In 2013, the Miraflores field programme near Quinchia, Columbia, piggybacked the exploration drilling, gathering data on rock strengths and fracturing to determine variations in rock mass quality. The data was analysed to provide pit slope and bench design parameters, and pillar and stope dimensions for underground mine design. The programme included 2D and 3D numerical modelling of pit stability, as well as stress modelling of the underground mining sequence to assess the mine design. The 3D modelling was unique, as it required an assessment of the interaction between open-pit and underground mine while they are developed concurrently.
