Abstract:

In-pit crusher and conveyor (IPCC) systems are used to reduce truck haulage for open pit mines by bringing the crusher closer to the excavation. Optimizing a production schedule with semi-mobile IPCC requires integrating decision making for the mining sequence, truck fleet management, and IPCC configurations. Mineral supply uncertainty in grades and material types must be considered to manage risk and provide realistic forecasts. In addition, mines may need to process material with multiple attributes or elements. An integrated stochastic mathematical programming framework is proposed to generate long-term production schedules for mines using semi-mobile IPCC and a stockpile. Simulated orebody realizations are used as inputs to consider the supply uncertainty and manage associated risk. The integrated framework optimizes the extraction sequence, material destination policy, truck fleet investment, crusher location, conveyor layout, and relocation timing simultaneously. The method is demonstrated using an iron ore deposit with multiple elements.

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Liam Findlay

Biography