Analysis of Environmental Costs’ Effect in Green Mining Strategy Using a System Dynamics Approach: A Case Study

Nowadays, one of the most significant problems in mining activities is the significance of analyzing environmental issues along with mining, concentration, and mineral processing operations to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Nevertheless, mine owners refuse to include environmental costs (EC) and consider them unprofitable. Due to the ever-increasing importance of environmental and social topics in recent years, there is a vital need for assessing the EC and its impact on total mining costs and implementing green strategies by the mining managers and engineers. The current study tries to model the mining cost structure by considering the causal relationships between different factors affecting open-pit mining costs to highlight the EC’s role. Furthermore, this research evaluates the effectiveness of implementing each possible mining green strategy in a large-scale copper mine using the System Dynamics (SD) approach. In this regard, seven scenarios and a combination of different environmental strategies, including mine reclamation, an environmental strategy for a condensation and processing plant, and environmental mining operations, have been considered for the SD-based economic analysis. The simultaneous use of the green mining strategies for the concentration and processing plant (Scenario 4) shows a high impact on cost reduction in the mining operation.

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Brown Coal in Victoria, Australia and Maddingley Brown Coal Open Cut Mine Batter Stability

Journal of Civil Engineering and Construction ◽

10.32732/jcec.2020.9.3.109 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 109-118

Author(s):

Lei Zhao ◽

Greg You

Keyword(s):

Coal Seam ◽

Brown Coal ◽

Large Scale ◽

Low Cost ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Power Generators ◽

Three Dimensional Finite Element

Brown coal is young, shallowly deposited, and widely distributed in the world. It is a fuel commonly used to generate electricity. This paper first reviews the resources and characteristics of brown coal in Victoria, Australia, and its exploitation and contribution to the economy or power supply in Victoria. Due to the shallow depth of the brown coal seam, e.g. very favorable stripping ratio, open pit mining is the only mining method used to extract the coal at low cost for power generators. With the large-scale mining operations, cases of batter failure were not rare in the area. From the comprehensive review of past failures, overburden batter tends to fail by circular sliding, coal batter tends to fail by block sliding after the overburden is stripped due to a weak water-bearing layer underneath the coal seam and tension cracks developed at the rear of the batter, and batter failure is typically coincided with peak raining seasons. Secondly, the paper reviews the case study of Maddingley Brown Coal (MBC) Open Cut Mine batter stability, including geology, hydrogeology, and hydro-mechanically coupled numerical modelling. The modelling employs three-dimensional finite element method to simulate the MBC northern batter where cracks were observed in November 2013. The comprehensive simulation covers an overburden batter, a brown coal batter, two rainfall models, and a buttressed batter. The simulated results agree well with observed data, and it is found that the rainfall at the intensity of 21mm substantially lowered the factor of safety of the coal batter.

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Landslide stabilization experience in Urtui open pit mine

Gornyi Zhurnal ◽

10.17580/gzh.2021.01.17 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102-106

Author(s):

O. A. Isyanov ◽

◽

D. I. Ilderov ◽

V. I. Suprun ◽

S. A. Radchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rock Mass ◽

Large Scale ◽

Geological Structure ◽

Stability Control ◽

Open Pit Mine ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Coal Seams ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Early Access

Instability of pit wall slopes is the most critical accident in open pit mining. The risk of damages to pit walls is proportional to the height of exposed surfaces and to the time of exposure. Among many factors governing pit wall stability, the major factor is geological structure and weakening zones in rock mass. Deformation processes are initiated in host rock mass of coal seams mostly because of undercutting of weak interlayers. Alongside with local undercutting, another cause of landslides is transition of coal mining from down-dip extraction to up-dip extraction. The sequence of mining and morphology of weak interlayers also have influence on initiation and evolution of deformations. The basic component of engineering solutions on pit wall stability control is optimization of mining sequence and methods of accessing working horizons in open pit mines. Large-scale deformation of Western and Southeastern pit walls in Urtui mine could be avoided using the optimized sequence of mining operations. For example, mining advance mostly along the curve of the Urtui centroclinal fold, with early access and destress of the eastern and, first of all, western wings of the fold could make it possible to evade from up-dip mining of coal seams and, as a consequence, to solve the major geomechanical problems in the open pit mine.

