Open Pit Optimization
Open Pit Optimization
7
1. Size of a Mining Operation
2. Ultimate Pit Limit – Manual Procedure
3. Ultimate Pit Limit – Floating Cone Algorithm
4. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 2D Algorithm
5. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 3D Algorithm
6. Ultimate Pit Limit – Pseudo Flow Method
7. Ultimate Pit Limit – Software Applications
8
• Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
9
1. Size of a Mining Operation
2. Ultimate Pit Limit – Manual Procedure
3. Ultimate Pit Limit – Floating Cone Algorithm
4. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 2D Algorithm
5. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 3D Algorithm
6. Ultimate Pit Limit – Pseudo Flow Method
7. Ultimate Pit Limit – Software Applications
10
Method of Sections
𝑉𝑤 24.65𝑚3
Hypothetical section showing current pit outline OSR (Overall Stripping Ratio) corresponds to ultimate pit limit. 𝑶𝑺𝑹 = = = 0.52
𝑉𝑜 47.00𝑚3
• Sec tion thic kness =1m
𝑉 $1.90 per m3 of ore
• Slope angle =45° BESR (Breakeven Stripping Ratio) corresponds to ultimate pit limit. 𝑩𝑬𝑺𝑹 = = = 1.90
𝑆𝐶 $1.00 per m3 of waste
• Value of ore =V ($ per m3 of ore) =$1.90
• Stripping c ost =SC ($ per m3 of waste) =$1.00 𝑁𝑉 = $1.90 per m3 of ore x 47.00 m3 – $1.00 per m3 of waste x 24.65 m3 =$64.65
𝑉𝑤1 7.50
𝐼𝑆𝑅1 = = = 1.5 ➔ ISR=Inc remental Stripping Ratio
𝑉𝑜1 5.00
OSR (Overall Stripping Ratio)
𝑁𝑉1 = $1.90 per m3 of ore x 5.00 m3 – $1.00 per m3 of waste x 7.50 m3 =$2.00
𝑉𝑤 24.65 + 7.50 + 8.40 + 9.45
𝑂𝑆𝑅 = = = 0.81
𝑉𝑤2 8.40 𝑉𝑜 47.00 + 5.00 + 5.00 + 5.00
𝐼𝑆𝑅2 = = = 1.68
𝑉𝑜2 5.00
OSR and ISR at ultimate pit limit relationship
𝑁𝑉1 = $1.90 per m3 of ore x 5.00 m3 – $1.00 per m3 of waste x 8.40 m3 =$1.10
OSR is always less than ISR at ultimate pit limit
11
Method of Sections
Economic Data
𝐕 = −𝑚
Block Grades (Cu%)
𝐕 = $ − 𝟏𝟎
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 Economic block model
m+c 10 + 15
g= = = 0.0079 = 0.79% 3.13 1.15 0.78
p−r y 4,000 − 500 0.9
-10.00 42.73 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
Block Grades (Cu%) above breakeven cut-off grade
-10.00 45.88 42.73 11.23 -10.00
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 73.60 11.23 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00
3.13 1.15 0.78
12
Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
13
Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
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Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
15
Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
16
Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
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Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
18
Ultimate pit @ slope angle =45°
At ultimate pit
• Overall undiscounted value =$167.40 per tonne
• Overall stripping ratio (SR) =6/6 =1; (a ratio that relates the waste to be removed to mine ore)
19
Method of Sections
Economic Data Value of an ore block
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 42.73 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 45.88 42.73 11.23 -10.00
𝑚+𝑐 10 + 15
𝑔= = = 0.0079 = 0.79% 3.13 1.15 0.78 73.60 11.23 -10.00
𝑝−𝑟 𝑦 4,000 − 500 0.9
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 42.73 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 45.88 42.73 11.23 -10.00
20
Method of Sections
Economic Data Value of an ore block
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 110.45 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 116.75 110.45 47.45 -10.00
𝑚+𝑐 10 + 15
𝑔= = = 0.0040 = 0.40% 3.13 1.15 0.78 172.19 47.45 24.14
𝑝−𝑟 𝑦 7,500 − 500 0.9
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 110.45 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 116.75 110.45 47.45 -10.00
21
Method of Sections
Economic Data Value of an ore block
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 19.51 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 21.59 19.51 -10.00 -10.00
𝑚+𝑐 10 + 15
𝑔= = = 0.0121 = 1.21% 3.13 1.15 0.78 39.79 -10.00 -10.00
𝑝−𝑟 𝑦 2,800 − 500 0.9
0.00 2.15 0.08 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 -10.00 19.51 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00 -10.00
0.00 2.25 2.15 1.15 0.00 -10.00 21.59 19.51 -10.00 -10.00
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23
1. Size of a Mining Operation
2. Ultimate Pit Limit – Manual Procedure
3. Ultimate Pit Limit – Floating Cone Algorithm
4. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 2D Algorithm
5. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 3D Algorithm
6. Ultimate Pit Limit – Pseudo Flow Method
