Stockyard management integrated into short-term mine planning using dynamic block modeling

Abstract

Some open-pit mining operations rely heavily on stockyards as temporary storage areas. In addition to its conventional purpose, it is regarded as an excellent way for blending deposited material, which reduces fluctuation in the grade of material provided to the processing plant. However, traceability of the grade of material in the stockyard poses considerable issues due to the necessity for more specific information about the stored material. This study aims to create a block model for the stockyard using programming based on an integrated database, incorporating critical information from fleet management systems, geology, and topography. The model is generated in a widely compatible format that can be imported into any planning software for further analysis. Geostatistical estimation was excluded from this investigation due to the uneven distribution of mineral grades and the low precision of truck GPS. Subsequently, short-term planning for stockyard reclaiming is carried out using block modeling, primarily satisfying the beneficiation plant's production demands. Results showed 100% adherence to permissible limits of plant feed grade compared to 33% in the absence of incorporating variables. Properly integrating these components aims to improve operational efficiency and the quality of material input to the processing plant, aiding mining engineers in managing the stockyard and developing more robust short-term plans.