Determination of transition time from truck-shovel to an ipcc system considering economic viewpoint by system dynamics modelling

Abstract

The conventional transportation system of mining projects is one of the significant parts of mining designs, which is considered as the most costly part of the mining operation with approximately 30%–50% of the total operating costs. Accordingly, it is worth to rethink about other transportation system alternatives that have not been properly investigated. Fixed (FIPCC), Semi-Fixed (SFIPCC), Semi-Mobile (SMIPCC) and Fully Mobile In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (FMIPCC) systems, as the crushing and transportation methods in mines, can be occasionally an alternative for Truck-Shovel system. Despite the general thinking about the high CAPEX of these systems, they impose much lower OPEX to the project. This finding is investigated in the literature but in a static way, which the time is not considered through evaluation. This study presents an economic comparison of Truck-Shovel and IPCC systems in a dynamic condition by system dynamics modeling and defining an economic index (EcI) that allows the designers to have better understanding about the whole of the project. As a result, it was shown whereas Truck-Shovel system is preferable at the first five years of the project, FMIPCC system shows a higher economic index in the rest of the mine’s life.