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Risk assessment of dilution in open pit mines

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Abstract

Mining dilution is one of the most important factors which affects all parameters of mining projects. It is a dangerous virus that, if not controlled, is rapidly spread in all stages of mining project and it can paralyze the mine. According to studies carried out in this paper, dilution can cause adverse impacts on the environmental, economic, community, technical, and safety issues, and its negative impacts remain as inauspicious legacy for the future. Therefore, proper management is essential in this regard. Risk management technique can be used to reduce these impacts. Dilution risk model presented in this paper has a significant potential as a tool for decision makers to assess dilution risk both quantitatively and qualitatively. High risk factors that result from dilution can be detected using this model, and this also facilitates comparison between different mines from dilution perspective. A risk is defined as a function of probability and consequence. The model was investigated in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Gol Gohar, and Moeil Iron mines. Results of the study showed that dilution risk factors of Sarcheshmeh and Gol Gohar were 4501 and 4374, respectively, which confirmed high risk in both of them. Also, the score of 1038 for Moeil Iron mine confirms that there are minor dilution risks at this mine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Yaghoub Zarshenas & Gholamreza Saeedi

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  1. Yaghoub Zarshenas
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  2. Gholamreza Saeedi
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Correspondence to Gholamreza Saeedi.

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Zarshenas, Y., Saeedi, G. Risk assessment of dilution in open pit mines. Arab J Geosci 9, 209 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2214-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-2214-8

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