Download or read book On Globally Optimizing a Mining Complex Under Supply Uncertainty written by Luis Montiel Petro and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Mining complexes are generally comprised of multiple deposits that contain several material types and grade elements, which are transformed in available processing destinations and transported to final stocks or ports as saleable products. These components, associated with a mining complex, encompass multiple sequential activities: (i) Mining the material from one or multiple sources; (ii) blending the material including stockpiling; (iii) transforming the material in different processing destinations considering operating modes; (iv) transporting the transformed material to final stocks or ports. Since these activities are strongly interrelated, their optimization must take place simultaneously. Conventional mining optimization methods suffer from at least one of the following drawbacks when optimizing mining complexes: some decisions are assumed when they should be dynamic (operating modes, destination of mining blocks, etc.); component based objectives are imposed, which might not coincide with global objectives; many parameters are assumed to be known when they are uncertain. Past research works have demonstrated that geological uncertainty is the main cause of the inability of meeting production targets in mining projects. This thesis presents methods to optimize mining complexes that simultaneously consider different components and account for geological uncertainty. A multistage methodology that uses simulated annealing algorithm to generate risk-based production schedules in mining complexes with multiple processing destinations is presented and implemented in Escondida Norte (Chile) copper dataset. Its implementation using Escondida Norte dataset generates expected average deviations of less than 5% regarding mill and waste targets, whereas a mine production schedule generated conventionally over a single estimated model generates expected average deviations of 20 and 12% for mill and waste targets respectively. An iterative improvement algorithm that considers operating modes at different processing destinations is developed and applied to a copper complex. The objective function seeks for maximizing discounted profits along the different periods and scenarios (orebody simulations). The implementation of the method at a copper deposit allows reducing the expected average deviations from 9 to 0.2% regarding the capacity of the first process while increasing the expected NPV by 30% when compared with an initial solution generated conventionally. A method that uses simulated annealing at different decision levels (mining, processing and transportation) is described and tested in a multipit copper operation. The implementation of the method in a multipit copper operation permits the reduction of the expected average deviations from the capacities at two mills from 18-22% to 1-3% and the expected average deviation from the targets regarding two blending elements from 7-1.8% to 0.3-0.6% when compared to an initial solution generated conventionally. The expected NPV also improves by 5%. The previous method is extended to mining complexes that combine open pit and underground operations and it is tested in a gold complex in Nevada. The implementation of the method at Twin Creeks gold complex in Nevada shows improvements in meeting the metallurgical blending requirements while increasing the expected NPV by 14%. The formulations described in this thesis encompass a large number of integer variables given the discretization of the mineral deposits. To solve the problems, efficient optimization algorithms are implemented with significant improvements when compared with conventional deterministic approaches. These algorithms outperform conventional methods regarding expected NPV and meeting targets at the different components of the value chain." --

Download or read book GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION OF THE OPEN PIT MINING COMPLEX WITH INTEGRATED CUT OFF GRADE OPTIMIZATION UNDER UNCERTAINTY written by and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract : The mining complex refers to an integrated problem where the material is extracted from the mines; the extracted material is passed through a series of processing facilities connected with various material handling methods to generate a set of finished products, which can be sold to the customers. The optimization of the mining complex refers to the simultaneous optimization of the multiple mine production schedules, the destination of the materials, and the method of processing throughout the life of the project. The purpose of optimizing the mining complex is to deal with the effective management of resources and maximize cash flows to generate higher profits over the life of the project. The goal of this dissertation is to develop a global optimization methodology that integrates geological (supply) uncertainty and can manage the risk in the design, mining complex operations, and maximize the cash flows. In this study, a new production schedule approach is presented that integrates geological uncertainty and generate the extraction sequence for the mining complex problem. The extraction sequence is developed to maximize the net present value and provide a consistent quantity of the material to different destinations. To optimize the quantity of materials sent to different destinations, the destination policies are defined based on the cut-off grade optimization and block economic values. This allows to form the destination policies for the mined material into various processing streams and maximize the value of the operation. The production schedule and the destination policies are optimized within a unified solution approach for the mining complex problem. The work presented advances the field through the development of the new model that uses the combination of maximum flow, genetic algorithm, and Lane's method for the global optimization of the mining complex. The method simultaneously optimizes the production schedule and the cut-off grade while considering uncertainty. The performance advantages and limitations are analyzed and tested on real-world examples. The results show that the models reduce the production risks and increase the net present value of the mining operation.

