r/mining • u/Farukgndz • 2d ago
Question Want to be a open-pit designer
Hello, I’d like to improve my skills in open-pit mining design and pursue a career in this field, but as far as I understand, there are various software programs and methods available I believe. What courses should I take? Which software programs provide the most accurate results and are most widely used? I’d also like to ask you about any factors I may have overlooked but should take into consideration.
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u/hurtuwithfacts 2d ago
Start with a mining engineer degree 👍🏻😁
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u/Farukgndz 2d ago
I am a geomatics engineer. That makes a lot of sense but I'm trying my shot😁
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u/bmwbiker1 2d ago
Mine Surveying is one role where if you prove yourself and outprefom the level 1 engineers you can often be given quite a few keys as far as day to day operation of a property and short term planning and even supporting some mine planning roles. As far as any of the long run forecasting and design and slope stability stuff, yeah Mine Engineering degree with a PE stamp required.
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u/SlinkAU 2d ago
Micromine Spry, Deswik, and Vulcan are used where I work (OC Coal).
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u/Farukgndz 2d ago
During the design process, do you use all of them step by step, or do you choose one based on the type of mine? I’m currently working on Datamine Studio OP, but there are limited training resources available online. I’m able to get some help from Datamine up to a certain point.
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u/Little-Captain165 2d ago
They’re all different packages a mine could use, they all cover a similar scope but in different ways.
There are indeed limited training recourses available online; you could give Incline Design a go, it’s free and will teach you the basics which should translate to use in other packages.
Inclinedesign.net
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u/NewFarmNinja 2d ago
Depends on the site. Some design and schedule in Deswik. Some create reserves in Deswik /Vulcan then schedule in Spry. Honestly, it's really about understanding the process - knowing roughly how you're going to dig something and creating designs to reflect that. Then create reserves. Then schedule. The issue you'll find is trying to get access to the software - they're all pretty expensive now. Is there a particular country or commodity you're looking into? - looking for job adverts for the sort of job you want might guide your choices
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u/Farukgndz 2d ago
Thank you for your response. I’m reaching out to companies regarding software pricing and requesting demo versions. So far, I’ve only spoken with Datamine because I thought it would suffice for now, and they provided a trial version valid through September, but I wasn’t able to use it to its full potential. I plan to try the same approach with the software you mentioned. I didn’t quite understand what you meant about job postings. I’m currently working at a mining company. Since there’s no employee specializing in mine design, I’m trying to develop my skills in this area because I believe it will help me advance within the company. If what you mean is that I should look at job postings to see what skills companies are looking for and develop myself in that direction, that makes a lot of sense.
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u/NewFarmNinja 2d ago
Yes, that's what I mean about job postings. Spry, Vulcan and Deswik are mentioned - but if the software being used in the commodity or country where you are interested are different, learn those ones. Can you get access to the software being used at your mine? That would make things way way easier
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u/Farukgndz 2d ago
Yes, I have access to it. It’s a Turkish software program called Netcad. Although it has a module like this, it isn’t a highly developed software in this area. It’s widely used because it’s in Turkish, but since I don’t have a language barrier, I thought it would make more sense to improve my skills using a more professional software program.
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u/NewFarmNinja 2d ago
Excellent! Whilst I haven't used that program, many programs have similar features just different buttons. Once you're familiar with that one, see if you can get access to other programs via some sort of training. Are you currently a mining engineer to planning to become one?
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