Optimal blending of mine production using goal programming and interactive graphics systems

ABSTRACT Although production scheduling in the mining context, is primarily concerned with the sequence of removal of the mining blocks, there is an inherent task of blending the run-of-mine materials before concentration. The objective is to mine in such a way that the resulting mix meets the quality and quantity specifications of the processing plant or the customer. The blending problem becomes even more important with regard to short/medium term mine planning, where the planner is concerned with reducing grade fluctuations in the run-of-mine material and how much to mine in order to satisfy demands in tonnage and composition. For instance, in the case of coal, economic and environmental considerations may dictate stringent limits on ash, sulphur, and BTU content. Blending of ores is also beneficial for a number of reasons: it can improve the efficiency of the processing plant, it minimises the need for selective mining hence, reducing mining costs and increasing mine production, it extends the ore res...