Geotechnical and groundwater factors are fundamental to most mining projects and are essential Modifying Factors to be considered in the conversion of a Mineral Resource to an Ore Reserve and Life of Mine Plan.

Mine planning engineers are generally unable to produce an Ore Reserve estimate without close ongoing input from geotechnical and groundwater professionals throughout the development of the project.

All groups involved in this process need to fully understand what is required. The aim of this presentation is to assist all groups to provide more reliable estimates by, making all aware of the relevant technical issues, and by providing a better appreciation of the content and approaches that have proven successful.

This presentation highlights the accuracies and degrees of confidence that can be achieved in practice at the different project development stages resulting in an increased awareness of the risks.

The presentation will cover open pit, underground, waste dumps and spoil piles; tailings storage, coffer dams associated with temporary or permanent exclusion of large surface water bodies, major river or stream diversions; and water storages. Not all aspects are covered in detail, includes general guidance on good practice in a more holistic sense in terms of the understanding and approaches that have proven useful.