Mining Management: Mining Life Cycle and Project Information

There are different stages in the mining life cycle and project information focuses on explaining what stage a mine is at in the life cycle.

The major stages of the mining life cycle are:

• Exporation and feasibility stage
• Planing and construction stage
• Operations stage
• Closure stage

Each of the above life cycle stages can be broken down into smaller life cycle stages. 

SNL Metals and Mining

Covers mining properties and companies, covering a wide range of commodities. Supports exploration of ongoing activities including initial exploration, project developments and commodity production. 

To gain access to this resource, please contact bronfref@yorku.ca and provide your name, status (e.g., student, faculty, staff), York University student number or employee ID and York University email address. This database is restricted to current York University community members and can be used on and off-campus; however, users must sign-in to the database using their unique login. 

• An excellent resource for finding information on the various mining life cycle phases of specific projects.
• SNL  breaks down the life cycle phases into 3 top-level development stages:
  • Early-stage (includes grassroots, exploration, target outline)
  • Late-stage (includes reserves development, feasibility)
  • Mine-stage (preproduction, production, operating, satelite, expansion, limited production, residual production, closed)
• SNL also assigns mining projects activity statuses:
  • active; temporarily on hold; on hold awaiting financing; on hold awaiting higher commodity prices; under litigation; inactive; care & maintenance

When logged in to SNL Metals and Mining, search for a company using the search bar at the top, or by using the company option under the Screener tab (top of the screen) to find companies based on criteria like geography, industry classification etc. With a company's profile loaded, select the "Assets and Operations" section on the left hand side and then select "Metals & Mining Properties." Each property will show the development stage and activity status that applies.  Select specific properties in your results list for more detailed information such as location, mine type, drill results, work history, discoveries and milestones, capital costs and more (not all information will be available depending on project's development stage).

Environment Canada. (2013, September 23). Mine Life Cycle Activities - Figure 2. Retrieved from https://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=CBE3CD59-1&offset=4