Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENT, cilt.26, sa.2, ss.93-103, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
Mine planning is really about seeking an optimal solution to three coupled problems, namely: mine block sequencing, ore-waste discrimination by cut-off grades and determination of production rates. The key objective of the optimisation model is to maximise net present value (NPV) under the access and capacity constraints. In current practice, mine block sequencing is implemented for pre-defined cut-off grades and production rates determined outside of optimisation process (Model 1). This article takes a further step in improving the optimisation process by enabling ore-waste discrimination and block sequencing to be optimised concurrently through a mixed integer programming (MIP) model for given capacities (Model 2). This optimisation model gives rise to the problem of size in terms of the number of destinations. However, it allows more block configuration in tandem with increases in NPV. To demonstrate the superior attributes of this enhanced model, a case study was implemented using data from a gold mine. The new model generated 5% more NPV. Increasing computer capacity and CPU speed enables mine planners to use Model 2 for solving mine production planning problems efficiently.