Mining Engineering (MN) 2012 GATE Paper with solution | GATE Past Year Papers for Practice (All Branches)

 Page 1


 
GATE 2012 Online Examination  
MN : MINING ENGINEERING 
Duration: Three Hours                          Maximum Marks: 100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
 
1. The computer allotted to you at the examination center runs a specialized software that permits only 
one answer to be selected for multiple choice questions using a mouse. Your answers shall be updated 
and saved on a server periodically and at the end of the examination.  
 
2. To login, enter your Registration Number and password provided in the envelope. Go through the 
symbols used in the test and understand the meaning before you start the examination. You can view 
all questions by clicking on the View All Questions button in the screen after the start of the 
examination. 
 
3. To answer a question, select the question using the selection panel on the screen and choose the 
correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. To change the answer, just click on 
another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, click on the button 
next to the selected option. 
 
 
4. The examination will automatically stop at the end of 3 hours. 
 
5. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Except questions Q.26 – Q.30, all the other 
questions are of multiple choice type with only one correct answer. Questions Q.26 - Q.30 require a 
numerical answer, and a number should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor.   
 
6. Questions Q.1 – Q.25 carry 1 mark each. Questions Q.26 – Q.55 carry 2 marks each. The 2 marks 
questions include two pairs of common data questions and two pairs of linked answer questions. The 
answer to the second question of the linked answer questions depends on the answer to the first 
question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then 
the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
 
7. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1 mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2 marks each.   
 
8. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark and wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks. 
There is no negative marking for questions of numerical answer type, i.e., for Q.26 – Q.30.  For all 1 
mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark 
will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the case of the linked answer question pair, 
there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question and no negative marks for 
wrong answer to the second question.  
 
9. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. Do the 
rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
10. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
DECLARATION: I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
Registration Number 
MN 
      
 
 
Name  
Signature  
 
Verified that the above entries are correct. 
                                    Invigilator’s signature: 
 
Page 2


 
GATE 2012 Online Examination  
MN : MINING ENGINEERING 
Duration: Three Hours                          Maximum Marks: 100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
 
1. The computer allotted to you at the examination center runs a specialized software that permits only 
one answer to be selected for multiple choice questions using a mouse. Your answers shall be updated 
and saved on a server periodically and at the end of the examination.  
 
2. To login, enter your Registration Number and password provided in the envelope. Go through the 
symbols used in the test and understand the meaning before you start the examination. You can view 
all questions by clicking on the View All Questions button in the screen after the start of the 
examination. 
 
3. To answer a question, select the question using the selection panel on the screen and choose the 
correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. To change the answer, just click on 
another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, click on the button 
next to the selected option. 
 
 
4. The examination will automatically stop at the end of 3 hours. 
 
5. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Except questions Q.26 – Q.30, all the other 
questions are of multiple choice type with only one correct answer. Questions Q.26 - Q.30 require a 
numerical answer, and a number should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor.   
 
6. Questions Q.1 – Q.25 carry 1 mark each. Questions Q.26 – Q.55 carry 2 marks each. The 2 marks 
questions include two pairs of common data questions and two pairs of linked answer questions. The 
answer to the second question of the linked answer questions depends on the answer to the first 
question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then 
the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
 
7. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1 mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2 marks each.   
 
8. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark and wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks. 
There is no negative marking for questions of numerical answer type, i.e., for Q.26 – Q.30.  For all 1 
mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark 
will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the case of the linked answer question pair, 
there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question and no negative marks for 
wrong answer to the second question.  
 
9. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. Do the 
rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
10. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
DECLARATION: I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
Registration Number 
MN 
      
 
 
Name  
Signature  
 
Verified that the above entries are correct. 
                                    Invigilator’s signature: 
 
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
A 30 m steel tape having an area of cross-section of 5 x 10
-6
 m
2
 is standardized at 20
0
C, supported 
under a tension of 5.45 N. It is used to measure a horizontal distance of 81.15 m under an applied 
tension of 9.09 N. The error, due to incorrect pulling arrangement in this observation, in m is  
(E
steel 
= 200 GPa) 
Q.1 
(A) 0.148 (B) 0.295 (C) 1.820  (D) 3.640  
 
The coefficient of variation of a dataset is measured by  
(A) 
mean
standard deviation
  (B) 
mean
variance
 
Q.2 
(C) 
standard deviation
mean
 (D) 
variance
mean
 
 
The value of ()
1
1
0
sin cos x dx
-
?
  is 
Q.3 
(A) 
() 1
2
p -
 (B) 
() 1
2
p +
  (C)  
( ) 21
2
p +
 (D)  
() 21
2
p -
 
 
Assuming and sin(1) 0.841 = sin(3) 0.141 = , the Lagrangian linear interpolating polynomial, for 
the function () sin() fx x = defined on the interval [1, 3] and passing through the end points of the 
interval, is 
(A)  0.35 1.19 x -+
(B)  3.05 11.92 x -+
(C)  35.00 119.10 x -+
Q.4 
(D)  40.50 219.19 x -+
 
If Poisson’s ratio of a rock sample is 0.25, then the relationship among the modulus of elasticity 
(E), modulus of rigidity (G) and bulk modulus (K) is  
Q.5 
(A)  E = K = G (B) E > G  > K (C)  E = G  > K (D)   E > K > G
 
The 2
nd
 order differential equation having a solution (/ ) yAx B = + , where A and B are constants, 
is 
(A) 
2
2
0
dy dy
dydx x dx
+= 
(B) 
2
2
2
0
dy dy
xdx dx
+= 
(C) 
2
2
2
2
0
dy dy
dx x dx
??
+=
??
??
 
Q.6 
(D) 
22
2
0
dy dy dy
dydx dx dx
++ = 
 
A cylindrical rock specimen is uniaxially loaded under compression and fails at 50 MPa. The 
fracture plane is inclined at an angle of 45
0
 with the axial direction. The normal and shear stresses 
respectively on the failure plane in MPa are 
Q.7 
(A) 50, 50 (B) 0, 50 (C)  50, 0 (D)  25, 25 
MN 2/14
Page 3


 
GATE 2012 Online Examination  
MN : MINING ENGINEERING 
Duration: Three Hours                          Maximum Marks: 100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
 
1. The computer allotted to you at the examination center runs a specialized software that permits only 
one answer to be selected for multiple choice questions using a mouse. Your answers shall be updated 
and saved on a server periodically and at the end of the examination.  
 
2. To login, enter your Registration Number and password provided in the envelope. Go through the 
symbols used in the test and understand the meaning before you start the examination. You can view 
all questions by clicking on the View All Questions button in the screen after the start of the 
examination. 
 
3. To answer a question, select the question using the selection panel on the screen and choose the 
correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. To change the answer, just click on 
another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, click on the button 
next to the selected option. 
 
 
4. The examination will automatically stop at the end of 3 hours. 
 
5. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Except questions Q.26 – Q.30, all the other 
questions are of multiple choice type with only one correct answer. Questions Q.26 - Q.30 require a 
numerical answer, and a number should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor.   
 
6. Questions Q.1 – Q.25 carry 1 mark each. Questions Q.26 – Q.55 carry 2 marks each. The 2 marks 
questions include two pairs of common data questions and two pairs of linked answer questions. The 
answer to the second question of the linked answer questions depends on the answer to the first 
question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then 
the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
 
7. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1 mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2 marks each.   
 
8. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark and wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks. 
There is no negative marking for questions of numerical answer type, i.e., for Q.26 – Q.30.  For all 1 
mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark 
will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the case of the linked answer question pair, 
there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question and no negative marks for 
wrong answer to the second question.  
 
9. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. Do the 
rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
10. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
DECLARATION: I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
Registration Number 
MN 
      
 
 
Name  
Signature  
 
Verified that the above entries are correct. 
                                    Invigilator’s signature: 
 
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
A 30 m steel tape having an area of cross-section of 5 x 10
-6
 m
2
 is standardized at 20
0
C, supported 
under a tension of 5.45 N. It is used to measure a horizontal distance of 81.15 m under an applied 
tension of 9.09 N. The error, due to incorrect pulling arrangement in this observation, in m is  
(E
steel 
= 200 GPa) 
Q.1 
(A) 0.148 (B) 0.295 (C) 1.820  (D) 3.640  
 
The coefficient of variation of a dataset is measured by  
(A) 
mean
standard deviation
  (B) 
mean
variance
 
Q.2 
(C) 
standard deviation
mean
 (D) 
variance
mean
 
 
The value of ()
1
1
0
sin cos x dx
-
?
  is 
Q.3 
(A) 
() 1
2
p -
 (B) 
() 1
2
p +
  (C)  
( ) 21
2
p +
 (D)  
() 21
2
p -
 
 
Assuming and sin(1) 0.841 = sin(3) 0.141 = , the Lagrangian linear interpolating polynomial, for 
the function () sin() fx x = defined on the interval [1, 3] and passing through the end points of the 
interval, is 
(A)  0.35 1.19 x -+
(B)  3.05 11.92 x -+
(C)  35.00 119.10 x -+
Q.4 
(D)  40.50 219.19 x -+
 
If Poisson’s ratio of a rock sample is 0.25, then the relationship among the modulus of elasticity 
(E), modulus of rigidity (G) and bulk modulus (K) is  
Q.5 
(A)  E = K = G (B) E > G  > K (C)  E = G  > K (D)   E > K > G
 
The 2
nd
 order differential equation having a solution (/ ) yAx B = + , where A and B are constants, 
is 
(A) 
2
2
0
dy dy
dydx x dx
+= 
(B) 
2
2
2
0
dy dy
xdx dx
+= 
(C) 
2
2
2
2
0
dy dy
dx x dx
??
+=
??
??
 
Q.6 
(D) 
22
2
0
dy dy dy
dydx dx dx
++ = 
 
A cylindrical rock specimen is uniaxially loaded under compression and fails at 50 MPa. The 
fracture plane is inclined at an angle of 45
0
 with the axial direction. The normal and shear stresses 
respectively on the failure plane in MPa are 
Q.7 
(A) 50, 50 (B) 0, 50 (C)  50, 0 (D)  25, 25 
MN 2/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
 
Q.8 A uniformly distributed load of 20 kN/m is acting on a 15 m long cantilever beam AB of area of 
cross section 2 m x 2 m, as shown in the figure. The beam is fixed at point A. The modulus of 
elasticity of the material is  1.0 GPa. 
 
2m 
15m
2m 
20 kN/m
AB 
 
The maximum vertical displacement of the beam in m is 
(A) 0.004 (B) 0.020 (C)  0.071 (D)  0.190 
 
Q.9 In a surface mine, sound pressure level at a location generated by operation of a dozer and a drill 
respectively are 80 dBA and 60 dBA, when operated independently. The sound pressure generated 
by the dozer compared to the drill is higher by a factor of  
(A) 10 (B) 20 (C)  100 (D)  200 
 
Q.10 As per the Indian Electricity Rules 1956, the maximum permissible length of a flexible cable used 
with an electric rope shovel in m is  
(A) 100 (B) 200 (C)  300 (D) 500  
 
Q.11 The equipment that is NOT used in hard rock metal mining drivage is  
(A) road header (B) drill jumbo 
(C) jack hammer (D) dint header 
 
Q.12 The roof bolt that follows the principle of point anchorage is  
(A) expansion shell bolt (B) full column grouted bolt 
(C) split set bolt (D) swellex bolt 
 
Q.13 Equipment used in mining of placer deposits is 
(A) auger (B) wagon drill (C)  rope saw (D)  riffle box 
 
Q.14 A dump truck powered by 350 kW engine is running at a speed of 35 km/h. Considering the 
transmission efficiency of the truck as 85%, the rim pull of the truck in kN is 
(A) 21 (B) 31 (C)  41 (D)  51 
 
