278
5 CONCLUSIONS
We have presented a methodology that combines an optimization model and a postprocessing algorithm in order to transform an optimized pit profile, computed using block support,
into a pit profile that includes an access ramp, and analysed the performance of the methodology over five different block models.
The methodology considers standard design parameters, for which it aims to fit the best
ramp so that the total value impact on the initial pit profile is mitigated. Given the operational
and design parameters, the methodology is fully automated, therefore providing a valuable
tool for constructing the first designs of the mine quickly and therefore allowing to analyse
several scenarios with ease.
When evaluated over the different case studies, the methodology shows that it can generate profiles with value and tonnage that are close to the original one, however the differences
can be significant, leaving space potential improvement. However, the study also shows that
this is mostly due to the difference introduced by the optimization model, which needs to
approximate a ramp design using block support. Conversely, the postprocessing algorithm
seems very promising in terms of capturing most of the value of the initial solution, even
improving it sometimes.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by the CONICYT Basal Project
FB0809 at the University of Chile, Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC).
REFERENCES
Atkinson T., 1992. Design and layout of haul roads, in SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed.,
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., Colorado, USA, 1334–1342.
Bley A., Boland N., Fricke C., Froyland G., 2010. A strengthened formulation and cutting planes for the
open pit mine production scheduling problem, Computers & Operations Research, 37, 1641–1647.
Caccetta L., Hill S., 2003. An application of branch and cut to open pit mine scheduling, Journal of
global optimization, 27, 349–365.
Dagdelen K., 2001. Open pit optimization—strategies for improving economics of mining projects
through mine planning, International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, Turkey.
Gallagher M.S., Kear R.M., 2001. Split shell open pit design concept applied at De Beers Venetia Mine
South Africa using the Whittle and Gemcom software, The Journal of The South African Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, 401–410.
Hustrulid W., Kuchta M., Martin R., 2013a. Geometrical considerations, in Open Pit Mine Planning
and Design, Taylor & Francis, eds., Leiden, The Netherlands, 290–408.
Hustrulid W., Kuchta M., Martin R., 2013b. Production planning, in Open Pit Mine Planning and
Design, CRC, UK, 504–669.
Lerchs, H. and Grossman, H.C., 1965. Optimal design of open-pit mines, Transactions C.I.M., 58,
47–54.
Morales N., Nancel-Penard P., Parra A., 2017. An Integer Linear Programming Model for Optimizing
Open Pit Ramp Design, 38th APCOM proceedings, Session 11, 9–16.
Nancel-Penard P., Morales N., Parra A., Diaz C., Widzyk-Capehart E. In Press. Value-Optimal design
of ramps in open pit mining. Archives of Mining Sciences.
Whittle D., 2011. Open-pit planning and design, in SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Published by
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 877–901.
Williams P., Floyd J., Chitombo G., Maton T., 2013. Design implementation, in Open Pit Slope Design,
CSIRO publishing, Australia, 265–326.
5 CONCLUSIONS
We have presented a methodology that combines an optimization model and a postprocessing algorithm in order to transform an optimized pit profile, computed using block support,
into a pit profile that includes an access ramp, and analysed the performance of the methodology over five different block models.
The methodology considers standard design parameters, for which it aims to fit the best
ramp so that the total value impact on the initial pit profile is mitigated. Given the operational
and design parameters, the methodology is fully automated, therefore providing a valuable
tool for constructing the first designs of the mine quickly and therefore allowing to analyse
several scenarios with ease.
When evaluated over the different case studies, the methodology shows that it can generate profiles with value and tonnage that are close to the original one, however the differences
can be significant, leaving space potential improvement. However, the study also shows that
this is mostly due to the difference introduced by the optimization model, which needs to
approximate a ramp design using block support. Conversely, the postprocessing algorithm
seems very promising in terms of capturing most of the value of the initial solution, even
improving it sometimes.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by the CONICYT Basal Project
FB0809 at the University of Chile, Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC).
REFERENCES
Atkinson T., 1992. Design and layout of haul roads, in SME Mining Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed.,
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., Colorado, USA, 1334–1342.
Bley A., Boland N., Fricke C., Froyland G., 2010. A strengthened formulation and cutting planes for the
open pit mine production scheduling problem, Computers & Operations Research, 37, 1641–1647.
Caccetta L., Hill S., 2003. An application of branch and cut to open pit mine scheduling, Journal of
global optimization, 27, 349–365.
Dagdelen K., 2001. Open pit optimization—strategies for improving economics of mining projects
through mine planning, International Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey, Turkey.
Gallagher M.S., Kear R.M., 2001. Split shell open pit design concept applied at De Beers Venetia Mine
South Africa using the Whittle and Gemcom software, The Journal of The South African Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy, 401–410.
Hustrulid W., Kuchta M., Martin R., 2013a. Geometrical considerations, in Open Pit Mine Planning
and Design, Taylor & Francis, eds., Leiden, The Netherlands, 290–408.
Hustrulid W., Kuchta M., Martin R., 2013b. Production planning, in Open Pit Mine Planning and
Design, CRC, UK, 504–669.
Lerchs, H. and Grossman, H.C., 1965. Optimal design of open-pit mines, Transactions C.I.M., 58,
47–54.
Morales N., Nancel-Penard P., Parra A., 2017. An Integer Linear Programming Model for Optimizing
Open Pit Ramp Design, 38th APCOM proceedings, Session 11, 9–16.
Nancel-Penard P., Morales N., Parra A., Diaz C., Widzyk-Capehart E. In Press. Value-Optimal design
of ramps in open pit mining. Archives of Mining Sciences.
Whittle D., 2011. Open-pit planning and design, in SME Mining Engineering Handbook, Published by
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 877–901.
Williams P., Floyd J., Chitombo G., Maton T., 2013. Design implementation, in Open Pit Slope Design,
CSIRO publishing, Australia, 265–326.