Top

Optimization and Engineering

Published in:

28-02-2023 | Research Article

An optimization model for the real-time truck dispatching problem in open-pit mining operations

Authors: Hossein Mirzaei-Nasirabad, Mehrnaz Mohtasham, Hooman Askari-Nasab, Behrooz Alizadeh

Published in: Optimization and Engineering | Issue 4/2023

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

This work is concerned with the real-time truck dispatching problem in open-pit mining operations. The proposed methodology is built on a multi-stage dispatching approach to optimize the truck-shovel material handling systems. The procedure consists of two main stages: allocation planning and dynamic allocation. At first, a scenario-based method is presented to estimate the optimal size of trucks in the mining operation. Then, a novel multi-objective mathematical model for solving the problem of dynamically allocating trucks is presented, aiming at minimizing fleet waiting times and deviations from the path production requirements established by the allocation planning. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, three different heuristic methods, including criteria of minimizing shovel idle time, minimizing ratio variance, and minimizing the deviation from the allocation planning, are developed. Afterward, the dispatching methods are tested by building a discrete-event simulation of a copper ore mine case study to compare the results. The findings suggest that the multi-objective model developed in this paper has a great potential to meet the production requirements of the operation compared to the heuristic algorithms.

previous article Estimating the marginal cost to deliver to individual customers

next article Rotorcraft low-noise trajectories design: black-box optimization using surrogates

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Ahangaran DK, Yasrebi AB, Wetherelt A, Foster P (2012) Real-time dispatching modelling for trucks with different capacities in open pit mines. ARCH Min Sci 57(1):39–52

Ahumada GI, Riveros E, Herzog O (2020) An agent-based system for truck dispatching in open-pit mines. In: ICAART (1) (2020), pp 73–81

Alarie S, Gamache M (2002) Overview of solution strategies used in truck dispatching systems for open pit mines. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 16(1):59–76CrossRef

Alexandre RF, Campelo F, Vasconcelos JA (2019) Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms for the truck dispatch problem in open-pit mining operations. Learn Nonlin Model 17(2):53–66CrossRef

Arelovich A, Masson F, Agamennoni O, Worrall S, Nebot E (2010) Heuristic rule for truck dispatching in open-pit mines with local information-based decisions. In: 13th International IEEE conference on intelligent transportation systems, Funchal, p.1408–1414

Ataeepour N, Baafi EY (1999) ARENA simulation model for truck-shovel operation in despatching and non-despatching modes. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 13(3):125–129CrossRef

Bajany D, Xia X, Zhang L (2017) A MILP model for truck shovel scheduling to minimize fuel consumption. Energy Procedia 105:2739–2745CrossRef

Bakhtavar E, Mahmoudi H (2020) Development of a scenario-based robust model for the optimal truck-shovel allocation in open-pit mining. Comput Oper Res 115:1–10MATHCrossRef

Bastos GS (2013) Decision making applied to shift change in stochastic open-pit mining truck dispatching. IFAC Proc 46(16):34–39

Both C, Dimitrakopoulos R (2020) Joint stochastic shortterm production scheduling and fleet management optimization for mining complexes. Optim Eng 21(4):1–27MathSciNetCrossRef

Chang Y, Ren H, Wang S (2015) Modelling and optimizing an open-pit truck scheduling problem. Discr Dyn Nat Soc 2015:1–8MathSciNetMATHCrossRef

Chatterjee P, Brake D (1981) Truck dispatching and simulation methods in open-pit operations. CIM Bull (Canada) 74(835):102–107

Cox W, French T, Reynolds M, While L (2017) A genetic algorithm for truck dispatching in mining. In: GCAI. October, pp 93–106

Dumakor N, Temeng V, Bansah K (2017) Optimising shovel-truck fuel consumption using stochastic simulation. Ghana Min J 17(2):39–49CrossRef

Eivazy H, Askari-Nasab H (2012) A mixed integer linear programming model for short-term open pit mine production scheduling. Min Technol 121(2):97–108CrossRef

Elbrond J, Soumis F (1987) Towards integrated production planning and truck dispatching in open pit mines. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 1(1):1–6CrossRef

Forsman B, Rönnkvist E, Vagenas N (1993) Truck dispatch computer simulation in Aitik open pit mine. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 7(3):117–120CrossRef

