Discrete Markov chains - An analytical tool for productivity analysis of surface mining systems

ABSTRACT Any mechanised production process can remain only one of the two states, e.g.; working state or non working state. If the transition from one state to the other can be defined as a stochastic process, the state probabilities of the process can be determined with the help of Markov modelling technique. Two cases of surface mine operations are considered to find the above state probabilities. The system effectiveness or production potential is then found out It is interesting to note that the combination of working and non-working states change the operating stripping ratio of the mine when compared to the designated stripping ratio of the mine.