Optimisation of Waste-Dump Lift Heights for Pre-strip Operations

The optimisation of waste dump design parameters is a vital aspect that has the potential to significantly influence operational costs within mining operations. This research study investigates the effects waste dump lift height has on a truck-shovel coal mining operation. The analysis focusses upon simulating various dump lift heights in a truck-shovel operation in order to determine the optimal overall dump lift height. The dump lift height is the height to which each dump level or lift is constructed. The optimal height will therefore be determined by plotting the simulated cost results for each height and undergoing a comparative study. Additional factors incorporated within the simulation results include the cost of haulage, and ancillary equipment works (dozers, graders and water cartsto maintain the dump and construct haul roads to each new dump lift. Generating results from the research analysis to closely resemble real world applications, current mine data is incorporated within each simulation, including dig, dump and equipment data obtained from King 2 North pit of the Meandu mine located in Queensland.