Advisian and WorleyParsons completed an advanced feasibility study for the proposed underground expansion of the current operations.
The Situation
The Venetia Mine in Limpopo is De Beer’s largest mine in South Africa, and the biggest source of rough diamonds in the country. A new underground mine will be built beneath the current operating open pit and will extend the life of Venetia Mine from between 2018 and 2021 to beyond 2040.
Access to the underground mine will be via two vertical shafts and a decline tunnel from surface. The depth of the vertical shafts is 1040m below surface.
The project includes all necessary rock handling systems, ventilation systems, water handling systems and all required surface infrastructure to support underground mining.
Approach
Advisian and WorleyParsons completed an advanced feasibility study for the proposed underground expansion of the current operations.
We utilised 3D designs for the entire mine and infrastructure on the vertical shaft, leading to fully-integrated, intelligent models being created with a newly developed methodology suitable for vertical shaft and underground mine design.