Gurgur CZ, Dagdelen K, Artittong S (2011) Optimization of a real-time multi-period truck dispatching system in mining operations. Int J Appl Decision Sci 4(1):57–79CrossRef

Hashemi AS, Sattarvand J (2015) Simulation based investigation of different fleet management paradigms in open pit mines-a case study of Sungun copper mine / /Symulacje I Badania Różnych Paradygmatów Wykorzystania Floty Pojazdów I Urządzeń W Kopalniach Odkrywkowych. Studium Przypadku: Kopalnia Miedzi W Sungun, Arch Min Sci 60(1):195–208

He MX, Wei JC, Lu XM, Huang BX (2010) The genetic algorithm for truck dispatching problems in surface mine. Inf Technol J 9(4):710–714CrossRef

Jaoua A, Riopel D, Gamache M (2012) A simulation framework for real-time fleet management in internal transport systems. Simul Modell Pract Theory 21(1):78–90CrossRef

Koryagin M, Voronov A (2017) Improving the organization of the shovel-truck systems in open-pit coal mines. Transport Probl. https://doi.org/10.20858/tp.2017.12.2.11CrossRef

L’Heureux G, Gamache M, Soumis F (2013) Mixed integer programming model for short term planning in open-pit mines. Min Technol 122(2):101–109CrossRef

Li Z (1990) A methodology for the optimum control of shovel and truck operations in open-pit mining. Min Sci Technol 10(3):337–340CrossRef

Lizotte Y, Bonates E (1987) Truck and shovel dispatching rules assessment using simulation. Min Sci Technol 5(1):45–58CrossRef

Manríquez F, González H, Morales N (2019) Short-term open-pit mine production scheduling with hierarchical objectives, In: Mining goes digital: proceedings of the 39th International Symposium'Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry'(APCOM 2019), June 4–6, 2019, Wroclaw, Poland. CRC Press

Matamoros MEV, Dimitrakopoulos R (2016) Stochastic short-term mine production schedule accounting for fleet allocation, operational considerations and blending restrictions. Eur J Oper Res 255(3):911–921MathSciNetMATHCrossRef

Mohtasham M, Mirzaei-Nasirabad H, Mahmoodi MA (2017) Development of a goal programming model for optimization of truck allocation in open pit mines. J Min Env 8(3):359–371

Mohtasham M, Mirzaei-Nasirabad H, Alizadeh B (2021a) Optimization of truck-shovel allocation in open-pit mines under uncertainty: a chance-constrained goal programming approach. Min Technol 130(2):81–100CrossRef

Mohtasham M, Mirzaei-Nasirabad H, Askari-Nasab H, Alizadeh B (2021b) A multi-objective model for fleet allocation schedule in open-pit mines considering the impact of prioritising objectives on transportation system performance. Int J Min Reclamat Environ 35(9):1–19

Mohtasham M, Mirzaei-Nasirabad H, Askari-Nasab H, Alizadeh B (2022) Multi-stage optimization framework for the real-time truck decision problem in open-pit mines: a case study on Sungun copper mine. Int J Min, Reclamat Environ. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2022.2067709CrossRef

Moradi-Afrapoli A, Tabesh M, Askari-Nasab H (2019a) A multiple objective transportation problem approach to dynamic truck dispatching in surface mines. Eur J Operat Res 276(1):331–342MathSciNetMATHCrossRef

Moradi-Afrapoli A, Tabesh M, Askari-Nasab H (2019b) A transportation problem-based stochastic integer programming model to dispatch surface mining trucks under uncertainty. In: Proceedings of the 27th international symposium on mine planning and equipment selection-MPES 2018. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, pp 255–264

Ozdemir B, Kumral M (2019) Simulation-based optimization of truck-shovel material handling systems in multi-pit surface mines. Simul Model Pract Theory 95:36–48CrossRef

Patterson SR, Kozan E, Hyland P (2017) Energy efficient scheduling of open-pit coal mine trucks. Eur J Oper Res 262(2):759–770MathSciNetMATHCrossRef

Sadler WM (1988) Practical truck dispatching—a micro computer based approach. In: Fytas K, Collins JL, Singhal RK (eds) Computer applications in the mineral industry. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 495–500

Sahoo LK, Bandyopadhyay S, Banerjee R (2010) Energy performance of dump trucks in opencast mine. Proceedings of ECOS, pp 1899–1906

