Planning and logistics in mining operations

Planning has been practised in various forms s i n c e the beginning of time, with sections of hierarchy either applauding or condemning the system, depending upon the r e s u l ts obtained. A consequence of this lack of uniform acceptance of Planning is that many a c t i v i t i e s s t i l l do not recognise the need to adequately i n v e s t i g a t e , document and evaluate information to enable informed and considered decisions to be made. L o g i s t i c a l Planning may be defined as the process by which management recognises and responds appropriatel y to changes either i n t e r n a l l y or in the external environment in which the Company operates. Without S t r a t e g i c Planning the resources of the Company cannot be e f f e c t i v e l y directed towards the achievement of the Corporate purposes and goals. This thesis attempts to highlight the areas of i n v e s t i g a t i o n required and one of the methods that may be used to c o n c i s e l y and coherentl y establ i s h a system of planning that w i l l allow Corporate goals to be achieved.