Mixed-Integer Linear Programming formulation for block-cave sequence optimisation Online publication date: Mon, 16-Jul-2012
by Yashar Pourrahimian; Hooman Askari-Nasab; Dwayne Tannant
International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IJMME), Vol. 4, No. 1, 2012
Abstract: Relying only on manual planning methods or computer software based on heuristic algorithms will lead to mine schedules that are not the optimal global solution. The objective of this paper is to develop a practical optimisation framework to schedule production for caving operations. We present two Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulations for the long-term production scheduling of block caving. First, we solve the problem at the drawpoint level. Then, we aggregate drawpoints into larger units referred to as clusters. The formulations are developed, implemented and verified in the TOMLAB/CPLEX environment. The production scheduler aims to maximise the Net Present Value (NPV) of the mining operation while the mine planner has control over the development rate, vertical mining rate, lateral mining rate, mining capacity, maximum number of active drawpoints and advancement direction. Application and comparison of the models for production scheduling using real mine data over 15 periods are presented.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering (IJMME):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook