Multi-objective Mathematical Programming Framework for Integrated Oil Sands Mine Planning and Tailings Disposal Optimization

In oil sands mining, tailings are voluminous unwanted by-products generated from extracting the desired mineral from the mined ore. Dyke construction and backfilling activities require well-managed techniques to facilitate progressive reclamation at the earliest opportunity. This directly affects th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mining engineering Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 1355 - 1374
Main Authors: Maremi, Ahlam, Ben-Awuah, Eugene, Askari-Nasab, Hooman
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2021
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc
Subjects:
Case studies
Cell size
Cells
Construction
Cost control
Economics
Engineering
Goal programming
Materials Engineering
Mathematical programming
Metallic Materials
Mine tailings
Mineral Resources
Mining
Multiple objective analysis
Net present value
Oil sands
Optimization
Production scheduling
Profitability
Reclamation
Schedules
Sustainability
Tailings
Waste disposal
Waste management
Waste management
Oil sands mining
Open-pit mine planning optimization
Automated production targeting
Tailing-cells
Goal programming
ISSN:2524-3462, 0026-5187, 2524-3470
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In oil sands mining, tailings are voluminous unwanted by-products generated from extracting the desired mineral from the mined ore. Dyke construction and backfilling activities require well-managed techniques to facilitate progressive reclamation at the earliest opportunity. This directly affects the sustainability and profitability of the mining operation. This research introduces a goal programming framework that simultaneously optimizes the (1) production schedule with limited duration stockpiling and directional mining; (2) dyke construction schedule; (3) size, shape, and location of tailings-cells; and (4) mining and processing production targets. The results show that in creating in-pit tailings-cells designs, decreasing the mining-cells volume and increasing the number of mining-cells improve the net present value of the operation due to increased operational flexibility. The model generated a uniform schedule for ore and practical tailings-cells designs for backfilling activities. Integrating tailings-cells optimization into oil sands mine planning and waste management ensures the efficient use of in-pit mined-out areas required for sustainable operations.
ISSN:2524-3462
0026-5187
2524-3470
DOI:10.1007/s42461-021-00418-7