Application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process to Select the Most Appropriate Mining Equipment for the Exploitation of Secondary Deposits

Abstract

A methodology is outlined for equipment selection for the extraction of secondary deposits, supported by the Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and applied to evaluate its impact on the mining system’s performance and the viability of the rock mining project. The equipment selection analysis affords us the means to explore selected options, taking technological and economic parameters into account, and opening the way for making the decision to begin or discontinue mining operations. The simulation results show how maintaining the mining site in a good condition impacts on the actual duty cycle of mining equipment, the time required to complete the hauling task and the operating costs.