Surface mining operations: coincident unit cost and emissions

Abstract

Traditionally, surface mining has been organised based on a minimum unit cost criterion. However, there is an increasing awareness for the need to reduce carbon emissions due to their negative environmental impacts. This paper explores the relationship between the optimal unit cost surface mining operation and the optimal unit emissions operation. It examines the influence of a range of operation parameters including truck size, payload, fuel use and travel and load times. It is demonstrated theoretically that the optima with respect to unit cost and unit emissions coincide, and this coincidence is invariant on changing operation parameters. To support the theoretical result, data from an extensive field study are used, including time and production measurements, and collected fuel burn data and its conversion to emissions. The paper’s findings will be of interest to those involved in designing and managing surface mining, and similar operations such as quarrying and earthmoving.