Optimizing for Sustainability by Integrating Progressive Reclamation and Waste Management in the Simultaneous Stochastic Optimization Framework for Mining Complexes

Dimitrakopoulos, Roussos; Levinson, Zach

Abstract

Mining complexes that produce critical minerals require strategic environmental management to obtain sustainable long-term production. A novel approach for long-term production scheduling in mining complexes is introduced that integrateswaste management and progressive reclamation into a simultaneous stochastic optimization framework for mining complexes. The optimization model manages waste dump material placement while simultaneously scheduling the extraction sequence, destination policy, and stockpiling strategies for multiple mines. Additionally, the model schedules progressive reclamation activities during production to improvethe rate of waste dump rehabilitation. The proposed framework addresses acid rock drainage risk by first simulating the geochemical properties of waste to quantify the inherent uncertainty. Then, within the optimization framework it aims to manage the risk of acid drainage through waste blending techniques. To handle the complexity of this optimization, the framework uses contextual bandits to enhance the metaheuristic solution approach. The simultaneous stochastic optimizationapproach is applied to a multi-mine copper-gold mining complex where it significantly reduces environmental risk by decreasing the likeliness of acid rock drainage in waste dump facilities by 52.5%. It also enables the scheduling of reclamation activities to meet environmental standards before mine closure. The inclusion of contextual bandits improved the objective function by 24%. This shows the framework's effectiveness in enhancing environmental performance in mining operations. The research provides a holistic approach for optimizing mining complexes that focuses on key environmental aspects.

Menu

Optimizing for Sustainability by Integrating Progressive Reclamation and Waste Management in the Simultaneous Stochastic Optimization Framework for Mining Complexes

Abstract