Rating of mineral reserves based on their availability for extraction with regard the dynamics of mining operations in open pit mines

The article addresses a yet open question of rating of mineral reserves based on their availability for extraction by open pit mining of increased and steeply dipping ore bodies. The deficit of stripped, delineated by drilling and available reserves creates serious problems in mining operations, up to the total arrest of performance of an open pit mine. On the other hand, the superfluity of stripped, delineated by drilling and available reserves is also unwanted. In both cases, an open pit mine suffers from a considerable economic damage. For this reason, it is important to understand and account for the dynamics of change in the reserves as mining front is advanced in an open pit mine. The aim of this study is to expose and describe the connection of mineral reserves of all three categories of availability in time and space in the assigned conditions. The research methodology includes the analysis and estimate of the problem, selection of the optimality criterion for decision-making, schematic representation and analytical description of turnover of reserves in an open pit mine, and the solution of practical problems connected with rating of mineral reserves. The process of turnover of mineral reserves in an open pit mine is studied in detail, described and formalized. This made a framework for the more accurate formulation and solution of the problem connected with optimized rating of mineral reserves in an operating open mine. The article illustrates how the lack of the available reserves invites a real danger in the successful performance of mining. Accordingly, the rating of the available reserves is more important than the other two categories. The optimized size of the available reserves is determined as the minimum total cost-and-loss function in keeping and replenishment of mineral reserves in the quantity sufficient for reliable and steady operation of an open pit mine. Continuous variation in the influencing factors results in displacement of the minimum of the function. Consequently, it is advisable to change from tight standards to flexible rating of ore reserves based on their availability for extraction.

Lisenkov A. A., Djarlkaganov U. A. Rating of mineral reserves based on their availability for extraction with regard the dynamics of mining operations in open pit mines. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5):54_67. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_5_0_54.

The study was carried out within Target Scientific and Technical Program No. BR05236712: Technological Modernization in Mining Based on Transition to Digital Economy.

A.A. Lisenkov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of Laboratory, e-mail: lisenkov45@mail.ru,
U.A. Djarlkaganov¹, Senior Researcher, e-mail: dzharlkaganov@mail.ru,
¹ D.A. Kunayev Mining Institute, National Center for Integrated Mineral Recycling of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan

A.A. Lisenkov, e-mail: lisenkov45@mail.ru.

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