Conceptual Framework of Green Mining under Complexity Geometallurgy of Orebody - Case study of Indonesia Mining, Grasberg Orebody

Mineral exploitation under the green mining concept corresponds to targeting improvement in the area of engineering-design, technology use, along with the need for upgrades in the skill-competencies of their people. To be able to achieve this harmonious production under the green mining concept, a development framework shall happen around the organization to ensure all key stakeholders involved in the process are aligned under the same agreed path in executing the tasks. Orebody containing problematic characteristics of ores could possibly generate the risk-hazard of environmental quality degradation, respectively due to its presenting chemical composition of minerals inside the orebody itself. Mine planning has to be adjusted according to this potentially arising issue of negative impact in environmental areas, following the geochemical aspects which can further influence the metal recovery process at the mill as well as smelting and other refinery facilities. Determination of cut-off grade values shall correspond with the cost spending associated with the needs of mineral processing, meeting the concept of green mining and minimizing the negative impact on the surrounding environment. It shall happen in parallel with the pursuit of the best economic and social benefits. Sulphide mineral orebody, such as those containing some volume of pyrites, could generate acid mine drainage (AMD), which can harm the environment if not handled properly from the beginning. The case review of the Grasberg complex orebody provides a good lesson learned in the way of establishing activity processes to achieve the green mining concept. The integration of mine planning and ore processing with the objective of properly and effectively handling the pyrites would become a reference framework for future similar mining operations planning to extract minerals within the same type of sulphide orebody. The new technology implemented covers work around underground mine planning and robust engineering design in order to sequence the cave undercutting in the right manner. Putting in additional SAG and copper cleaner circuits allows for segregation and careful management of the pyrites. A harmonious mine production can be achieved by applying the concept of green mining operations, which further enables organizations to achieve a harmonious society and obtain benefits in all areas. This paper has been written aiming to adopt the best practices from the Grasberg orebody to build a good framework of green mining under the complex geometallurgy of the orebody.