Technical-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Mechanized Travertine Dimension Stone Mining Project

This study presents an integrated geological, geomechanical, and economic assessment of a dimension stone carbonate deposit to evaluate its viability for sustainable surface mining. The methodology combines detailed field investigations, systematic core drilling, and comprehensive laboratory testing to characterize the deposit's geometry, structural features, and intrinsic rock properties. Resource estimation utilizing geostatistical techniques defined the mineable reserve, while subsequent mine planning focused on selective extraction to maximize recovery. A detailed economic analysis, incorporating capital and operating expenditures alongside conservative revenue forecasts (with all financial values expressed in United States Dollars, USD), was conducted within a framework of environmental and safety constraints. The results conclusively establish the deposit's technical mineability and commercial profitability. A critical quantitative outcome is the achievement of a block recovery rate exceeding ۴۲%, a figure that demonstrates the effectiveness of the integrated, selective quarrying methodology in minimizing geological waste and optimizing resource utilization. This metric, alongside a robust financial model yielding a Net Present Value (NPV) exceeding ۸۵ million USD and an economic valuation based on a market price of ۱۲۰ USD per cubic meter, confirms the operational and economic viability of the proposed design. The study confirms that the deposit can support a sustainable, long-life industrial operation, with the high recovery rate directly substantiating the technical effectiveness and economic merit of the applied scientific approach.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dimension stone ، Travertine ، Resource estimation ، Open-pit mining ، Economic evaluation