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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Abstract
MineSight Schedule Optimizer (MSSO) is a new mine scheduling tool developed by Mintec, Inc.
MSSO finds the best cut mining sequence while achieving the objective and satisfying product quality
and quantity requirements as well as physical constraints. In this paper, we introduced the prototypes
of the scheduling problems that can be solved by MSSO, MSSO panels, report, prep work required,
workflow, and related issues.

Introduction
MineSight currently has four packages for production scheduling: MineSight Strategic Planner
(MSSP), MineSight Economic Planner (MSEP), MineSight Interactive Planner (MSIP), and
MineSight Activity Planner (MSAP). MSSP and MSEP are for long-term planning, and MSIP and
MSAP are for short-term planning. Two other packages are under internal beta testing and will be
released soon. They are MineSight Haulage (MSHaulage) and MSSO. MSHaulage can be used to
build road profiles and cycle time files. MSSO can be used to find the optimum cuts mining sequence
in each period.

What Is MSSO?
MSSO is a new tool for short- and medium-term planning. As Figure 1 shows, suppose we want
to mine cuts from n models. These models can have distinct material types and grade items. For
destinations, we have m mills, s stockpiles, p leach pads, and/or d waste dumps. Each destination has
its own capacity and feed material quality requirements. In each period, we need to have enough feed
materials for each destination and not exceed its capacity. We have shovel and truck fleets which can
provide a known number of service hours. Our goal is to use the available shovels and trucks to mine
the cuts from the models and send them to appropriate destinations to achieve our objective while
satisfying product quality and quantity requirements as well as physical and technical constraints. The
objective may be to maximize net value, metal content, or minimize stripping ratio, haulage distance,
and truck hours. This kind of short- or medium-production scheduling problem can be solved with the
new product MSSO.

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

Figure 1 Graphical Presentation of MSSO Formulation

Workflow
Figure 2 shows an entire workflow of MineSight scheduling packages. Some of the processes are
optional.
Generally, we start from long-term planning, and then do medium- and short-term scheduling.
Following is a step by step walkthrough of this workflow:
1) For long-term planning, we use MSEP and MSSP. With MSEP, we design the pits and
pushbacks. After we have the pits, we use MSSP to schedule the benches to mine in each period
(~1 year).
2) Under the guidance of long-term planning, we then use MSIP to design cuts and calculate the
reserves on those benches and pushbacks provided by long-term plan. MSIP saves those cuts
into AGDM databases.
3) Once the cuts are ready, MSHaulage can be used to design destinations and calculate the
shortest cycle time from each cut to each destination. The cycle time data will be saved back to
AGDM databases.
4) MSSO imports cuts data from AGDM databases, sets up objectives, constraints, and economic
parameters for each period and then does schedule calculations. After getting optimum
schedules, we can check the schedule report. If we are not satisfied with the results, go back to
adjust constraints and/or economic parameters, then run schedule calculations again. We repeat
the above process until we get satisfactory schedules. Then we save the obtained schedules
back to AGDM databases. MSSO schedules give the mining sequence of each of the cuts to be
mined in each period.
5) After we get period-by-period schedules from MSSO and save them to AGDM databases, we
can then either go to MSIP to visualize those schedules, or export the cuts in a period to MSAP
for more detailed scheduling. The cuts mining sequence decided by MSSO can help lay out

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


the cuts on a MSAP Gann-Chart. MSAP can add activities (drilling, blasting, mining, and
hauling) and calculate duration of each activity and the whole cut.
6) MSAP finally saves detailed plan to AGDM databases. MSAP also provides schedule report.

Figure 2 Workflow of MineSight Scheduling Products

Prep Work
To run MSSO, we need to design cuts, add required attributes, and assign cut precedence. There are
also a minimum of software requirements for your computer.

Cut Designs

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There are three methods to design cuts. First, we can use MSIP to manually design cuts on each
bench. This is the most time-consuming method but most flexible. We can control the size and shape of
each cut.
Second, we can use MSIP Autoslicer to automatically generate cuts with similar volume/tonnage on
each bench. To do this, we can use MineSight 3D (MS3D) to create a contour along each bench toe/
crest, and then take each contour as a big polygon and use Autoslicer to generate small cuts within it.
Third, we provide a script called AutoCutGeneration.py, which is very similar to the second
approach, but can generate the small cuts on all benches in one pass.

Required Attributes and Types


In addition to the default attributes, MSSO requires that each cut should have the following
customized attributes:
Phase (string) defines the phase to which a cut belongs.
Digline (integer) defines the shovel associated with a cut. The cuts on the same bench within
a phase can form a digline. The cuts on the same digline may be mined by the same shovel.
Each bench within a phase may have several diglines. The cuts on different diglines can be
mined simultaneously if physically and technically allowable.

