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The trend in block caving in greenfield projects around the world is towards production rates of up to 160 000 tonnes/d. Following the replacement of discontinuous mining technologies by continuous systems in soft-rock applications, there are currently a range of promising developments that will lead to a paradigm shift in hard-rock mining to continuous operation, rising performance and safety benefits. Faster access to deposits and higher production rates ensure a faster return on investment, resulting in higher net present value. Highly automated continuous mining technologies reduce the number of active underground operating areas and therefore costs for staff, ventilation, air conditioning, infrastructure and underground bunker capacities amongst others. Optimised technology allows better caving controls and selective mining. The limits of current block cave mines are analysed and an approach pointed out for maximising production capacities in the future. The scenario opened up substitutes the major drawbacks of the current state-of-the-art block caving technologies with a comprehensive mining solution for block caving by 2020: continuous operations in both preparation and excavation areas, at highest performance and with excellent levels of safety., The trend in block caving in greenfield projects around the world is towards production rates of up to 160 000 tonnes/d. Following the replacement of discontinuous mining technologies by continuous systems in soft-rock applications, there are currently a range of promising developments that will lead to a paradigm shift in hard-rock mining to continuous operation, rising performance and safety benefits. Faster access to deposits and higher production rates ensure a faster return on investment, resulting in higher net present value. Highly automated continuous mining technologies reduce the number of active underground operating areas and therefore costs for staff, ventilation, air conditioning, infrastructure and underground bunker capacities amongst others. Optimised technology allows better caving controls and selective mining. The limits of current block cave mines are analysed and an approach pointed out for maximising production capacities in the future. The scenario opened up substitutes the major drawbacks of the current state-of-the-art block caving technologies with a comprehensive mining solution for block caving by 2020: continuous operations in both preparation and excavation areas, at highest performance and with excellent levels of safety.

The planning process involved the construction of a 3D model of the deposit and the design of the underground mine layout, including the main and entry roadways, working panels and mine infrastructure, with the focus on state of the art mining equipment and mining methods. The coal seams are 1-1.4 m thick and will be mined using single-seam mining with automated plough systems. The mine consists of 14 longwall panels with lengths between 2 000 and 4 000 m, each with a face length of 350 m. Due to the low mining depth roof bolts will be used as the sole roof support for all roadways., The planning process involved the construction of a 3D model of the deposit and the design of the underground mine layout, including the main and entry roadways, working panels and mine infrastructure, with the focus on state of the art mining equipment and mining methods. The coal seams are 1-1.4 m thick and will be mined using single-seam mining with automated plough systems. The mine consists of 14 longwall panels with lengths between 2 000 and 4 000 m, each with a face length of 350 m. Due to the low mining depth roof bolts will be used as the sole roof support for all roadways.

Production planning is described for the Beatrix coal concession including deposit modelling, access planning and mine and infrastructure development. Seams with a thickness of 1 to 1.4 m are worked on a single level using automated plough technology in 14 panels with lengths between 2 000 and 4 000 m and face lengths of up to 350 m. The relatively small depth allows the use of bolted supports as the only roadway support., Production planning is described for the Beatrix coal concession including deposit modelling, access planning and mine and infrastructure development. Seams with a thickness of 1 to 1.4 m are worked on a single level using automated plough technology in 14 panels with lengths between 2 000 and 4 000 m and face lengths of up to 350 m. The relatively small depth allows the use of bolted supports as the only roadway support.

A reassessment may be required of known coal deposits in Europe formerly classified as uneconomic, against the background of increasing long-term worldwide demand for energy and the growing dependence on imports of primary energy sources. An initial mining plan covering deposit modelling through layout planning to development and infrastructure already exists for the Beatrix coal concession and the results showed that, although production costs exceed total estimated world market prices for the coal, further investigations should be carried out. Studies are described which have been conducted by the Institute for Mining Science at the Rhenish-Westphalian Technological University in Aachen, Germany, in collaboration with the owner of the concession and Delft Technological University, which covered the planning of surface installations, mine development including shafts, main roadways and gate roads, and the use of pillar mining as a possible alternative to longwall mining., A reassessment may be required of known coal deposits in Europe formerly classified as uneconomic, against the background of increasing long-term worldwide demand for energy and the growing dependence on imports of primary energy sources. An initial mining plan covering deposit modelling through layout planning to development and infrastructure already exists for the Beatrix coal concession and the results showed that, although production costs exceed total estimated world market prices for the coal, further investigations should be carried out. Studies are described which have been conducted by the Institute for Mining Science at the Rhenish-Westphalian Technological University in Aachen, Germany, in collaboration with the owner of the concession and Delft Technological University, which covered the planning of surface installations, mine development including shafts, main roadways and gate roads, and the use of pillar mining as a possible alternative to longwall mining.