Download or read book Optimizing a Multi pit Mining Complex with Intricate Blending Requirements Under Supply Uncertainty written by Luis Montiel and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Unifed Modelling and Simultaneous Optimization of Open Pit Mining Complexes with Supply Uncertainty written by Ryan Goodfellow and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A mining complex is an integrated business that extracts materials from open pit or underground mines, treats extracted materials via a series of processing facilities that are interconnected by various material handling methods, and generates a set of products that are sold and delivered to customers and/or the spot market. The primary objective when optimizing a mining complex is to maximize its value for the business and its stakeholders while obeying the technical constraints that limit production. This optimization is traditionally performed by treating the various components independently, leading to the suboptimal use of the natural resources and financial capital, and the underperformance of the mining complex. The global optimization of mining complexes aims to simultaneously optimize the mine production schedules, which define the distribution of materials over time, the destination policies, which define where extracted materials are sent, and the use of the various processing streams for processing, distribution and product marketing. As the size of the mining complex grows, there is a compounded effect that uncertainty has on the components, and new stochastic optimization methods are needed to manage this risk. This thesis aims to generate a unified modelling and global optimization methodology that integrates supply uncertainty and manages risk in the design and operation of mining complexes, and can be adapted to suit the needs and objectives of individual operations.This work advances the related field of knowledge through the development of new models and methods for optimizing mining complexes with uncertainty, which is achieved through five major contributions. First, a stochastic global optimization method is developed to simultaneously optimize multi-mine production schedules, destination policies, processing streams and capital expenditures for capacity design; while existing state-of-the-art methods may address some of these aspects, they have not been previously integrated in a simultaneous optimization model that does not rely on divvying up the global model into sub-problems. Second, a new, unified modelling approach is developed that permits the proposed methods to be tested on many different types of mining complexes with a high degree of modelling detail; as a result of this unified approach, non-linear relationships can easily be integrated in the optimization models - a limitation of existing deterministic and stochastic methods. Third, and a result of the previous development, a new approach is developed to model the economic value of the products sold, rather than the materials mined. Existing models and methods are limited by the assumption that each block has an economic value, hence the optimal processing stream is known a priori, and the block is treated and sold in isolation from other blocks; in some cases, this may lead to substantially undervaluing the resource. Using the new modelling approach, it is possible to evaluate the economic potential of products at the point of sale, rather than making these unrealistic assumptions at the block-level. Fourth, computationally efficient solvers are adapted and applied using metaheuristics. A combination of particle swarm optimization and a modified simulated annealing algorithm are developed to optimize various aspects of the global optimization problem; these methods have not been previously combined for mine optimization, and requires devising new methods to change designs and ensure that the optimizers do not get trapped in local optima. Finally, the performance, advantages and limitations of the models and methods are analyzed through full-field testing on real-world and large-scale examples. The results consistently reinforce the concept that it is possible to not only reduce the risk of not meeting production targets, thus guaranteeing financial forecasts are met, but also increase the net present value of the operation." --

Download or read book Dynamic Simultaneous Optimization of Mineral Value Chains Under Resource Uncertainty written by Maria Del Castillo Suarez and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Mining complexes are mineral value chains where extracted material from different mines is transformed into sellable products through a set of processing streams. This value chain is governed by uncertainties at different levels, from the geological attributes of the orebody at the mine(s), to the different operational and processing components that lead the sellable products to the market. Stochastic simultaneous optimization formulations for industrial mining complexes have proven to be effective in generating reliable strategic plans that maximize net present value and, at the same time, manage and reduce risk. However, because of the uncertainties governing a mining complex, particularly the ones related to the geological attributes which define the supply of the system, it has become a priority to integrate flexibility mechanisms that allow a mining project to change and adapt as more information becomes available. Within this adaptability, optimizing the investment timing of high-magnitude capital expenditures throughout the life-of-mine is a priority, due to their high impact on the annual cash-flows and on their effects over the physical mining schedule. Additionally, to improve a mining complex's ability to meet production targets and overall performance, advanced mechanisms should be developed to ensure complex blending constraints are met, managing the geometallurgical variables of the deposit.This thesis presents a methodology to embed flexibility into mineral value chains, by allowing the strategic mine plan of a mining complex to dynamically consider possible options and alternatives for reacting and adapting to future changes. For this, first, a study on extraction capacity optimization is presented, followed by the development of a mechanism to deal with complex variables of the deposit to meet blending constraints and production targets. These two components are later integrated into a dynamic optimization model, which optimizes the mining complex's mine plan under geological uncertainty, integrating flexible investment alternatives, as well as operational modes.The dynamic model developed produces a unique initial extraction sequence, while keeping a viable flexible long-term plan for future investment decisions, as may be needed. The flexible long-term plan is obtained through a dynamic optimization which allows making transitioning plans upfront to facilitate change. This method introduces a new adapted multistage stochastic programming model which expands upon the two-stage framework by performing multiple recourse stages that are solved iteratively, allowing parallel designs to be generated in a scenario-tree structure. In this model, dynamic decisions over capital expenditures are made sequentially over time, based on information that becomes available over production time. The above model is subsequently extended to include alternatives over operating modes at different levels of the mineral value chain. More specifically, optimal operating modes are chosen per period, selecting blasting patterns at the mine, and processing relations of throughput and recovery at the plant. The practical implications of the proposed method are demonstrated through an application over a copper-gold mining complex, where the dynamic model presents a 10.5% increase in net present value compared to a traditional two-stage stochastic formulation.The dynamic mining complex formulation proposed is able to include flexibility into the optimization of the strategic plan of a mineral value chain. This enables possible developments within the feasible set of alternatives that can be taken, considering the mining complex's configuration, capacities, and constraints. The proposed model is able to generate feasible, operational schedules, while providing a wider view of the mining complex's performance, easing the transition to possible changes due to the periodic unveiling of uncertainty." --

Download or read book Dynamic Mid term Optimization of a Mining Complex Under Uncertainty written by Maria Fernanda Del Castillo and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Simultaneous Stochastic Optimization of an Open Pit Gold Mining Complex with Supply and Market Uncertainty written by Ziad Saliba and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Advances in Applied Strategic Mine Planning written by Roussos Dimitrakopoulos and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-01-17 with total page 784 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a collection of papers on topics in the field of strategic mine planning, including orebody modeling, mine-planning optimization and the optimization of mining complexes. Elaborating on the state of the art in the field, it describes the latest technologies and related research as well as the applications of a range of related technologies in diverse industrial contexts.

Download or read book Ore Reserve Estimation and Strategic Mine Planning written by Roussos Dimitrakopoulos and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-11-15 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The mining business faces continual risks in producing metals and raw materials under fluctuating market demand. At the same time, the greatest uncertainty driving the risk and profitability of mining investments is the geological variability of mineral deposits. This supply uncertainty affects the prediction of economic value from the initial valuation of a mining project through mine planning, design and production scheduling. This book is the first of its kind, presenting state-of-the-art stochastic simulation and optimization techniques and step-by-step case studies. Quantification of geological uncertainty through new efficient conditional simulation techniques for large deposits, integration of uncertainty to stochastic optimization formulations for design and production scheduling and the concurrent management of risk are shown to create flexibility, options and oportunities, increase asset value, cashflows and return on investment. New approaches introduced include resource/reserve risk quantification, cost-effective drilling programs, pit design and long-term production scheduling optimization with simulated orebodies, ore reserve classification, geologic risk discounting, waste managing and demand driven scheduling, risk assessment in meeting project production schedules ahead of mining, risk based optimal stope design, options valuation when mining. Applications include commodities such as gold, copper, nickel, iron ore, coal and diamonds.

Download or read book Optimizing Mining Rates Under Financial Uncertainty in Global Mining Complexes written by Arman C. Kizilkale and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Global Asset Optimization of Open Pit Mining Complexes Under Uncertainty written by Ryan Goodfellow and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Mathematics of Planet Earth written by Hans Kaper and published by SIAM. This book was released on 2015-03-31 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Our planet faces many challenges. In 2013, an international partnership of more than 140 scientific societies, research institutes, and organizations focused its attention on these challenges. This project was called Mathematics of Planet Earth and featured English- and French-language blogs, accessible to nonmathematicians, as part of its outreach activities. This book is based on more than 100 of the 270 English-language blog posts and focuses on four major themes: A Planet to Discover; A Planet Supporting Life; A Planet Organized by Humans; and A Planet at Risk. Readers will learn about the challenges that confront the Earth today, and how mathematics and mathematicians contribute to a better understanding of some of these challenges. ?

Download or read book Mining Supply Chain Optimization Under Geological Uncertainty written by Ryan Goodfellow and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Study of Simultaneous Stochastic Optimization of Open Pit Mining Complexes written by Ziad Saliba and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Over the last several years advances in the field of mine planning have led to the development of cutting-edge simultaneous stochastic optimization frameworks for mining complexes. The latest methods consider mining operations as a resource-to-market integrated mineral value that transforms raw in-situ materials into sellable products, a mining complex. Simultaneous stochastic optimization frameworks make use of a paradigm shift that considers the value of the sellable products, as opposed to economic block values, to drive the optimization process and capitalize on the synergies between the central, interrelated components of a mining complex. These methods maximize the value of mining operations and manage technical risk by incorporating uncertainty directly into unified optimization formulations. This thesis studies the simultaneous stochastic optimization framework through two real-world case studies, applying the methods and assessing their characteristics and limitations. The second chapter of this thesis presents an application of a stochastic framework that simultaneously optimizes mining, destination and processing decisions for a multi-pit, multi-processor gold mining complex with challenging geochemical processing constraints. The framework accounts for supply and market uncertainty via stochastic orebody and commodity price simulations as inputs to a unified optimization model. The case study notably assesses the impacts of integrating market uncertainty as input that influences all components of the production schedule. Additionally, cut-off grade decisions are determined by the simultaneous optimization process, considering material variability and operating constraints while reducing the number of a-priori decisions to be made. This approach generates solutions that capitalize on the synergies between extraction sequencing, cut-off grade optimization, blending and processing while managing and quantifying risk in strategic plans. Which ultimately leads to more metal production and higher NPVs than traditional methods. The third chapter applies an extension of the generalized simultaneous stochastic optimization formulation that considers capital expenditure (CapEx) options as part of the life-of-asset planning process. Enabling the case study to consider environmental issues relating to tailings management and model a tailings facility expansion. The application at a multi-element open pit mining complex simultaneously optimizes the extraction sequence, cut-off grades, and downstream decisions from two open-pits with a set of stockpiling options, an autoclave and a tailings storage facility. The project bottleneck is the tailings facility volume because it stores both process tails, and potentially acid-generating waste rock from the mines. Results show that, when given the option, the optimizer chooses to make a significant CapEx investment to expand the tailings storage facility 25% by volume. This expansion allows for a meaningful expansion of both pit limits, 40% by mass, resulting in an extended metal production and revenue generation horizon that yields 14% more gold ounces and a 4% improvement in NPV for the mining complex. The framework provides decision makers with a realistic evaluation of the investment's impact on the mining complex." --

Download or read book Stochastic Mining Supply Chain Optimization written by Iain Farmer and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The mining value chain comprises many inter-related components. When the individual components are optimized separately the value that can be generated from the enterprise suffers. Global optimization of the mining value chain requires a shift away from conventional methods of optimization and towards the simultaneous optimization of all related aspects, including: the mine's extraction sequence, material destination decisions, material transport decisions, and equipment capacities. Further, if these decisions are to be robust, they must be made while considering sources of uncertainty. The contributions included in this thesis are meant to help industry practitioners plan and evaluate mining projects under uncertainty. Specifically, the simultaneous integration of capacity decisions in long-term scheduling is meant to provide a tool that generates a NPV-optimal mine sequence and destination policy that is also synchronized with equipment capacities selected while being robust to two sources of uncertainty. Further, a schedule-based method of pushback design is developed in an effort to construct pushbacks from an optimal mine sequence. The method is applied in order to preserve as much of the sequence's optimality as possible while generating an operational mine plan." --

Download or read book Proceedings of the 27th International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection MPES 2018 written by Eleonora Widzyk-Capehart and published by Springer. This book was released on 2019-02-21 with total page 569 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This proceedings book presents research papers discussing the latest developments and findings in the fields of mining, machinery, automation and environmental protection. It includes contributions from authors from over 20 countries, with backgrounds in computer science, mining engineering, technology and management, and hailing from the government, industry and academia. It is of interest to scientists, engineers, consultants and government staff who are responsible for the development and implementation of innovative approaches, techniques and technologies in the mineral industries. Covering the latest advances in fundamental research, it also appeals to academic researchers.

Download or read book Applied Computer Sciences in Engineering written by Juan Carlos Figueroa-García and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-09-13 with total page 688 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Forth Workshop onEngineering Applications, WEA 2017, held in Cartagena, Colombia, inSeptember 2017. The 59 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selectedfrom156 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections such as computerscience; computational intelligence; simulation systems; internet of things; fuzzy sets and systems; power systems; logistics and operations management; miscellaneous applications.