Stope boundary optimization for an underground copper deposit using mixed integer linear programming based algorithm

Abstract

Optimal ore body boundary and production area geometry (Stope) are essential to maximize the profit from an underground mining project subject to inherent physical, geotechnical and geological constraints. Number of researches have been introduced for stope boundary optimization but true optimal solution in three dimensional spaces is still out of reach. This article proposed a computer programming based optimization model using mixed integer linear programming based algorithm that incorporate stope boundary optimization with varying cost of mining and selling price of the metal. An actual ore body model was taken as case study to implement the algorithm in real mining scenario. In validation study, it is observed that, by using proposed model, the profit can be increased by 10% - 15% as compared to the present stoping practice. Simulating the optimal stope boundary by changing the various cost and price parameters helps to opt the best possible option for a given mining scenario to make most realistic plan.