Abstract
An open-pit mines consist of the accumulation of ore layers with different chemical characteristics and aims to extract ores from the surface. Based on a geological discretization of the deposit, the ore body model is represented as a three-dimensional array of blocks divided into two subsets; ore blocks, which can be extracted and processed profitably, and waste blocks, which include all the remaining blocks. The extraction process results from the iteration of a sequence of elementary operations performed on blocks by specialized or multipurpose machines. Short-term planning of the ore extraction process in open-pit mines is a complex undertaking that necessitates the identification of the best spatio-temporal machinery affectation. All of this is constrained by several factors: operations sequencing, machines compatibility, machines availability, machines motions, and priorities of layers (urgency of obtaining certain qualities). In this study, a Mixed Integer Linear Programming model (MILP) is used to generate the short-term extraction schedule. The MILP is based on the well-known flexible job-shop theoretical problem with generic minimal time-lags between operations. A simple example is used to clearly explain the model and the solution obtained.
Published Version
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