Calculating ultimate pit limits and determining pushbacks in open-pit mining projects

Arturo Buelga Díaz, Isidro Diego Álvarez, César Castañón Fernández, Alicja Krzemień and Francisco Javier Iglesias Rodríguez

Resources Policy, 2021, vol. 72, issue C

Abstract: A very important part of any open-pit mining project is determining the ultimate pit limits and optimizing the pushbacks. Currently, block models are the most widely used for calculating mineral resources and reserves. Block models can define the ultimate pit limits through algorithms like floating cone, Lerchs-Grossmann, PseudoFlow, etc. However, only through an economic study will the best pits be selected, from most to least economically valuable, and the different possible pushbacks can then be defined.

Keywords: Mining; Open-pit; Floating cone; Ultimate pit limit; Pushbacks; Block model; Cut-off grade; Copper (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:72:y:2021:i:c:s0301420721000751

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102058

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