By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand surface mining methods and selection criteria
• Apply best practices in drilling, blasting, and material handling
• Improve operational efficiency and production control
• Recognize key safety and environmental considerations
• Analyze and optimize surface mining operations

• Mine engineers and supervisors
• Production and operations managers
• Planning engineers
• HSE professionals working in mining
• Recent graduates in mining and geology

• Instructor‑led presentations
• Case studies from real surface mines
• Group discussions and problem‑solving sessions
• Practical calculations and planning exercises
• Short quizzes and daily reviews

Day 1 – Overview of Surface Mining

• Introduction to surface mining
• Types of surface mining (open pit, quarrying, strip mining)
• Mine life cycle and project stages
• Bench design and pit layout basics

Day 2 – Drilling and Blasting Operations

• Drilling equipment and patterns
• Explosives types and applications
• Blast design principles
• Blast performance evaluation

Day 3 – Loading and Hauling Systems

• Selection of loaders and haul trucks
• Fleet size and productivity calculations
• Haul road design and maintenance
• Fuel efficiency and cost control

Day 4 – Production & Operational Control

• Daily and monthly production planning
• Equipment availability and utilization
• Key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Common operational challenges and solutions

Day 5 – Safety, Environment & Optimization

• Surface mine safety hazards and controls
• Environmental impacts and mitigation
• Mine optimization concepts
• Course review and case study discussion

CDGA certificate will be issued to all attendees completing minimum of 80% of the total course duration.