A Decomposition-Based Algorithm for the Scheduling of Open-Pit Networks Over Multiple Time Periods

Michelle L. Blom (), Adrian R. Pearce () and Peter J. Stuckey ()
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Michelle L. Blom: Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
Adrian R. Pearce: Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia
Peter J. Stuckey: Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Victoria, Australia

Management Science, 2016, vol. 62, issue 10, 3059-3084

Abstract: We consider the multiple-time-period, short-term production scheduling problem for a network of multiple open-pit mines and ports. Ore produced at each mine, in each period, is transported by rail to a set of ports and blended into products for shipping. Each port forms these blends to a specification, as stipulated in contracts with downstream customers. This problem belongs to a class of multiple producer/consumer scheduling problems in which producers are able to generate a range of products, a combination of which are required by consumers to meet specified demands. In practice, short-term schedules are formed independently at each mine, tasked with achieving a grade and quality target outlined in a medium-term plan. Because of uncertainty in the data available to a medium-term planner and the dynamics of the mining environment, such targets may not be feasible in the short term. In this paper, we present an algorithm in which the grade and quality targets assigned to each mine are iteratively adapted, ensuring the satisfaction of blending constraints at each port while generating schedules for each mine that maximise resource utilisation. This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization .

Keywords: short-term open-pit mine production scheduling; hybrid optimisation; nonlinear programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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