The multi-period open pit mine production scheduling problem is formulated as a large scale linear programming problem using the block concept. A solution procedure is developed through decomposition and partitioning of the subproblem into elementary profit routing problems for which an algorithm is presented. Many of the traditional mine planning concepts are discussed and suggestions for improvement through use of the techniques developed in this thesis are given. In the development of the solution procedure, those constraints which govern the mining system are considered as the master problem. The constraints which dictate the sequence of extraction are used as the subproblem. The properties of the single period subproblem and its dual are discussed, and the dual problem is shown to be equivalent to a bipartite maximum flow problem for which an algorithm is given. The Multi-period subproblem algorithm is developed by partitioning by stages and using the properties of the single period subproblem. This treatment allows optimization of the complete mining-concentrating-refining system over the entire planning horizon and permits the system to dictate how and when to process a block of material. (Author).

Building on the success of its 2006 predecessor, this 3rd edition of Open Pit Mine Planning and Design has been both updated and extended, ensuring that it remains the most complete and authoritative account of modern open pit mining available. Five new chapters on unit operations have been added, the revenues and costs chapter has been substantial

This edited volume includes all papers presented at the 22nd International Conference on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES), Dresden, Germany, 2013. Mineral Resources are needed for almost all processes of modern life, whilst the mining industry is facing strict requirements regarding efficiency and sustainability. The research papers in this volume deal with the latest developments and research results in the fields of mining, machinery, automatization and environment protection.

Developments in Geographic Information Technology have raised the expectations of users. A static map is no longer enough; there is now demand for a dynamic representation. Time is of great importance when operating on real world geographical phenomena, especially when these are dynamic. Researchers in the field of Temporal Geographical Information Systems (TGIS) have been developing methods of incorporating time into geographical information systems. Spatio-temporal analysis embodies spatial modelling, spatio-temporal modelling and spatial reasoning and data mining. Advances in Spatio-Temporal Analysis contributes to the field of spatio-temporal analysis, presenting innovative ideas and examples that reflect current progress and achievements.

Long-term production scheduling design is a very important part of mining because it determines the economic outcome of a project. It is a very complex and difficult problem basically due to its large scale. Much effort has been devoted to solving the optimum pit scheduling problem, but there has been no success in developing a scheduling method to give optimum results in maximizing net present value of a mining project. It is already known that the optimum result for the scheduling problem can be obtained using a mathematical programming method such as Mixed Integer Programming. However, it is not possible to formulate the scheduling problem as a mathematical programming model since the number of variables required for the mathematical model is too great to be solved by today's available computer technology. Therefore, a methodology is required to combine, or aggregate, the mining blocks and to decrease the number of variables in scheduling without losing the optimality. Therefore, fundamental tree concept is introduced in this thesis research to combine the blocks. A fundamental tree is defined as any combination of blocks such that: 1. the blocks can be profitably mined, 2. the blocks obey the slope constraints and, 3. there is no proper subset of the chosen blocks that meets 1 and 2. Linear Programming (LP) formulation is developed as a mathematical model to find a set of fundamental trees that exist for a deposit. Since the blocks are combined to form the fundamental trees, the number of variables required for the scheduling model is decreased significantly. This decrease in the number of variables makes it possible to mathematically formulate the scheduling problem.

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.