitonov, Director of Internal Audit

Nyrstar Tennessee Mines

"I want to take this opportunity to thank-you personally Mort for excellent work and guidance during my team in Tennessee. It has truly been a pleasure working with you and your AMC partners. I was especially appreciative of your audits and sign-offs. I greatly appreciated your personal approach to auditing by mentoring and training. I am sure all the guys did as well. You have helped our staff grow and that is so critical to our industry."
- Steve Konieczki, MTS Manager

G-Resources

"AMC have successfully completed various projects for the Martabe Gold Mine over several years. In my area of responsibility these include Mineral Resource estimations, reconciliation reviews, due diligence style reviews and public reporting. AMC showed extraordinary levels of commitment to the success of these projects while maintaining their integrity and professional standards. I found AMC provided accurate and timely advice on both technical matters and the application of regulatory frameworks. I commend the individual consultants I dealt with at AMC and thoroughly recommend AMC’s services."
- Shawn Crispin, Chief Geologist

Iron Road Limited

"Iron Road Limited appointed AMC Consultants to review the mine design for its Central Eyre Iron Ore Project with a view to identify fatal flaws. The specific focus was on in-pit crushers, semi-mobile crushers, trucks, and excavators for the in-pit-crushing-and-conveying (IPCC) design. AMC also provided support to Iron Road in relation to CAPEX and OPEX estimates, and identified opportunities for improvement. AMC provided a quick and accurate assessment, identified a number of opportunities to enhance the design, and added value to the project while mitigating technical risk. AMC was able to deliver the project within the required timeframe and budget estimate, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and technical competence."
- Larry Ingle, General Manager

Kumba Iron Ore

"The Sishen mining team delivered a 15% increase in ore production for 2014. AMC’s expert knowledge in mine operations and planning was of great assistance in identifying significant opportunities that were ready for immediate implementation. AMC worked closely with the Sishen team in 2014 to assist in acting upon these opportunities. A highlight of AMC's work was its involvement in strategically re-designing the mine extraction sequencing. This work has greatly assisted the increase in 2014 ore production, while enabling production levels to be sustained over the remaining life-of-mine schedule. I would have no hesitation in recommending AMC’s services to any mine operator seeking real value delivery in these challenging market conditions."
- Theunis Otto, Head of Mining

Mongolian Mining Corporation

"AMC have been involved on a regular basis at UHG since 2010 and have been instrumental in training and mentoring local geotechnical staff with the expertise necessary to manage the challenging structural conditions on site. This has contributed substantially to the safety of our operation, with Mine Operations and Technical Services confident in the monitoring and controls in place."
- Sam Bowles, Chief Operating Officer

Copper Division of Anglo American in Santiago, Chile

"I had twice the opportunity to work with the AMC Consultants performing technical audits of our mining operations in Chile. It is of great advantage to Anglo American that The AMC Mining Consultants Ltd. has a wide range of mining expertise from exploration and evaluation of mineral resources through mine planning, mining schedule optimization to geotechnical assessments in both operational environments: open cast and underground mining. Indeed, the AMC group met our expectations carrying out its work diligently, with enthusiasm and technical excellence. In the execution of works the company AMC was exceeding our expectation proposing solutions and assessing us with eagerness and commitment. The objectives and deadlines were always achieved."
- Tomasz Wawruch, Mineral Resources Manager

Newcrest Mining Limited

"AMC Consultants has conducted independent Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Reviews for Newcrest Mining Limited since 2006. AMCs principal role is to provide confidence to the Newcrest board with respect to Newcrest’s public reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and compliance with reporting codes. In addition AMC provides management reports that comment on areas of improvement that could be addressed by Newcrest in estimating Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Newcrest considers that AMC has conducted these reviews over a long period of time professionally and diligently and Newcrest considers that AMC contributes very positively to its corporate governance and its high professional standards."
- Colin Moorhead, Executive General Manager Minerals

Superintendent Sukari Gold mines

"We were seeking a consulting housing firm that could deliver geotechnical advice in a more efficient and economical way. AMC Consultants came onboard after a competitive bid and conducted a peer review to validate the suitability of existing risk mitigation strategies for our current open-pit and underground resources and reserves. Additionally, they meticulously reviewed Sukari’s NI 43-101 geotechnical aspects for competent person sign-off. AMC took the time to understand Sukari’s historical operations and quickly immersed themselves in the work done by our site team. Their flexibility allowed for an essential site visit, and they delivered necessary geotechnical reports promptly. Throughout the process, they remained open to discussions and tailored their approach to meet our requirements."
- Gabriel Chiti Chilala-Geotechnical Superintendent Sukari Gold mines
More testimonials

Related insights

Base Metals Cut-Off Grade Strategy case study

30 Oct, 2023
AMC’s Hill of Value® process helps our client's Canada base metal operations unlock near-term mining opportunities and more than US$1.0B in value by adopting a new cut-off grade strategy.

Graphite and AMC

18 May, 2023
In recent years, many companies have joined the race to develop the next graphite mine. With the rapid development of alternative energy sources for many applications, improved batteries with increased storage capacity have become critical to world growth. As a result, the lithium, cadmium, nickel, vanadium, and graphite markets have seen an increase in demand; especially high purity, large sized graphite flakes, which are able to attract a significant premium in the current market.

RZ Resources Mineral Sands Copi DFS case study

By Camila Rivera • 25 Apr, 2023
Project achievements: Undertaking the mining component of the DFS, LG pit optimization, Strategic mine plans, Pit designs, Identified the wet overburden surface to improve cashflow and NPV by selectively mining overburden with dredges above the ore, Tactical mine plan with material balance, destination and haulage.
Show More
Share by: