Work

Model for Optimizing Waste-Haulage Systems in Open-Pit Mines (Trucks vs. IPCC System)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Waste haulage represents one of the most critical and cost-intensive operations in surface mining, accounting for up to 50% of the total operating costs. Under such operating conditions, the implementation of continuous systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) is an alternative to truck haulage, as it demonstrates a higher degree of economic efficiency. In a theoretical and practical sense, due to its direct impact on the extraction plan, defining the optimal position of the crusher and consequently the system of conveyors is often the most challenging problem of this methodology. This paper introduces an innovative approach to determining the optimum waste haulage configuration by comparing conventional truck-based transport with IPCC systems. The model is formulated as a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem, explicitly incorporating spatial dimensions and the relocation costs of semi-mobile crushers. The model situates the crusher in a way that reduces transfer costs throughout production periods and it has been tested on a hypothetical open pit.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app152413148

Authors: Ali Nasirinezhad, Dejan Stevanovic, Daniel Krzanovic, Mehdi Rahmanpour

Institutions: University of Belgrade, Mining and Metallurgy Institute Bor, University of Tehran

Language: English

Topic: Mining Techniques and Economics

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896