Q.15 Nystagmus is a miner’s disease associated with 
(A) lever (B) lung (C)  eye (D)  stomach 
 
Q.16 Apart from mining of coal, the longwall mining method has been practiced for mining the deposits 
of   
(A) copper (B) lead and zinc (C)  manganese (D)  pyrite and phosphate 
 
Q.17 The three segments, whose synchronous functioning is essential for GPS operations, are 
(A) space, control and user (B) signal, control and user 
(C) space, control and geo-registration (D) signal, control and geo-registration 
 
 
MN 3/14
Page 4


 
GATE 2012 Online Examination  
MN : MINING ENGINEERING 
Duration: Three Hours                          Maximum Marks: 100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
 
1. The computer allotted to you at the examination center runs a specialized software that permits only 
one answer to be selected for multiple choice questions using a mouse. Your answers shall be updated 
and saved on a server periodically and at the end of the examination.  
 
2. To login, enter your Registration Number and password provided in the envelope. Go through the 
symbols used in the test and understand the meaning before you start the examination. You can view 
all questions by clicking on the View All Questions button in the screen after the start of the 
examination. 
 
3. To answer a question, select the question using the selection panel on the screen and choose the 
correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. To change the answer, just click on 
another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, click on the button 
next to the selected option. 
 
 
4. The examination will automatically stop at the end of 3 hours. 
 
5. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Except questions Q.26 – Q.30, all the other 
questions are of multiple choice type with only one correct answer. Questions Q.26 - Q.30 require a 
numerical answer, and a number should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor.   
 
6. Questions Q.1 – Q.25 carry 1 mark each. Questions Q.26 – Q.55 carry 2 marks each. The 2 marks 
questions include two pairs of common data questions and two pairs of linked answer questions. The 
answer to the second question of the linked answer questions depends on the answer to the first 
question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then 
the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
 
7. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1 mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2 marks each.   
 
8. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark and wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks. 
There is no negative marking for questions of numerical answer type, i.e., for Q.26 – Q.30.  For all 1 
mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark 
will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the case of the linked answer question pair, 
there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question and no negative marks for 
wrong answer to the second question.  
 
9. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. Do the 
rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
10. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
DECLARATION: I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
Registration Number 
MN 
      
 
 
Name  
Signature  
 
Verified that the above entries are correct. 
                                    Invigilator’s signature: 
 
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
A 30 m steel tape having an area of cross-section of 5 x 10
-6
 m
2
 is standardized at 20
0
C, supported 
under a tension of 5.45 N. It is used to measure a horizontal distance of 81.15 m under an applied 
tension of 9.09 N. The error, due to incorrect pulling arrangement in this observation, in m is  
(E
steel 
= 200 GPa) 
Q.1 
(A) 0.148 (B) 0.295 (C) 1.820  (D) 3.640  
 
The coefficient of variation of a dataset is measured by  
(A) 
mean
standard deviation
  (B) 
mean
variance
 
Q.2 
(C) 
standard deviation
mean
 (D) 
variance
mean
 
 
The value of ()
1
1
0
sin cos x dx
-
?
  is 
Q.3 
(A) 
() 1
2
p -
 (B) 
() 1
2
p +
  (C)  
( ) 21
2
p +
 (D)  
() 21
2
p -
 
 
Assuming and sin(1) 0.841 = sin(3) 0.141 = , the Lagrangian linear interpolating polynomial, for 
the function () sin() fx x = defined on the interval [1, 3] and passing through the end points of the 
interval, is 
(A)  0.35 1.19 x -+
(B)  3.05 11.92 x -+
(C)  35.00 119.10 x -+
Q.4 
(D)  40.50 219.19 x -+
 
If Poisson’s ratio of a rock sample is 0.25, then the relationship among the modulus of elasticity 
(E), modulus of rigidity (G) and bulk modulus (K) is  
Q.5 
(A)  E = K = G (B) E > G  > K (C)  E = G  > K (D)   E > K > G
 
The 2
nd
 order differential equation having a solution (/ ) yAx B = + , where A and B are constants, 
is 
(A) 
2
2
0
dy dy
dydx x dx
+= 
(B) 
2
2
2
0
dy dy
xdx dx
+= 
(C) 
2
2
2
2
0
dy dy
dx x dx
??
+=
??
??
 
Q.6 
(D) 
22
2
0
dy dy dy
dydx dx dx
++ = 
 
A cylindrical rock specimen is uniaxially loaded under compression and fails at 50 MPa. The 
fracture plane is inclined at an angle of 45
0
 with the axial direction. The normal and shear stresses 
respectively on the failure plane in MPa are 
Q.7 
(A) 50, 50 (B) 0, 50 (C)  50, 0 (D)  25, 25 
MN 2/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
 
Q.8 A uniformly distributed load of 20 kN/m is acting on a 15 m long cantilever beam AB of area of 
cross section 2 m x 2 m, as shown in the figure. The beam is fixed at point A. The modulus of 
elasticity of the material is  1.0 GPa. 
 
2m 
15m
2m 
20 kN/m
AB 
 
The maximum vertical displacement of the beam in m is 
(A) 0.004 (B) 0.020 (C)  0.071 (D)  0.190 
 
Q.9 In a surface mine, sound pressure level at a location generated by operation of a dozer and a drill 
respectively are 80 dBA and 60 dBA, when operated independently. The sound pressure generated 
by the dozer compared to the drill is higher by a factor of  
(A) 10 (B) 20 (C)  100 (D)  200 
 
Q.10 As per the Indian Electricity Rules 1956, the maximum permissible length of a flexible cable used 
with an electric rope shovel in m is  
(A) 100 (B) 200 (C)  300 (D) 500  
 
Q.11 The equipment that is NOT used in hard rock metal mining drivage is  
(A) road header (B) drill jumbo 
(C) jack hammer (D) dint header 
 
Q.12 The roof bolt that follows the principle of point anchorage is  
(A) expansion shell bolt (B) full column grouted bolt 
(C) split set bolt (D) swellex bolt 
 
Q.13 Equipment used in mining of placer deposits is 
(A) auger (B) wagon drill (C)  rope saw (D)  riffle box 
 
Q.14 A dump truck powered by 350 kW engine is running at a speed of 35 km/h. Considering the 
transmission efficiency of the truck as 85%, the rim pull of the truck in kN is 
(A) 21 (B) 31 (C)  41 (D)  51 
 
Q.15 Nystagmus is a miner’s disease associated with 
(A) lever (B) lung (C)  eye (D)  stomach 
 
Q.16 Apart from mining of coal, the longwall mining method has been practiced for mining the deposits 
of   
(A) copper (B) lead and zinc (C)  manganese (D)  pyrite and phosphate 
 
Q.17 The three segments, whose synchronous functioning is essential for GPS operations, are 
(A) space, control and user (B) signal, control and user 
(C) space, control and geo-registration (D) signal, control and geo-registration 
 
 
MN 3/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q.18 When a double ended ranging drum shearer cuts coal in a longwall face, 
(A) both the drums rotate in the same direction keeping the front drum up and the rear drum down 
(B) both the drums rotate in the opposite direction keeping the front drum up and the rear drum 
down 
(C) both the drums rotate in the opposite direction keeping the front drum down and the rear drum 
up 
(D) both the drums rotate in the same direction keeping the front drum down and the rear drum up 
 
The match the following  Q.19 
 Mine gas Principal constituent 
P Stink damp 1 CO 
Q White damp 2 H
2
S 
R Black damp 3 CH
4
 
S Fire damp 4 CO
2
 
 
 
(A) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4 (B) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2 
(C) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3 (D) P-2, Q-1, R-3, S-4 
 
Q.20 Continuous miner and shuttle car combination is NOT applicable in mining with 
(A) rib pillar extraction technique 
(B) Wangawilli system 
(C) room and pillar method 
(D) longwall method 
 
Q.21 Contours in a topographic map 
(A) are not closed upon themselves although the earth is a continuous surface  
(B) are not perpendicular to the direction of maximum slope  
(C) provide an indication of presence of valley or ridge in the area 
(D) are the lines joining the points of same declination at different elevations 
 
Q.22 A Dragger Gas Mask DOES NOT filter 
(A) water vapour (B) nitrous fumes 
(C) carbon monoxide (D) carbon dioxide 
 
Q.23 A system consists of four elements A, B, C and D which are connected functionally in a parallel 
configuration. The individual reliability of the elements is 0.80, 0.82, 0.85 and 0.90 respectively. 
The reliability of the system is 
(A) 0.498 (B) 0.602 (C)  0.750 (D)  0.999 
 
Q.24 The blasting technique used for controlled throw of overburden is known as  
(A) cast blasting (B) coyote blasting 
(C) plaster shooting (D) pop shooting 
 
Q.25 The stoping method, where a large part of blasted ore is allowed to accumulate in the stope to serve 
the purpose of providing working platform for stoping as well as to support the wall-rock, is known 
as 
(A) shrinkage stoping (B) cut and fill stoping 
(C) square-set stoping (D) sublevel stoping 
MN 4/14
Page 5


 
GATE 2012 Online Examination  
MN : MINING ENGINEERING 
Duration: Three Hours                          Maximum Marks: 100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
 
1. The computer allotted to you at the examination center runs a specialized software that permits only 
one answer to be selected for multiple choice questions using a mouse. Your answers shall be updated 
and saved on a server periodically and at the end of the examination.  
 
2. To login, enter your Registration Number and password provided in the envelope. Go through the 
symbols used in the test and understand the meaning before you start the examination. You can view 
all questions by clicking on the View All Questions button in the screen after the start of the 
examination. 
 
3. To answer a question, select the question using the selection panel on the screen and choose the 
correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. To change the answer, just click on 
another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, click on the button 
next to the selected option. 
 
 
4. The examination will automatically stop at the end of 3 hours. 
 
5. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Except questions Q.26 – Q.30, all the other 
questions are of multiple choice type with only one correct answer. Questions Q.26 - Q.30 require a 
numerical answer, and a number should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor.   
 
6. Questions Q.1 – Q.25 carry 1 mark each. Questions Q.26 – Q.55 carry 2 marks each. The 2 marks 
questions include two pairs of common data questions and two pairs of linked answer questions. The 
answer to the second question of the linked answer questions depends on the answer to the first 
question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly answered or is unattempted, then 
the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
 
7. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1 mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2 marks each.   
 
8. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark and wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks. 
There is no negative marking for questions of numerical answer type, i.e., for Q.26 – Q.30.  For all 1 
mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark 
will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the case of the linked answer question pair, 
there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first question and no negative marks for 
wrong answer to the second question.  
 
9. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. Do the 
rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
10. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
DECLARATION: I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
Registration Number 
MN 
      
 
 
Name  
Signature  
 
Verified that the above entries are correct. 
                                    Invigilator’s signature: 
 
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
A 30 m steel tape having an area of cross-section of 5 x 10
-6
 m
2
 is standardized at 20
0
C, supported 
under a tension of 5.45 N. It is used to measure a horizontal distance of 81.15 m under an applied 
tension of 9.09 N. The error, due to incorrect pulling arrangement in this observation, in m is  
(E
steel 
= 200 GPa) 
Q.1 
(A) 0.148 (B) 0.295 (C) 1.820  (D) 3.640  
 
The coefficient of variation of a dataset is measured by  
(A) 
mean
standard deviation
  (B) 
mean
variance
 
Q.2 
(C) 
standard deviation
mean
 (D) 
variance
mean
 
 
The value of ()
1
1
0
sin cos x dx
-
?
  is 
Q.3 
(A) 
() 1
2
p -
 (B) 
() 1
2
p +
  (C)  
( ) 21
2
p +
 (D)  
() 21
2
p -
 
 
Assuming and sin(1) 0.841 = sin(3) 0.141 = , the Lagrangian linear interpolating polynomial, for 
the function () sin() fx x = defined on the interval [1, 3] and passing through the end points of the 
interval, is 
(A)  0.35 1.19 x -+
(B)  3.05 11.92 x -+
(C)  35.00 119.10 x -+
Q.4 
(D)  40.50 219.19 x -+
 
If Poisson’s ratio of a rock sample is 0.25, then the relationship among the modulus of elasticity 
(E), modulus of rigidity (G) and bulk modulus (K) is  
Q.5 
(A)  E = K = G (B) E > G  > K (C)  E = G  > K (D)   E > K > G
 
The 2
nd
 order differential equation having a solution (/ ) yAx B = + , where A and B are constants, 
is 
(A) 
2
2
0
dy dy
dydx x dx
+= 
(B) 
2
2
2
0
dy dy
xdx dx
+= 
(C) 
2
2
2
2
0
dy dy
dx x dx
??
+=
??
??
 
Q.6 
(D) 
22
2
0
dy dy dy
dydx dx dx
++ = 
 
A cylindrical rock specimen is uniaxially loaded under compression and fails at 50 MPa. The 
fracture plane is inclined at an angle of 45
0
 with the axial direction. The normal and shear stresses 
respectively on the failure plane in MPa are 
Q.7 
(A) 50, 50 (B) 0, 50 (C)  50, 0 (D)  25, 25 
MN 2/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
 
Q.8 A uniformly distributed load of 20 kN/m is acting on a 15 m long cantilever beam AB of area of 
cross section 2 m x 2 m, as shown in the figure. The beam is fixed at point A. The modulus of 
elasticity of the material is  1.0 GPa. 
 
2m 
15m
2m 
20 kN/m
AB 
 
The maximum vertical displacement of the beam in m is 
(A) 0.004 (B) 0.020 (C)  0.071 (D)  0.190 
 
Q.9 In a surface mine, sound pressure level at a location generated by operation of a dozer and a drill 
respectively are 80 dBA and 60 dBA, when operated independently. The sound pressure generated 
by the dozer compared to the drill is higher by a factor of  
(A) 10 (B) 20 (C)  100 (D)  200 
 
Q.10 As per the Indian Electricity Rules 1956, the maximum permissible length of a flexible cable used 
with an electric rope shovel in m is  
(A) 100 (B) 200 (C)  300 (D) 500  
 
Q.11 The equipment that is NOT used in hard rock metal mining drivage is  
(A) road header (B) drill jumbo 
(C) jack hammer (D) dint header 
 
Q.12 The roof bolt that follows the principle of point anchorage is  
(A) expansion shell bolt (B) full column grouted bolt 
(C) split set bolt (D) swellex bolt 
 
Q.13 Equipment used in mining of placer deposits is 
(A) auger (B) wagon drill (C)  rope saw (D)  riffle box 
 
Q.14 A dump truck powered by 350 kW engine is running at a speed of 35 km/h. Considering the 
transmission efficiency of the truck as 85%, the rim pull of the truck in kN is 
(A) 21 (B) 31 (C)  41 (D)  51 
 
Q.15 Nystagmus is a miner’s disease associated with 
(A) lever (B) lung (C)  eye (D)  stomach 
 
Q.16 Apart from mining of coal, the longwall mining method has been practiced for mining the deposits 
of   
(A) copper (B) lead and zinc (C)  manganese (D)  pyrite and phosphate 
 
Q.17 The three segments, whose synchronous functioning is essential for GPS operations, are 
(A) space, control and user (B) signal, control and user 
(C) space, control and geo-registration (D) signal, control and geo-registration 
 
 
MN 3/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
Q.18 When a double ended ranging drum shearer cuts coal in a longwall face, 
(A) both the drums rotate in the same direction keeping the front drum up and the rear drum down 
(B) both the drums rotate in the opposite direction keeping the front drum up and the rear drum 
down 
(C) both the drums rotate in the opposite direction keeping the front drum down and the rear drum 
up 
(D) both the drums rotate in the same direction keeping the front drum down and the rear drum up 
 
