A non-linear programming model for open-pit mine equipment selection.

A mathematical model based on a non-linear programming problem was developed for loading and haulage equipment selection in open-pit mines. The model provides equipment selection optimisation as part of production scheduling based on minimising cost. The main objective is to provide assistance in the selection of the correct size and number of equipment units. The model integrates capital and operating cost in an objective function, and incorporates constraints related to shovel and truck annual productivity, fleet matching and number of trucks per shovel. The model was verified in studies carried out at the number 2 anomaly at the Gol-e- Gohar iron ore mine in Iran where the optimum mining fleet was determined to be 45 trucks with a capacity of 22 t and 6 shovels with a capacity of 2 m3.
A mathematical model based on a non-linear programming problem was developed for loading and haulage equipment selection in open-pit mines. The model provides equipment selection optimisation as part of production scheduling based on minimising cost. The main objective is to provide assistance in the selection of the correct size and number of equipment units. The model integrates capital and operating cost in an objective function, and incorporates constraints related to shovel and truck annual productivity, fleet matching and number of trucks per shovel. The model was verified in studies carried out at the number 2 anomaly at the Gol-e- Gohar iron ore mine in Iran where the optimum mining fleet was determined to be 45 trucks with a capacity of 22 t and 6 shovels with a capacity of 2 m3.