Paper format. National Exams, May 2016 — 09-MMP-A5, Surface Mining Methods and Design. Three hours, closed book; one hand-written, double-sided 8.5×11″ reference sheet and an approved Sharp or Casio calculator are permitted. Question 1 is compulsory (six parts, 40 marks); candidates then choose three of the five optional questions (2–6, 20 marks each) for a 100-mark paper — only the first three optional answers appearing in the answer book are graded. All six parts of Question 1 and all five optional questions are answered here, because this set is a study resource rather than an exam script.
Reference texts. The answers below are keyed to the works normally recommended for this syllabus code:
- W. Hustrulid, M. Kuchta & R. Martin, Open Pit Mine Planning and Design, 3rd ed. — block modelling and record addressing (Ch. 4–5), pit-limit optimization: floating cone and Lerchs–Grossmann (Ch. 12–13), truck–shovel systems, match factor and dispatch (Ch. 15–16), slope design (Ch. 14).
- SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 3rd ed. — open-pit design and materials-handling chapters; mine closure and reclamation planning.
- H. Lerchs & I. F. Grossmann, “Optimum Design of Open-Pit Mines,” CIM Bulletin (1965).
- Y. Lizotte, “The Economics of Computerized Open Pit Design,” International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 2:59–78 (1988) — the floating-cone procedure cited directly on this paper's Question 1.3.
- BC Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines — mine closure planning and reclamation security (Canadian regulatory context for Question 5).
