Manganese Mining Guide

open-pit manganese mining

Welcome to this article. As a critical raw material in modern industry, particularly in the fields of new energy batteries and steel metallurgy, the mining method of manganese directly impacts resource utilization efficiency, production costs, and environmental effects. This article systematically analyzes the two mainstream mining models for manganese ore – underground mining and open-pit mining – providing a comparative explanation of their process flows and core equipment, while also looking ahead to future trends in intelligence and sustainability. Through this article, you will gain a rapid understanding of the technical logic and development direction of manganese ore mining.

1. Pre-Mining Preparation

(1) Stripping Work

• First, the overburden (topsoil, rock, etc.) above the ore body is removed to expose it.This is the initial step for all open-pit mining.

(2) Development System

• Establish working benches (steps) leading to the pit and transport passages (such as ramps and access roads) to form a complete system for transporting ore and waste rock.

2. Core Mining Process Flow

The core of open-pit mining can be summarized as four continuous steps: "Drilling – Blasting – Loading – Hauling."

(1) Drilling and Blasting

• Purpose: To fragment hard ore and rock, making it loose and suitable for loading.

• Main Processes:

Down-The-Hole (DTH) Drill Rigs: Suitable for medium-hard to hard ore/rock (e.g., most carbonate manganese ores), this is the mainstream drilling method.

Rotary Drill Rigs (with Tricone Bits): Used in large-scale mines for very hard rock.

No Blasting Required: For soft oxide manganese ores or weathered ore layers, direct excavation by excavators is possible without the drilling and blasting stage.

(2) Loading Work

• Purpose: To load the fragmented ore or directly stripped material into haulage equipment.

Main Equipment:

• Hydraulic Excavators / Mechanical Power Shovels

The most commonly used loading equipment, offering flexibility and high efficiency.

• Front-End Loaders and Wheel Loaders

Suitable for situations with wider working faces and shorter haul distances within the pit.

(3) Hauling Work

• Purpose: To transport ore to the processing plant or stockpile, and waste rock to the dump site.

• Main Methods:

Truck Haulage (Off-Highway Dump Trucks)

Rail Transport

Conveyor Belt Transport

Combined Transport Systems

3. Waste Dumping

• Purpose: To systematically deposit stripped waste rock in designated dump areas.

• Equipment:

Off-Highway Dump Trucks

Bulldozers

Core Flow: Development → Preparation → Extraction → Backfilling/Stope Treatment

1. Development

(1) Purpose

• To establish permanent access from the surface to the ore body, forming a complete system for transport, ventilation, drainage, and movement of personnel and materials.

(2) Main Works

• Excavation of shafts, declines/ramps, adits, along with shaft stations, main crosscuts, and level haulage drifts.

2. Preparation

(1) Purpose

• Within a developed mining level, to prepare for extraction by driving a series of openings that divide the ore body into individual, extractable "stopes" or "panels."

(2) Main Works

• Driving level haulage drifts, raises, ore passes, drill drifts, etc.

3. Extraction

• Purpose: To break and extract ore in large quantities from the prepared stopes. This is the core production phase. The specific method is chosen based on the stability of the ore body and surrounding rock. Common methods for manganese ore include:

(1) Room and Pillar Mining

(2) Shrinkage Stoping

(3) Sublevel / Block Caving

(4) Cut and Fill Stoping

4. Backfilling and Stope Treatment

(1) Backfilling

(2) Stope Treatment

For voids created by methods like Room and Pillar or Shrinkage Stoping, treatment—based on back stability—may involve forced caving of the hanging wall, leaving permanent support pillars, or planned backfilling. This is to prevent large-scale ground pressure activity and ensure safe production.

5. Auxiliary Systems

(1) Mine Ventilation

• Provides fresh air flow and exhausts toxic gases and dust.

(2) Mine Drainage

• Removes underground water inflow.

(3) Mine Hoisting and Transport

• Moves ore to the surface and transports personnel, materials, and equipment to work sites.

(4) Power Supply

• Provides electricity, compressed air, etc.

(5) Safety Monitoring

• Real-time monitoring of ground pressure, gases, hydrology, etc.

1. Main Equipment for Manganese Underground Mining

(1) Drilling & Rock Drilling Equipment

• Drill Jumbos

• Leg-Air Feed Rock Drills

(2) Ore Mucking and Loading Equipment

• LHDs (Load-Haul-Dump vehicles)

• Vibrating Ore Feeders

(3) Horizontal Haulage Equipment

• Mine Trucks

• Locomotives and Mine Car Trains

(4) Vertical Hoisting Equipment

• Mine Hoists

• Hoisting Skips/Cages

• Conveyor Belts (for inclined/vertical transport)

(5) Ground Support & Safety Equipment

• Bolting Jumbos

• Concrete Shotcreting Machines

(6) Auxiliary Support Equipment

• Main & Auxiliary Ventilation Fans

• Mine Dewatering Pumps

2. Main Equipment for Manganese Open-Pit Mining

(1) Drilling & Blasting Equipment

• Rotary Drill Rigs

• DTH Drill Rigs

(2) Loading Equipment

• Hydraulic Excavators

• Mechanical Power Shovels

• Wheel Loaders

(3) Haulage Equipment

• Off-Highway Dump Trucks

• Semi-Continuous Mining Systems (e.g., crusher-conveyor systems)

(4) Auxiliary & Maintenance Equipment

• Bulldozers

• Motor Graders

• Water Trucks

• Large Crawler Cranes

Manganese ore mining is divided into two primary models: underground and open-pit. Underground mining relies on compact equipment like drill jumbos and LHDs operating within tunnels, whereas open-pit mining utilizes large-scale equipment such as rotary drills, massive power shovels, and haul trucks for bulk operations.

Looking ahead, manganese ore mining is poised to develop towards greater intelligence and environmental sustainability. The adoption of technologies like remote control, autonomous operation, and data analytics will enhance safety and efficiency. Concurrently, increased emphasis will be placed on ecological protection and resource recycling throughout the mining lifecycle.