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Direction (integer) defines the mining order of the cuts on the same digline. Note the
direction defines the physical mining order of cuts on the same digline, but these cuts may be
mined in different periods.
Precedence (string) defines those cuts that must be mined prior to a cut. Preceding cuts
include those on the same digline, immediately above, same bench but across phases, and same
bench but across diglines.
Status (integer) defines the status and period a cut is to be mined. Status 0 stands for unmined cuts, and a positive status value indicates the period in which this cut will be mined.
Mining Sequence (integer) defines the mining sequence of a cut in a period.
Cycle Time (float) defines the shortest cycle time from a cut to the ramp exit point on the
bench.
Detailed description of these attributes and how to set them up will be available in the MSSO help doc.

Minimum Software Requirements


The following software is required to run MSSO:
Lindo API V5.0 Runtime License.
Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or higher.
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Walkthrough of MSSO Panels


MSSO currently has six panels each with sub-panels. Lets walk though these panels one by one.
Data Sources Panel
Figure 3 shows the Data Sources panel. In this panel, user can add any models as needed, and for each
model, user can:
Choose the Microsoft SQL Server, Authentication method, and AGDM database
name.
Choose the IP plan, area, and material set from which to load the cuts.
Map customized attributes to MSSO - required attributes.
Define phase relationships.
Enable cut precedence and input parameters.
Choose measure system.

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Figure 3 Data Sources

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Material Mapping Panel
Figure 4 shows the Material Mapping panel. In this panel, user can:
Define the number of mills, leaches, stockpile and waste dumps.
Map each material type within a grade range to a schedule material.
Above material mapping can vary with periods (by checking the checkbox at the bottom).

Figure 4 Material
Mapping

Stockpiles Panel
Figure 5 shows the Stockpile panel. If any stockpiles are defined on the Material Mapping panel, the
user can:
Define the mills that can accept materials reclaimed from a stockpile. A stockpile can provide
materials for one or multiple mills.
Define the reclaiming method for each stockpile. Reclaiming methods include first-in-first-out
(FIFO), first-in-last-out (FILO), or average.

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Figure 5 Stockpiles

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Constraints Panel
There are eight sub-panels on the constraint panel.
Schedule Materials/Destinations Constraints
Figure 6 shows the schedule materials/destination constraint panel. In this panel, the user can define
the lower and upper limits of:
Materials sent to mills, leaches, and waste dumps in one period.
Materials reclaimed from each stockpile.
Total materials sent to all mills.
Total materials sent to all waste dumps.
Total materials sent to all mills and waste dumps.
Above schedule materials constraints/limits can vary with periods.

Figure 6 Constraints
Schedule Materials

Grade Constraints
Figure 7 shows the grade constraint panel. In this panel, the user can define the lower and upper
limits of:
Each grade item in each mill.
Each grade item in all mills.
Grade items can be either average or accumulative.
Above grade constraints can vary with periods.

Figure 7 Constraints Grades

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Ratio Constraints
Figure 8 shows the ratio constraint panel. In this panel, the user can add, remove, and define the lower
and upper limits of:
Grade ratio in each mill.
Grade ratio in all mills.
Stripping ratio in each period.
Above ratio constraints can vary with periods.

Figure 8 Constraints Ratios

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Equipment Hours Constraints


Figure 9 shows equipment hour constraints panel. In this panel, the user can define the lower and
upper limits of truck, shovel, and auxiliary equipment hours used to haul materials to:
Each mill.
Each waste dump.
Each stockpile.
Each leach pad.
All mills.
All waste dumps.
All stockpiles.
All destinations.
Above equipment hour constraints can vary with periods.

Figure 9 Constraints Equipment Hours

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Vertical Advance Rates Constraints
Figure 10 shows the vertical advance rates (VAR) panel. In this panel, the user can define the upper
limit of bench vertical advance rate in:
Entire model.
Each phase in each model.
The VAR is always counted from the top bench down. For model VAR, the bench is counted from the
top bench of the whole model. For phase VAR, the bench is counted from the top bench in this phase.
The lower limit of VAR will be ignored.
If we do not want to mine from a phase, then set VAR upper limit of that bench to 0.
Above VAR constraints can vary with periods.

Figure 10 Constraints
Vertical Advance Rates

Other Constraints
Figure 11 shows other constraints. In this panel, the user can define the total number of cuts to mine
in a period.

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Figure 11
Constraints
Others

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Phase Precedence
Figure 12 shows the phase precedence panel. In this panel, the user can define the physical
relationships between phases. For example:
PH1 is mined after N/A defines a precedence relationship that cuts on PH1 are not
constrained by other phases.
PH2 is mined after PH1 defines a precedence relationship that cuts on PH2 can not be mined
until all the cuts on the same bench in PH1 are completed.