Samavati M, Palmer AW, Hill AJ, Seiler KM (2019) Improvements in plan-driven truck dispatching systems for surface mining. Mining Goes Digital. CRC Press, Florida, pp 357–366CrossRef

Seiler KM, Palmer AW, Hill AJ (2020) Flow-achieving online planning and dispatching for continuous transportation with autonomous vehicles. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering 2020 Dec 14

Sgurev V, Vassilev V, Dokev N, Genova K, Drangajov S, Korsemov Ch, Atanassov A (1989) TRASY—An automated system for real-time control of the industrial truck haulage in open-pit mines. Eur J Oper Res 43(1):44–52CrossRef

Smith A, Linderoth J, Luedtke J (2021) Optimization-based dispatching policies for open-pit mining. Optim Eng 22(3):1347–1387MATHCrossRef

Soumis F, Ethier J, Elbrond J (1989) Truck dispatching in an open pit mine. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 3(2):115–119CrossRef

Soumis F, Ethier F, Elbrond J (1990) Evaluation of the new truck dispatching in the mount wright mine. In: 21st APCOM Proceedings, pp 674–682

Souza MJF, Coelho IM, Ribas S, Santos HG, Merschmann LHC (2010) A hybrid heuristic algorithm for the open-pit-mining operational planning problem. Eur J Operat Res 207(2):1041–1051MATHCrossRef

Subtil RF, Silva DM, Alves JC (2011) A practical approach to truck dispatch for open pit mines. In: 35th APCOM, 2011, September, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, pp 765–777

Ta CH, Kresta JV, Forbes JF, Marquez HJ (2005) A stochastic optimization approach to mine truck allocation. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 19(3):162–175CrossRef

Tan Y, Miwa K, Chinbat U, Takakuwa S (2012) Operations modeling and analysis of open pit copper mining using GPS tracking data. In Proceedings of the 2012 Winter Simulation Conference (WSC), IEEE, pp 1–12

Temeng VA, Otuonye FO, Frendewey JOA (1989) non-preemptive goal programming approach to truck dispatching in open pit mines. MRE 7(2):59–67

Temeng VA, Otuonye FO, Frendewey JO (1997) Real-time truck dispatching using a transportation algorithm. Int J Surf Min Reclam Environ 11(4):203–207CrossRef

Topal E, Ramazan S (2012) Mining truck scheduling with stochastic maintenance cost. J Coal Sci Eng (China) 18(3):313–319CrossRef

Torkamani E, Askari-Nasab H (2015) A linkage of truck-and-shovel operations to short-term mine plans using discrete-event simulation. Int J Min Mineral Eng 6(2):97–118CrossRef

Tu J, Hucka VJ (1985) Analysis of open-pit truck haulage system by use of a computer-model. CIM Bull 78(879):53–59

Upadhyay SP, Askari-Nasab H (2016) Truck-shovel allocation optimisation: a goal programming approach. Min Technol 125(2):1–11CrossRef

White JW, Olson JP (1986) Computer-based dispatching in mines with concurrent operating objectives. Min Eng Littleton 38(11):1045–1054

White JW, Arnold M, Clevenger J (1982) Automated open-pit truck dispatching at Tyrone. E&MJ 183(6):76–84

Xi Y, Yegulalp TM (1993) Optimum dispatching algorithm for Anshan open-pit mine. In 24th APCOM, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Yeganejou M, Badiozamani M, Moradi-Afrapoli A, Askari-Nasab H (2021) Integration of simulation and dispatch modelling to predict fleet productivity: an open-pit mining case. Mining Technology, pp 1–13

Title: An optimization model for the real-time truck dispatching problem in open-pit mining operations
Authors: Hossein Mirzaei-Nasirabad
Mehrnaz Mohtasham
Hooman Askari-Nasab
Behrooz Alizadeh
Publication date: 28-02-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Optimization and Engineering / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1389-4420
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2924
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11081-022-09780-x

Springer Professional

Abstract

Please log in to get access to your license.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Springer Professional "Technik"

Other articles of this Issue 4/2023

Estimating the marginal cost to deliver to individual customers

Aerodynamic shape optimization of porous fences with curved deflectors using surrogate modelling

Optimal control approaches for open pit planning

Multi-fidelity surrogate-based optimal design of road vehicle suspension systems

Optimal sizing and dispatch of solar power with storage

Dual optimization approach to set invariance conditions for discrete-time dynamic systems

Premium Partners