Paper Details

[ Downloads: 0 | Abstract Viewed: 325 | Pages: 9 ]

Abstract of the Article

Note: English CIVILICA is in its Trial Period so Full Texts can not be provided! Persian users can download it here

A Windows Software for Optimum Pit Design in Open Pit Mining With Variable Slope Angles

Author:
[ R. Khalokakaie ] - Assistant professor of Mining Engineering and Geophysics Faculty, Mining Engineering Dept., Shahroud University of Technology

Abstract:

Extraction of minerals by open pit mining requires very large investments and may extend over several decades. Before starting the operation, it is necessary to design the size and final shape of the pit in order to determine minable reserves and amount of waste to be removed. It is also needed to locate the waste dump and other surface facilities. The pit limit, which is a function of numerous variables, may be reevaluated many times during the life of the mine as design parameters change or more information is obtained during the operation. Therefore the use of a computer is essential in order to design the pit as rapidly as possible. With the advent and wide spread use of computers a number of algorithms such as various versions of the floating or moving cone, dynamic programming, Lerchs & Grossmann algorithm based on graph theory, Korobov algorithm and .... have been developed to determine the optimum ultimate pit limits. Among these algorithms, the floating cone approach which does not yield a true optimum pit in some cases is the simplest method and requires significantly less computing time than any other method to reach a solution. The Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm based on graph theory is the only method that always to yield the true optimum pit. The disadvantages of the algorithm are complexity of the method and require more computing time than other methods to reach a solution. This paper attempts to introduce a Windows software called “PitDesign” to determine the optimum pit limit with variable slope angles. The software is developed by the use of Borland C++ and is capable of creating revenue block model and determining the optimum pit limit by using floating cone method and Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm based on graph theory for complex, large and low grade deposits. It includes both graphical and numerical presentation of the input data and the results of optimization.

Keywords:

Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm Graph theory, Floating cone method, Optimum pit limit, Open pit mining