Operational mine planning in block cave mining: a simulation-optimisation approach

ABSTRACT

Block cave mining operations face challenges to meet daily operational production targets. The optimistic long-term and medium-term plans along with uncertainty and the synergistic effect of the mechanical and structural failures in operational levels of the mine cause a significant deviation from production plan targets. The on-site tuning of the mining production targets in real time are neither the best practice nor the optimum approach to compensate for shortfalls in production. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology that generates practical and near-optimal short-term mine plans for block caving operations in the presence of operational uncertainty. To accomplish this goal, we propose a simulation-optimisation approach using a Monte Carlo simulation model and a multi-objective non-linear goal programming model that takes into consideration operational constraints and uncertainties. In a case study, we compare the results of the proposed methodology against the mine plan and the historical production data of a copper block cave operation. The strengths and weaknesses of the model are presented and discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Block caving
• operation optimisation
• short-term mine plan
• multi-objective non-linear goal programming
• Monte Carlo simulation

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the funding of the National Agency for Research and Development of Chile (ANID), through grant AFB180004 PIA CONICYT (AMTC).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported of the National Agency for Research and Development of Chile (ANID), through grant AFB180004 PIA CONICYT (AMTC).