Abstract
Selection and assessment of mining equipment used in open pit rock mines relies chiefly on estimates of overall exploitation cost. The rational arrangement of mining equipment and systems comprising loading machines, haul trucks and crushing plants should be preceded by a thorough analysis of technical and economic aspects, such as investment outlays and the costs of further exploitation, which largely determine the costs of mining operations and the deposit value. Additionally, the operational parameters of the mining equipment ought to be considered. In this study, a universal set of evaluation criteria has been developed, and an evaluation method has been applied for the selection of surface mining equipment and the processing system to be operated in specific mining conditions, defined by the user. The objective of this study is to develop and apply the new methodology of multi-criteria selection of open pit rock mining equipment based on multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) procedures, to enable the optimization of loading, handling and crushing processes. The methodology, underpinned by the principles of MCDM, provides the dedicated ranking procedures, including the ELECTRE III. The applied methodology allows the alternative options (variants) to be ranked accordingly. Ultimately, a more universal methodology is developed, applicable in other surface mines where geological and mining conditions are similar. It may prove particularly useful in selection and performance assessment of mining equipment and process line configurations in mining of low-quality rock deposits. Therefore, we undertook to develop universal criteria and applications for the selection and performance assessment of process machines for surface mines, taking into account environmental aspects as well as deposit quality.
Highlights
The profitability of rock production mining is closely linked to the individual components of the machine’s working process
The main objective of this study is to develop new interdisciplinary criteria taking into account both tangible and intangible aspects, and to explore potential applications of the MultipleCriteria Decision-Making (MCDM) tool, such as to facilitate the optimal selection of environment friendly equipment that should satisfy the involved decision makers
Preference models giving the relative weight of each criterion, as well as the relationship between the weak and strong preference, and indifference between the alternatives being evaluated
Summary
The profitability of rock production mining is closely linked to the individual components of the machine’s working process. The rational selection of mining system configurations including vehicles and loading and processing machines should be based on a thorough technological and economic analysis that factors in mining conditions. The selection of machines should take into consideration all key elements specific for mining process [1]. Of particular importance in selection of the process line system is the exact number, type and operating capacity of machinery and equipment. Any over- or underestimation may adversely and irreversibly impact on the net value of the entire mining project, the quest for reliable methods for selecting machines based on precise and exact criteria [3]. Choosing the optimal mining equipment is challenging problems and depends on many criteria and the applied method of selecting machines: deterministic where fleet
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