Optimal Selection of Matte Grade in Copper Smelting Process

Abstract

This work presents the sensitivity analysis of a hierarchical scheduling framework for the copper smelting process with respect to the change in matte grade. The aim is to find the matte grade that can maximize the throughput of the copper smelting process. This study considers multiple-PSC units and a multiple-batch hierarchical scheduling framework that finds an optimal schedule for the process using promising heuristics. The process is briefly discussed, and the simulation results are discussed in detail to provide a comprehensive view of the effects of the matte grade on the operation of the copper smelting process.