Published: 10 March 2025
AUSImm UNDERGROUND OPERATORS CONFERENCE 2025
AMC Consultants is proud to be sponsoring, exhibiting and presenting as the Silver Sponsor of the AusIMM Underground Operators Conference 2025 from Monday, April 7 to Wednesday, April 9 in Adelaide, Australia.
As a leading global mining consultancy, we are committed to advancing best practices in underground mining and look forward to engaging with industry professionals at this premier event.
Visit us at Booth 148
We invite attendees to visit
Booth 148 to connect with our team and learn more about how AMC Consultants delivers world-class solutions for underground mining operations.
The
2025 Underground Operators Conference will focus on the evolving landscape of underground mining, addressing the demand for more intelligent and cost-effective ore extraction methods.
Key discussions will cover:
- Innovations in deep mining technology
- Health and safety advancements
- Mine ventilation strategies
- Social license to operate
- The industry's pathway toward net-zero emissions
AMC at the Conference
Our team of underground mining specialists will be actively involved in presenting, exhibiting and engaging in conference activities. Meet the team at Booth 148.
Co-Authored Technical Paper
Session 2: Case Studies
Mine-scale subsidence at Cannington Mine
Presenter: Andrew Clarkson, Senior Project Geotechnical Engineer, South 32, Cannington Mine
Date: Monday April 7, 2025
Time: 10.50 AM - 11.10 AM
Abstract:
The Cannington mine is an underground silver-lead-zinc operation located in North-West Queensland, which has been in production since 1997. The ore is extracted using the longhole open stoping method. Backfilling usually incorporates paste to confine voids with a specific strength to facilitate adjacent stoping. The intent of this approach is to achieve 'full extraction' of the orebody, minimizing the incorporation of rock pillars in the mine design.
Feasibility studies for Cannington forecast that the mine could be prone to subsidence given the geometry and depth of the orebody. In Cannington’s mature phase of mine life, this hypothesis could be tested.
Measured changes on surface infrastructure provided the first indication of subsidence on the surface, however the location and scale of the subsidence went largely un-noticed until InSAR technology was introduced to monitor the site’s tailings storage facility.
Since then, the path to understand the scale and scope of mine subsidence has been a complex process that has evolved over several years. A combination of newer technologies and traditional methods has been employed to measure, correlate, and forecast movement. The outcome is a site-wide awareness of the phenomenon, with trigger action response plans established to manage the risk of mine-scale instability.
Authors:
- Andrew Clarkson, Senior Project Geotechnical Engineer, South32, Cannington Mine
- Christopher Hall, Geotechnical Superintendent, South32, Cannington Mine
- Mike Sandy, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
Technical Presentation
Session 10: Plenary and Sustainability
The impact of enhanced ESG outcomes on the optimal open pit to underground transition
Presenter:
Andrew Hall, Managing Director, AMC Consultants
Date: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 12.40 PM - 1.00 PM
Abstract:
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations have become a critical matter for the minerals industry. Today, ESG credentials permeate all aspects of minerals projects, influencing everything from initial project evaluation through to operations and mine closure, and overarching corporate governance objectives.
The decision to transition from open pit to underground operations is a multifaceted challenge, devoid of a one-size-fits all solution. Traditionally, this decision hinged predominantly on economic factors such as mining costs, and technical risks with open pit mines often perceived as offering greater certainty. However, underground mining typically encompasses many material advantages from an ESG perspective including a smaller environmental footprint, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and less societal disruption. Consequently, integrating ESG considerations into the evaluation of the optimal transition point from open pit to underground operations, may accelerate the transition, and lead to a smaller open pit and the earlier development of an underground mine.
This paper identifies the range of technical, technological, and socio-economic factors that influence the determination of the optimal transition point from open pit to underground mining. Further expanding on conventions through extensive practical experience, case studies and advanced modelling techniques, the authors demonstrate the substantial impact that achieving better ESG outcomes has on this critical juncture.
Authors:
- Andrew Hall, CEO, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
- David Lee, Underground Study Lead, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
- Mark Flanagan, Open Put Study Lead, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
- Tim Sharman, Mine Sustainability Lead, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
- Francois Grobler, Principal Mining Consultant, AMC Consultants Pty Ltd
Key Profiles
Andrew Hall
Managing Director
With more than 30 years of practical mining and project management experience, Andrew’s primary expertise covers strategy optimization, feasibility study assessment, technical due diligence, and business improvement in underground and open pit metalliferous mining projects. He has managed numerous feasibility studies and public reports world-wide and performed the role of Qualified/Competent Person for Mineral/Ore Reserves in accordance with the requirements of NI43-101 and JORC. Andrew is an AusIMM representative on the JORC Committee.