The match the following  Q.19 
 Mine gas Principal constituent 
P Stink damp 1 CO 
Q White damp 2 H
2
S 
R Black damp 3 CH
4
 
S Fire damp 4 CO
2
 
 
 
(A) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4 (B) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2 
(C) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3 (D) P-2, Q-1, R-3, S-4 
 
Q.20 Continuous miner and shuttle car combination is NOT applicable in mining with 
(A) rib pillar extraction technique 
(B) Wangawilli system 
(C) room and pillar method 
(D) longwall method 
 
Q.21 Contours in a topographic map 
(A) are not closed upon themselves although the earth is a continuous surface  
(B) are not perpendicular to the direction of maximum slope  
(C) provide an indication of presence of valley or ridge in the area 
(D) are the lines joining the points of same declination at different elevations 
 
Q.22 A Dragger Gas Mask DOES NOT filter 
(A) water vapour (B) nitrous fumes 
(C) carbon monoxide (D) carbon dioxide 
 
Q.23 A system consists of four elements A, B, C and D which are connected functionally in a parallel 
configuration. The individual reliability of the elements is 0.80, 0.82, 0.85 and 0.90 respectively. 
The reliability of the system is 
(A) 0.498 (B) 0.602 (C)  0.750 (D)  0.999 
 
Q.24 The blasting technique used for controlled throw of overburden is known as  
(A) cast blasting (B) coyote blasting 
(C) plaster shooting (D) pop shooting 
 
Q.25 The stoping method, where a large part of blasted ore is allowed to accumulate in the stope to serve 
the purpose of providing working platform for stoping as well as to support the wall-rock, is known 
as 
(A) shrinkage stoping (B) cut and fill stoping 
(C) square-set stoping (D) sublevel stoping 
MN 4/14
2012                                                                                                                                                                                                    MINING ENGG. –  MN 
 
Q. 26 to Q. 55 carry two marks each. 
The injury rates of mine workers in an underground coal mine based on age group are given below: Q.26 
 
Age group of mine 
workers 
Age-specific injury rate 
(per 1000 persons) 
Age-specific population 
in the mine 
18 32 - 1.8 1000 
33 46 - 2.5 500 
47 60 - 4.5 300 
 
The injury rate per 1000 persons employed in the mine for the total population is  
(A) 0.24 (B) 2.44 (C)  8.80 (D)  24.40 
 
Q.27 A shearer is deployed in a mine where the specific energy consumption for cutting coal is 
800 kJ/m
3
. The specific gravity of coal is 1.2. If the machine produces 700 te/h, the electrical power 
consumption in kW of the shearer at  65%  motor efficiency is 
(A) 149.4 (B) 199.4 (C)  219.4 (D)  239.4 
 
Q.28 The figure shows a weightless beam PQ of length 8 m resting on a hinge support at P and on a 
roller support at R. A vertical force of 40 N is acting at a distance of 4 m from P. A uniformly 
distributed load of 10 N/m is acting on a length of 2 m of the beam from Q.  
 
P
R
Q
40 N 4 m
2 m
8 m
10 N/m
P
R
Q
40 N 4 m
2 m
8 m
10 N/m
 
The magnitude of reaction force at R in N is 
(A) 20  (B) 30  (C)  40  (D)  50  
 
The figure shows the distance vs time graph of a moving particle. The tangents to the curve at A 
and B make angles of 45
Q.29 
0
 and 60
0
 respectively with the time axis. 
 
A
B
45
0
60
0
Distance, m
Time, sec
5
10
15
20
25
30
12 3 4 56
A
B
45
0
60
0
Distance, m
Time, sec
5
10
15
20
25
30
12 3 4 56
 
  
The ratio of the speeds of the particle at B and at A is  
(A) 0.72 (B) 1.38 (C)  1.58 (D)  1.75 
MN 5/14