Figure 12
Constraints Phase
Precedence

Objectives Panel
Figure 13 shows the objectives panel. In this panel, the user can define the objective in each period.
The objective can be to Minimize/Maximize:
Stripping ratio.
Net value.
Metal content.
Haulage hours.
Above objective constraints can vary with periods.

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Figure 13 Objectives Panel

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool


Economics Panel
There are currently three sub-panels on the economics panel.
General Economics
Figure 14 shows the general economics panel. In this panel, user can input annual discount rate and
haulage and loading cost.
MSSO currently uses a simplified approach to calculate the haulage and loading cost. This approach
calculates the cost based on the tonnage of materials being moved. This approach ignores the haulage
distance differences when sending materials to different destinations. This is not acceptable for some
scheduling problems. In later versions, we will calculate the haulage and loading costs based on cycle
time prepared by MSHaulage.

Figure 14
Economics
General
Economics

Fixed Costs
Figure 15 shows the fixed costs economics panel. In this panel, the user can input:
Mining cost for each mill.
Mining cost for each stockpile.
Mining cost for each waste dump.
Processing cost for each mill.
Reclaiming cost for each stockpile.
The cost unit can be chosen from the dropdown list. MSSO will do the unit conversions internally.

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Figure 15
Economics Fixed
Costs

Destination Economics
Figure 16 shows the destination economics panel. In this panel, user can input the recovery and selling
price of each mineral/metal in each mill.
If a grade item does not contribute to revenue then set its price and recovery to 0.

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Figure 16
Economics
Destination
Economics

Optimization
Figure 17 shows the optimization engine panel. In this panel, the user can:
Choose the schedule start and end periods.
Choose the optimization engine. MSSO currently supports only Lindo API 5.0. Future versions
will support CPLEX and/or DASH optimization engines.
Choose the time or iteration limit for selected optimization engine. In some cases, an
optimization process may take quite a long time. If we want to terminate an optimization
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process after a certain amount of time or iterations, we can input a time limit (seconds) or
iteration limit in the corresponding textbox. If any of the limits are reached before Lindo API
obtains the optimum solution, MSSO will provide a best feasible solution.
If no feasible solution is available for some period, MSSO will help determine those constraints that
need to be changed (see audit file). After adjusting the violating constraints, the user can run the schedule
calculation again. This time, MSSO will remember the period at which the last calculations stopped.

Figure 17
Optimization

Report
The MSSO report tool is very flexible. It can be used to do reserve analysis before and after schedule
calculations are completed.
With this report tool, the user can generate miscellaneous reports by using different filters. The
number and sequence of columns in each report can be defined by the user. Each report can be exported
to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with the same format as the report flat table view.
As a summary, the user can generate reports filtering by:
Periods (Figure 18).
Phases (Figure 19).
Benches (Figure 20).
Schedule Material / Destinations and Product Qualities (Figure 21).
Equipment Hours (Figure 22).
A combination of above filters can be used to generate reports so only cuts in selected periods, models,
phases, and benches will be reported. Column-wise, only selected schedule materials, product qualities,
equipment hours, and customized cut attributes as well as default attributes will be reported.
A summary (the last row) will always be provided for each report. For materials, tonnage, and schedule
materials, the summary figure is the sum of all the cuts in that column. For grade item, the summary
figure is the average grade of all the cuts in that grade column. For accumulative grade item, the
summary figure is the sum of the accumulative grade items for all the cuts.
In each report, a column called Mining Sequence is always reported (Figure 23).

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Figure 18 Reports Filter by Periods

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Figure 19 Reports Filter by Phases

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

Figure 20 Reports Filter by Benches

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Figure 21 Reports Filter by Schedule Materials and Product Qualities

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

Figure 22 Reports Filter by Equipment Hours

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Figure 23 Reports Mining Sequence

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

Results
MSSO scheduling results can be saved back to AGDM databases so they can be visualized in MSIP.
Figure 24 shows the results of a 6-periods schedule obtained in MSSO. It shows:
Red-colored cuts will be mined in period 1.
Orange-colored cuts in period 2.
Yellow-colored cuts in period 3.
Green-colored cuts in period 4.
Blue-colored cuts in period 5.
Purple-colored cuts in period 6.
Figure 25~26 are 2-D and 3-D geometry views of the schedule results for period 4. The label on each
cut is the mining sequence of that cut.

Figure 24 IP Visualization of Cuts in Period 1 ~ 6

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Figure 25 MSSO Results

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MineSight Schedule Optimizer A New Tool

Figure 26 MSSO Results

Conclusions
MSSO is a new tool that can be used with MSIP, MSHaulage and MSAP for short- to medium-term
scheduling. It generates schedules that not only achieve production objectives, but also satisfy product
quality and quantity constraints, destination capacities, equipment usages, blending constraints, stockpile
related constraints, as well as other operational constraints. It can handle unlimited number of cuts,
models, material types, grade items, and destinations as long as enough memory is available.

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