Optimization techniques for planning orebody development

There are various Optimization techniques available and lots of literature has been published about them but one must know that what are the key issues associated with them that has to be resolved before applying a certain >Optimization Technique. One of these techniques is Lerchs and Grossmann Algorithm. It is one of the important Optimization technique used for Open Pit Mining. A real life Copper data was tested on with Lerchs and Grossmann Algorithm. The pit shells obtained from the algorithm were analysed and their errors were resolved by providing various alternative techniques along. A detailed analysis of the algorithm was done by considering some hypothetical data (extra waste blocks) that was introduced in the data that helped the algorithm to omit errors. During analysis of the algorithm, the original data and the data with hypothetical waste blocks were considered as two separate scenarios. Since Block Caving was also much suitable for the deposit, an optimization technique is developed that gives the Stope extents for the block caving Operation which takes only economical ore into account. A self-developed code was used in optimizing the block caving extents that was also used for determining Ore Boundary. Then both of the Optimization techniques are compared with the help of Net Present Values obtained from each block. After comparing another optimization technique was developed i.e. Transition from Open Pit Mining to Underground Mining. Since NPV from both Mining methods are obtained, they can be utilized to get an idea that determines the optimal stage where Open Pit Mining becomes un-economical and the Mining operation switches to Underground Mining method. It was found that profit gained from Open Pit Operations is much higher than the Underground Mining Operation. And still when we use surface mining, we can switch to underground Mining method at a stage where surface mining is no longer feasible. Thus surface mining gives us more options than Underground Mining. Dealing with the Optimization methods, a new algorithm is also developed. The project is named as "Know Your Limits". In the project, an algorithm is developed which finds the Boundary of the ore. The algorithm has lots of applications apart from finding the ore boundary. It was used to find the stope extents of block caving mining method. A brief outline is provided about the application of the algorithm