7. Ultimate Pit Limit – Software Applications
24
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the -2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
• If sum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more bloc ks may be removed
25
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
• Remove a block with positive economic value
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the -2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
Value = +1.0
• If sum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more bloc ks may be removed
26
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
• Remove a bloc k with positive economic value
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the
-2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
Value = +1.0
• Ifsum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more bloc ks may be removed
27
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
• Remove a bloc k with positive economic value
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the -2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
Value = +2.0
• If sum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more blocks may be removed
28
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
• Remove a bloc k with positive economic value
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the -2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
Value = -2.0
• If sum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more blocks may be removed
29
Ultimate pit limit identifies the size or extent of extraction -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
Objective - Maximises the undiscounted value of future cash flows
-2 -2 4 -2 -2
Constraints - Satisfies the precedence – slope constraint
7 1 -3
Steps of the algorithm Value = +2.0
• Float the cone from left to right along the top row of blocks.
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
• Remove a bloc k with positive economic value
• After traversing the first row, move the apex of the cone to the -2 -2 4 -2 -2
rows below
7 1 -3
• Float the cone from left to right, stop when it encounters a block
with positive economic value
Value = +3.0
• If sum of the economic values of all blocks falling within the cone
SR = 7/3
is positive (or zero), remove these blocks, otherwise, float the
cone to find the next block with positive economic value
• Continue the floating process moving from left to right and top to
bottom until no more blocks may be removed
30
Mining too little – mutual support is missing Mining too much
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-2 -2 -2 -2 -2 5 -2 -2
10 -3 10 5
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 5 -2 -2 5 -2 -2
10 -3 10 10 -3 10 5 5
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-2 -2 -2 -2 -2
10 -3 10
Value = +3.0
SR = 12/2 = 6
31
Combination of both problems
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5 5 -4 5 5 -4 5
3 3 3
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
Value = +5.0
SR = 5/2 = 2.5
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1. Size of a Mining Operation
2. Ultimate Pit Limit – Manual Procedure
3. Ultimate Pit Limit – Floating Cone Algorithm
4. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 2D Algorithm
5. Ultimate Pit Limit – Lerchs Grossmann (LG) 3D Algorithm
6. Ultimate Pit Limit – Pseudo Flow Method
7. Ultimate Pit Limit – Software Applications
33
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 3
-2
34
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3
3 3
-2
35
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 -2
3 3
-2
1
36
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2 -1
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 -2 6
3 3
-2
1
37
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2 -1
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 -2 6
3 3
-2
1
38
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2 -1 5
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 -2 6
3 3
-2
1
39
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2 -1 5
2 5 -4 5
4 -5 4
3 -2 6
3 3
-2
1
40
Example 1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
5 -4 5
3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 2 -1 5
2 5 -4 5 Value = +5.0
4 -5 4
3 -2 6 SR = 5/2 = 2.5
3 3
-2
1
41
Example 2
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
-2 -2 4 -2 -2
7 1 -3
𝒊ൗ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
𝒋
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 1 -1
-1 -1 -1 2 3 2
2 -2 -2 4 -2 -2 Value = +3.0
-3 -3 3 -3 -1
-4 -4 3 1 1
SR = 7/3
3 7 1 -3
4 4 -6
0 4 -2
42