Towards a creative design process in mining

After many significant advances in mining, including development of sophisticated methods for strata characterization and numerical modeling analyses, the engineering design process in mining strata control is as primitive as it was two decades ago. Yet, major advances in design methodologies have occurred in other branches of engineering. Is creative design in mining a myth only? Are we deluding ourselves when we talk about innovative mining design of today? Did you know that most design experts are often unaware of their own decision-making processes? This paper explores the methodology of creative engineering design as a new recognized discipline.