An optimization framework for block-cave mine planning

加拿大采矿业是北美增长最快的行业之一。根据加拿大的经济行动计划，能源和采矿业每年为政府提供超过300亿美元的收入--这些资金用于支持关键的社会项目，如医疗保健、教育和公共养老金。加拿大负有以可持续和最佳方式开发和利用其矿产资源的全球责任。当今采矿业的经济状况使得各大矿业公司都在增加大规模采矿方法的使用。他们预计，到2020年，全球约50%的铜产量将来自地下矿山。这是该行业的一大变化，从传统的露天开采转向地下开采。在现有的采矿方法中，崩落法因其成本低、生产率高而受到青睐。块洞采矿是深部露天矿关闭后继续开采的最佳解决方案之一。*本研究计划基于我们过去的研究成果，开发了块洞采矿规划的优化框架。这项研究直接为块状洞穴生产计划创造新的知识和创新的技术做出贡献。本研究的重点是运筹学在矿山规划中的应用。预计这项研究的成果将通过资源行业的开源软件原型应用程序向从业人员和最终用户传授知识，从而有助于负责任的资源开发。*这项研究的重要性可以从不同的角度来考察。一种基于有限数量有影响的参数的生产调度方法将导致乐观的生产调度。此外，仅依靠人工计划方法或基于启发式算法的计算机软件将导致挖掘计划不是最优的全局解。遗憾的是，矿业中常用的块洞调度方法和工具不能很好地处理可开采矿床最优生产调度的复杂性。此外，与块状洞穴规划相关的决策是基于预测岩体行为和矿石回收的模型。这些模型很少考虑冶金特性的变化或洞穴破碎对磨机性能的影响。*新技术的开发、优化和长期规划中的不确定性量化在减少块状洞穴项目的环境足迹和财务风险方面发挥着至关重要的作用。预计研究结果将产生可持续的最优块状洞穴计划。这项研究还将培训HQP，使其具备块洞矿设计和优化的关键能力。**

The Canadian mining industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in North America. According to Canada's Economic Action Plan the energy and mining sector provides over $30 billion a year in revenue to governments- money that supports critical social programs such as health care, education and public pensions. Canada has a global responsibility to develop and utilize its mineral resources sustainably and optimally. The economics of today's mining industry are such that the major mining companies are increasing the use of massive mining methods. They expect that, approximately 50 percent of the world's copper production will come from underground mines by 2020. It is a step change for the industry, from the traditional open-pit to a move underground. Among the mining methods available, caving methods are favored because of their low-cost and high-production rates. Block-cave mining is one of the best solutions for continuing the operation after shutting down the mine in deep open-pit mines.****The proposed research program builds on our past findings to develop an optimization framework for block-cave mine planning. This research directly contributes to the creation of new knowledge, and innovative technologies for block-cave production planning. This research is focused on applications of operations research in the context of mine planning. It is anticipated that the outcome of this research will contribute to responsible resource development by transferring knowledge to practitioners and end-users through prototype open-source software applications in the resources industry. ****The importance of this study can be examined from different perspectives. A production scheduling methodology that is based on a limited number of influential parameters will lead to optimistic production schedules. Also, relying only on manual planning methods or computer software that is based on heuristic algorithms will lead to mine schedules that are not the optimal global solution. Unfortunately, common methodologies and tools used in mining industry for block-cave scheduling are not adequate in dealing with the complexity of the optimal production scheduling of mineable deposits. Moreover, decisions related to block-cave planning are based on models that predict the behavior of rock masses and the recovery of ore. Rarely do these models account for variation in metallurgical characteristics or the influence of cave fragmentation on mill performance.****Development of new technologies, optimization, and uncertainty quantification in long-term planning play a vital role in reducing environmental footprint and financial risk of block-cave projects. The outcome of the research is expected to result in sustainable optimal block-cave plans. This research will also result in training HQP with key capabilities in block-cave mine design and optimization.**