Semi-symmetrical production scheduling of an orebody for optimizing the depth of transitioning from open pit to block caving

A.Soltani Khaboushan and M. Osanloo

Resources Policy, 2020, vol. 68, issue C

Abstract: A combination of open pit (OP) and underground (UG) mining methods may be applied for extraction of large scale orebodies. Although the optimization of production scheduling of each of these methods has been addressed separately, the simultaneous optimization of the whole mining operations has less been studied. However, such overall optimization strategy may enhance the net present value (NPV) of the adventure, determine the optimum transition depth (OTD), and help to manage natural resources accurately. This paper aims to determine an OTD between OP and block caving (BC) mining methods while scheduling an orebody entirely. In this regard, a semi-symmetrical integer programming (IP) model has been developed and implemented on a real orebody. The numerical results indicate that the OTD locates 10 m above the original OP bottom. By considering this level as the optimum separating limit of OP and UG mining operations, the NPV of the whole project will increase by up to 0.28%. Through the study, the definition of transition zone has been clarified and the transition capability has been introduced as a new term in mining literature.

Keywords: Open pit; Block caving; Production scheduling; Transition zone; Optimum transition depth; Transition capability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:68:y:2020:i:c:s0301420720301537

DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101700

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