ASSIGNMENT 1 - INDIVIDUAL
NAFOLO PROJECT
Syama Gold Mine is a large-scale operation, comprising the established Syama Underground Mine,
the Tabakoroni Complex comprising an open pit, and recently discovered underground Ore Reserve,
along with several satellite oxide pits. Further exploration drilling at the Syama gold mine, in Mali,
has confirmed a "major" new gold discovery. The Nafolo prospect, located south of the current limit
of mining in Syama Underground Mine (see diagram below) has the potential to expand the total
mineral resource of the project. The proximity and location of the discovery shows potential for the
mineralization to be accessed early in Syama's underground mine life. - Resolute Mining, 2022
https://www.rml.com.au/syama/
Follow the link below, and study the Nafolo prospect, and provide a response for the questions below.
https://mapability.com.au/interactive/clients/rsg/syama/
1. Primary Access Options (Decline, Shaft)
a. List the options of accessing the Nofolo deposit. Describe where you would situate the
starting position and end position of each option.
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
2. Mining Method (Sublevel caving vs Sublevel Stoping)
a. The current Syama Underground Mine uses Sublevel caving. Sublevel stoping is
selected as the preferred method for the Nofolo deposit. What could be some of the
reasons for choosing this mining method?
b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
3. Development Mining
a. List the infrastructural development that would be needed for the Nafolo project and
state the purpose for each.
b. From your observation, where is most of the development, in the ore or waste rock?
What does this mean for the project?
c. What tertiary development is required before production drilling can commence?
4. Production Mining
a. Which type of drilling pattern(s) would be used at Syama and at Nafolo, respectively?
b. Recommend suitable drill rigs (development and stoping), LHD and truck that can be
used for the mining operation. Supply an image of each. (Hint: Search through OEM
supplier websites)
5. Primary Support
a. Should the mine select open stoping, what would be the primary support used? Give
examples.
b. Should the mine decide to use backfill, what types of backfill could the mine use and
where could it source the backfill material for each type?
c. What are the implications on the ore recovery for each of the options above?
6. Transportation (men, material, rock)
a. Trucks are used for the transportation of rock in the Syama Underground mine. What
would be the best way to get rock out of the mine for the Nafolo project?
b. What are the limitations to using trucks for rock transportation?
c. Discuss how automation could be introduced in the mine. What would be the valueadd and the challenges of introducing it.
Assessment Guidelines
This submission must be based on study material, research and discussion with relevant mining
specialists. Don’t provide generic answers to the questions. You should make specific reference to the
Nafolo project. Substantiate your answers with well thought out and researched responses.
A written report covering the above content should be typed in 1.5 line spacing using 11 pt. Times
New Roman text. With appropriate diagrams, tables etc. It is expected that the report will cover no
more than 15 written pages cover to cover (excluding appendices). Hand drawings to be included in
appendix. The Harvard system of referencing must be used. No late submissions will be accepted.
ADDENDUM A: MARKING RUBRIC
Item
Presentation
Completeness
Technical content
Criteria
Maximum marks
25
25
25
Learning experience
25
Maximum Possible
100
Excellent
25 - 21
Well edited reports
with very few
deficiencies. Evidence
of learning form
communication skills
and business writing
Good
20 - 16
Reasonable editing,
but with minor
deficiencies.
Adequate evidence of
layout and
professional
presentation
Most learning
outcomes and
assessment criteria
were addressed.
Average
15 - 11
Reasonable editing,
but with some
deficiencies. Minimal
evidence of layout
and professional
presentation
Technical aspects
covered satisfactorily,
using correct
terminology.
Evidence of additional
research and study
evident
Most of the technical
aspects reported;
most aspects covered,
some terminology
unclear.
It is clear that the
student had a good
learning experience
and demonstrates good
insights.
The portfolio shows
that the student have
acquired knowledge,
and can substantiate
responses.
All learning outcomes
and assessment criteria
were addressed.
Poor
10 - 6
Not well edited.
Unacceptable
mistakes. Pages not
numbered.
Inconsistent fonts.
Spelling and grammar
errors.
Very few learning
outcomes and
assessment criteria
were addressed.
Very Poor
5-0
Poorly written and
edited. Numerous
mistakes and errors.
Incomplete, poor
presentation
Most of the technical
aspects reported;
some aspects not
covered, some
terminology unclear.
Some technical
aspects addressed, but
insufficiently, with
little evidence that the
student grasped the
terminology.
Incomplete report
with very little
technical content.
The portfolio shows
that the student have
acquired knowledge,
but some shortages
are evident or
incomplete
submission.
Evidence of learning
is low.
Evidence of learning
is largely not
observed.
Not all learning
outcomes and
assessment criteria
were addressed.
Learning outcomes
and assessment
criteria were not
adequately addressed.
ADDENDUM B: SELF-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST (NOT FOR SUBMISSION)
FILL IN THE FORM BELOW TO EVALUATE YOUR ASSIGNMENT.
A. FORMAT: Does the assignment contain the following?
A cover page with the following details (mark with a tick): …..
Name: ………………………………………………. Student number: …………………………...
Module code: ………………………………………. Module Name: ……………..
Scheduled due date: ………………………………
A contents page with headings …………………………………………………………………Yes/No
A contents page with page numbers …………………………………………………………… Yes/No
Logical paragraphs with sub-headings ………………………………………………………… Yes/No
Have you typed/written clearly and legibly? ………………………………………………...… Yes/No
Have you presented a neat and tidy assignment? ………………………………………............ Yes/No
B. CONTENT: Does the content contain the following?
Did you refer to practical examples to substantiate your viewpoints? …………………... Yes/No
Did you integrate theory and practice to substantiate your answers? ………………….… Yes/No
Could you apply your knowledge instead of reiterating sources? ………...……………… Yes/No
Did you write enough to meet the mark allocations? ……………………………………... Yes/No
Did you refer to the marker’s rubric to help guide you on how to answer questions? ….… Yes/No
C. REFERENCING:
Correct in-text referencing ………….………………………………………………………… Yes/No
Number of sources consulted: …………………………………………..………………………………
Number of sources referenced in the reference list/bibliography: …………………………………..
You should have a reference list, where all in-text references and other sources used are
acknowledged correctly ................................................... Yes/No
BASED UPON YOUR ASSIGNMENT AND YOUR SELF-ASSESSMENT ABOVE, HOW
WOULD YOU RATE YOUR ASSIGNMENT?
- 50%
55%
65%
70%
75%
80% +