Optimisation of production planning for an innovative hybrid underground mining method

Mousavi, Amin; Sellers, Ewan

doi:10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.03.002

Cited by 17 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Little et al [20] showed the value of optimizing the shape of the stope by providing a model to optimize the shape of the two stopes. Mousavi and Sellers [21] integrated in mine recovery (IMR) into conventional mining operations, which can significantly increase the net present value of the project by recycling low-grade material from conventional mining that is commonly left as waste rock. Campeau and Gamache [22] proposed an optimization model for short-term planning, taking into account the various working points from the development and production phases, as well as the specific equipment and worker restrictions using a mixed integer program with priority.…”

Section: Relevant Literature 21 Short-term Resource Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dispatch Optimization Model for Haulage Equipment between Stopes Based on Mine Short-Term Resource Planning

Feng

et al. 2021

Metals

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The working environment of underground mines is complicated, making it difficult to construct an underground mine production plan. In response to the requirements for the preparation of a short-term production plan for underground mines, an optimization model for short-term resource planning was constructed, with the goal of maximizing the total revenue during the planning period. The artificial bee colony optimization algorithm is used to solve the model using MATLAB. According to the basic requirements of underground mine ore haulage and ore hoisting, a haulage equipment inter-stopes dispatch plan model was constructed, with the primary goal of minimizing the haulage equipment wait time. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization model. An underground mine is examined using the two models, and the optimization results are compared and verified with the scheme obtained by using traditional optimization algorithms. Results show that based on the improved optimization algorithm, the use of short-term production planning schemes to guide mine production operations can increase the haulage equipment utilization rate, thereby increasing mine production revenue.

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Section: Relevant Literature 21 Short-term Resource Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Constraint (19) determines the volume of ore and waste scheduled to be mined during each shift based on the number of shift hours in the plan period determined by the short-term planning period. Constraints (20) and (21) require that the total number of round trips of the scrapers or electric locomotives on each line be equal.…”

Section: Constraintsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispatch Optimization Model for Haulage Equipment between Stopes Based on Mine Short-Term Resource Planning

Feng

et al. 2021

Metals

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“…High energy blasting creates the fragmentation and the operation becomes a series of dump leach reactors in sealed chambers with modern, improved chemical/biological based methods being employed to recover the valuable mineral. The methods require updated blasting practices and mine sequence optimisation (Mousavi & Sellers 2019). Alternatively, for a more automated, remote operational approach, the inline recovery (ILR) concept incorporates selective mining and ore upgrading in modular underground sizing and processing plants, such that only concentrated material is transported to the processing facility, significantly reducing the material movement to the surface.…”

Section: Solving Current Problems With Data Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breaking new ground: challenges and opportunities for maximising value from underground blasting

Sellers¹,

Salmi²

2020

Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Underground Mining Technology

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The challenges of underground mining operations have discouraged mine-to-mill value optimisation to maximise metal production by tailoring fragmentation for plant throughput. Improved and automated blasting techniques are required for modern remote, deeper, and highly stressed operations. The definition of value is changing with investors seeking environmental, social, and governance measures, as well as the traditional revenue and net present value approaches. In this paper, analyses of blasting from a range of underground operations are used to highlight the current challenges. Demonstration of how the lack of sufficient and appropriate continuous, 3D measurement of important properties such as blastability, in situ structures, hole deviation, and fragmentation aligned with the limited insights into the effect of mining-induced stresses show how current approaches can often lead to overbreak, dilution, production delays, the lack of excavation stability, and poor plant performance. The real-time fusion of data to recalibrate and monitor the continuously changing environment is required. On the horizon, there is a suite of new technologies such as wireless detonators, nitrate-free explosives, robotic operations, and cognitive spatial management that will enable a new generation of mining methods. These include in-place operations and in-mine recovery where the material movement and the environmental footprint of mining operations is reduced whilst extraction is optimised, and productivity and excavation stability increased.

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“…Large-scale gangue movement and treatment drive operating costs and set higher cut-off grades that require the mining methods to produce in an economy of scale (Hartman & Mutmansky 2002;Hustrulid et al 2013). To address the large footprint of current methods, novel mining methods have been proposed (Mining3 2017; Mousavi & Sellers 2019;Rossien 2018;USBM 1994). The main consideration required for transformational methods are encapsulated into methods that have reduced operational costs, zero-entry, invisible mining that leaves waste in place, and reduces ore movement and processing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the biophysical challenges associated with mine closure in different mining methods

Salmi¹,

Picorelli²,

Sellers³

2022

Mine Closure 2022: 15th Conference on Mine Closure

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Closure issues vary depending on the mining method, creating different biophysical challenges on the surface and underground. In turn, mining methods depend mainly on the geology of the ore deposit, which itself is defined by regional characteristics, such as morphology and local tectonics, etc. The closure is an important factor in developing and planning new mines but is often subordinate to other factors. The mining method is often selected based on pre-feasibility studies and there is limited ability to change the operational characteristics once implemented. If the ability to close the mine, re-use the landscape and contribute to the community and post-mining economy is to become driving factors in the selection of the mining methods and subsequent mine operations, then they should also be carefully considered in early decision-making.A few new mining methods have been proposed for zero-entry and invisible mining that leave waste in place and reduce ore movement. Since these methods require the use of alternative technologies, such as robotics for automation, leaching, and efficient cutting, they will introduce a different set of biophysical issues that will affect the closure and post-mining land use. The potential benefits may be outweighed by their risks, or they may introduce a new set of opportunities for closure at a lower cost and with minimal biophysical risks.This study has, therefore, aimed to compare the biophysical closure impacts of conventional and novel mining methods and to identify if the new mining methods, especially in-place mining, support a business case for closure that enables and motivates the industry to adopt these new mining methods. We identify, compare, and contrast biophysical impacts on post-mining land use for in-place mining methods relative to more traditional mining methods using desktop studies, workshops, and interviews with member company representatives. The study also identifies opportunities to use new mining methods that enable alternative closure options. The study develops and uses a comparative matrix that compares the biophysical impacts of novel mining approaches with the more traditional mining methods (e.g., open pit mining, underground stope mining, and cave mining). The study highlights the current problems, identifies transformational opportunities, and determines future activities that could enable mining methods with improved closure outcomes. The biophysical impacts of different methods should be compared quantitatively, although the current reference site approach has flaws. The use of the rock engineering system enabled quantitative analysis of the survey data, though highlighted that many experts are unaware of the biophysical impacts at closure. The findings also show that the new mining methods are expected to modify and reduce the closure issues relative to the conventional mining methods, which often require large open pits, voids underground, and large tailings footprints. Further investigation is needed to further develop the novel mining metho...

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Optimisation of production planning for an innovative hybrid underground mining method

Cited by 17 publications

References 12 publications

Dispatch Optimization Model for Haulage Equipment between Stopes Based on Mine Short-Term Resource Planning

Dispatch Optimization Model for Haulage Equipment between Stopes Based on Mine Short-Term Resource Planning

Breaking new ground: challenges and opportunities for maximising value from underground blasting

Investigating the biophysical challenges associated with mine closure in different mining methods

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