Theory teaching
In theory classes, students will learn about: - Introduction in: Surface Mining methods, characteristics and specifics of open pit mine design and planning, Legislation, regulations and standards, documentation, types of mining projects. - The basics of necessary information and plans: terrain model, maps and situational plans, Geological resources report, Geotechnical reports, Infrastructural and urban conditions, etc. Geological survey data analysis: spatial position of bore holes, laboratory samples/analysis and spatial definition of ore deposit, ore quality and resource classification. - Interpretation of the structural characteristics of the deposit: thickness of the overburden, orebody shape, roof and floor of stratigraphic deposits. Interpretation of cross section through the ore body. - Geometric elements of the open pit-mine: working and finishing slopes (width, height, berm, angle of slope), geometric elements of the haul roads and rumps (longitudinal and cross sections, width, inclination), depth of the excavation. - Determination of the final pit limits: influence factors of pit limits (cut-off grade, stripping ratio, other economic criterions), basic methods for definition of boundaries. - Calculation of mine ore and waste reserves and ore quality. - Open-pit mine opening and development: mine opening factors, basics of mining methods and excavations system selection, long term mine planning. - Waste dumps design: methods, basic factors, constructive elements, and recommendations.

Practical teaching
Students solve problems related to open-pit mine design and planning in form of individual mining project.

1. Božo Kolonja, Projektovanje površinskih kopova, RGF, 2005.
2. William Xustrulid and Mark Kuchta, Open pit mine planning and design, Taylor&Francis, 2006
3. H. L. Hartman, ed., SME Mining engineering handbook, AIME, New York, 1992. (SME)
4. B. A. Kennedy, ed., Surface mining, 2nd ed., AIME, New York, 1990. (SME)
5. Uputstva za rad – Surpac, Minex, Whittle, Xeras