Exploration and Mining

A NOVEL APPROACH TO OPEN PIT LIMIT OPTIMIZATION

M.Sc. Student. M. Noroozi1

Assist. Prof. Dr. S. E. Jalali1
Assist. Prof. Dr. A. Y. Bafghi2
1
Faculty of Mining Eng., Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology,
Shahrood, Iran
2
Dept. of Mining Eng., Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

ABSTRACT
There are some limitations and constraints in application of algorithms developed to
optimize open pit limits. Therefore, it is normal to develop new algorithms to decrease
existing limitations and increase their capabilities. In this paper, the key group concept
which mainly use for stability slope analysis is used to develop a new algorithm named
“KG-PLO” to optimize open pit limits. The KG-PLO is implemented on an especial
type of the economic block model of the mining area. The algorithm can present the true
optimal limit because it is rigorous and have a mathematical proof. Since the KG-PLO
enjoys a sequential procedure, the logic iteration is not too much. A computer program
in Mathematica media is written to implement the KG-PLO algorithm.
Keywords: Block Theory, Key Group, Pit Limits, Open pit, Optimization.

325