Patent · US Active

Mining optimisation

US7853439B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
0References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2007
Grant dateDec 14, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 11, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W90/00
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method, system and computer program for modelling an optimal mine plan is disclosed. The life of mine is divided into a plurality of increasing lengths of time (FIGS. 2 and 3) and performing optimisation steps, with each step being performed once for a predetermined time period for the remaining life of mine. Material may be stockpiled or may be sent direct to product or to waste without any stockpiling. A decision (block 10 in FIG. 1) is made as to which material is sent to product in each time period for the remaining life of mine. In each predetermined time period, material with a grade greater than a marginal grade that is not sent to produce is sent to stockpile and all material less than a marginal grade is sent to waste (14). In the remaining life of mine, after the predetermined period, it is required that all material not sent to produce be sent to waste and determining an initial movement of material to and from the stockpile and to and from the mine to product over the life of mine in increasing lengths of time.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.