Abstract:In open pit mining, dilution is not always a factor systematically analyzed and calculated. Often it is only an adjusted number, for example, calculated or even empirically determined for a certain operational condition perpetuating along time in the form of a constant applied to calculating reserves or mine planning in attendance of audit requirements. Dilution and loss are factors that should be always considered for tonnage and grade estimates. These factors are always associated and can be determined consi… Show more
“…The methodology developed by [16,20] consisted of an automated routine for calculating operational dilution through the analysis of short-term mine plans (subsets of blocks to be extracted), analysing blocks' grades, contacts and neighbourhoods to verify if there were differences between the planned grades and the measured data. This work proposes improving the mentioned methodology by incorporating the information of grade uncertainty to calculate the operational dilution.…”
Operational dilution in open-pit mining can influence short-term mine planning and affect the adherence between designed and executed plans, impacting the reconciliation results. This type of dilution may occur due to several reasons, such as erroneous assumptions regarding contacts, inefficient mining performance, and uncertainties associated with the planned grades. The use of uncertainties enables better predictability and achievement of planned targets. Using the mine planning polygons and grade models, a methodology is proposed to measure the dilution ranges in each region. The methodology considers the uncertainty associated with the ore grades to verify the probability of occurrence of dilution in the short-term mine plan. The results demonstrated that the use of uncertainties enabled identification of the areas with a higher potential of incurring operational dilution. Using this information, the plans can be adjusted to minimize dilution, or the result can be used as a factor to correct the planned data.
“…The methodology developed by [16,20] consisted of an automated routine for calculating operational dilution through the analysis of short-term mine plans (subsets of blocks to be extracted), analysing blocks' grades, contacts and neighbourhoods to verify if there were differences between the planned grades and the measured data. This work proposes improving the mentioned methodology by incorporating the information of grade uncertainty to calculate the operational dilution.…”
Operational dilution in open-pit mining can influence short-term mine planning and affect the adherence between designed and executed plans, impacting the reconciliation results. This type of dilution may occur due to several reasons, such as erroneous assumptions regarding contacts, inefficient mining performance, and uncertainties associated with the planned grades. The use of uncertainties enables better predictability and achievement of planned targets. Using the mine planning polygons and grade models, a methodology is proposed to measure the dilution ranges in each region. The methodology considers the uncertainty associated with the ore grades to verify the probability of occurrence of dilution in the short-term mine plan. The results demonstrated that the use of uncertainties enabled identification of the areas with a higher potential of incurring operational dilution. Using this information, the plans can be adjusted to minimize dilution, or the result can be used as a factor to correct the planned data.
“…The proposition and implementation of this technique is based on the methodology of Câmara and Peroni (2016). These researchers' methodology is improved using an algorithm with HTML and Java-Script languages, making it possible to quantify dilution by considering specific operational conditions for short-term mine planning purposes.…”
Dilution and ore loss are important factors that can affect costs and profitability of a mining operation by lowering the quantity of mineral or metal that can be produced from each ton of processed ore. When discussing open-pit mining, dilution and ore loss are sometimes assumed as fixed factors in geostatistical block models and cut-off grade calculations, without considering specific particularities of the deposit and operation. This paper proposes to quantify the dilution caused by operational inefficiency through identifying the ore blocks that are a part of the short-term plans and mapping their neighbourhood, considering the nature of the contacts and the differences in grades. This technique enables the operational dilution to be calculated. It is applicable for operations using mechanical excavation and/or blasting. The results demonstrate that operational dilution can be measured and controlled to improve the tonnage and grade reconciliation between planning and production.
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