The NioCorp Developments Elk Creek Project: A Shaft Design Case Study
Chris Dougherty, Nordmin Group of Companies
The Elk Creek Project will become Nebraska’s first underground metals mine, built to access the Elk Creek Niobium/Scandium deposit. The development of the design for this facility required the review of challenging hydrogeological conditions, mine production requirements, demanding CAPEX limitations and tight schedules. Through an extensive review of various alternatives to satisfy these many constraints, the Nordmin Group was able to define a concept and design that addressed risks to the project, met production, cost and schedule constraints and improved constructability. This paper will review the many challenges faced and solutions arrived at in a demonstration of a methodology used in designing a modern shaft and hoisting plant.
Mots Clés:
Shaft Design, hoisting, shaft freezing