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The Challenges of Open-Pit Mining in the Vicinity of the Salt Dome (Bełchatów Lignite Deposit, Poland)

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13081913 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1913

Author(s):

Marek Cała ◽

Katarzyna Cyran ◽

Joanna Jakóbczyk ◽

Michał Kowalski

Keyword(s):

Rock Mass ◽

Large Scale ◽

Salt Dome ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Stability Conditions ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Mass Behavior ◽

Geological Conditions ◽

Wall Slope

The extraction of the Bełchatów lignite deposit located in the vicinity of the Dębina salt dome requires careful planning that considers the influence of mining projects on the slope and salt dome stability conditions. The instability problem is directly related to horizontal and vertical displacement, as well as the complex geological and mining conditions. These conditions are very unique with regard to the co-occurrence of the salt dome and lignite deposits in the same area, as well as the large scale of the pit wall slope. Thus, predicting rock mass behavior and ensuring the safety of mining operations are important issues. The presented analysis focused on the influence of long-term lignite extraction on the western pit wall slope of the Bełchatów field and the salt dome’s stability conditions. This study offers a comprehensive approach to a complex geotechnical problem defined by large-scale, complex geometry, and geological conditions. The rock mass behavior and stress conditions are simulated in numerical modelling. The results of the presented analysis will be useful not only for present mining activities but also for future developments related to post-mining and recultivation plans.

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Investigation of Geotechnical Parameters Effect on Open Pit Mining Operation Cost (Case Study: Angouran Mine)

Archives of Mining Sciences ◽

10.1515/amsc-2016-0013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 169-182

Author(s):

Hamidreza Taherkhani ◽

Ramin Doostmohammadi

Keyword(s):

Mining Operation ◽

Geotechnical Properties ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Geotechnical Parameters ◽

Total Cost ◽

Lead And Zinc ◽

Zinc Mine ◽

Operation Cost

Abstract Properties of intact rock and discontinuities structures are the most important variables affecting mining operations. A comprehensive review of research concerning the direct effect of geotechnical parameters on changes of total exploitation cost in open-pit mines are not provided since now. In this paper, the influence of geotechnical properties of rock mass on total cost of mining operations in Angouran (the largest lead and zinc mine in Middle East located at south western province of Zanjan, Iran) is examined. At first, the classified components of slope mass rating (SMR) and then all exploitation costs (total costs of drilling operation, blasting, bulldozers work, loading and hauling) in mining blocks are surveyed. Then, an equation for determining the correlation between geotechnical properties and total cost using multivariate linear regression is proposed. Eventually, conducting sensitivity analysis revealed that the variation of joints dip is the most effective parameter in change of mining operation cost.

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Guidelines for Slope Performance Monitoring

10.1071/9781486311002 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Monitoring System ◽

Performance Monitoring ◽

Mining Operation ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

System Management ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Industry Practice ◽

Slope Monitoring ◽

Acquisition Management

Although most mining companies utilise systems for slope monitoring, experience indicates that mining operations continue to be surprised by the occurrence of adverse geotechnical events. A comprehensive and robust performance monitoring system is an essential component of slope management in an open pit mining operation. The development of such a system requires considerable expertise to ensure the monitoring system is effective and reliable. Written by instrumentation experts and geotechnical practitioners, Guidelines for Slope Performance Monitoring is an initiative of the Large Open Pit (LOP) Project and the fifth book in the Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design series. Its 10 chapters present the process of establishing and operating a slope monitoring system; the fundamentals of pit slope monitoring instrumentation and methods; monitoring system operation; data acquisition, management and analysis; and utilising and communicating monitoring results. The implications of increased automation of mining operations are also discussed, including the future requirements of performance monitoring. Guidelines for Slope Performance Monitoring summarises leading mine industry practice in monitoring system design, implementation, system management, data management and reporting, and provides guidance for engineers, geologists, technicians and others responsible for geotechnical risk management.

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Models of simulation in the making of decisions in the mining operation

Journal Mathematical and Quantitative Methods ◽

10.35429/jmqm.2019.4.3.20.26 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 20-26

Author(s):

Erika Castillo-Serrano ◽

Myrna Urith Pérez-Lugo ◽

Roberto Avelino-Rosas ◽

Denisse Gabriela Rivera-Mojica

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Mining Operation ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Discrete Events ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Open Pit Mines ◽

Simulation Techniques

In open pit mining, the loading, unloading and hauling system can represent a high percentage of the operating cost. The objective of this document is to provide an overview of the different approaches in the application of simulation models as an alternative applied to open pit mining operations that can help in decision making to optimize resources. It talks about the different types of simulation models that can be applied in mining operations such as stochastic, deterministic and discrete events. The underlying idea of this text is to highlight that with the increase in competitiveness, mining companies are in need of using simulation techniques to reduce costs, time and risks when making decisions, since simulation allows the creation of scenarios that approximate reality. In the end, the document concludes that simulation models are a tool to help in decision-making, for the optimization of resources, increased improvement and efficiency of the processes of loading, transport and unloading in open pit mines.

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Settlement instrumentation to observe open-pit mine backfill and a prototype foundation in western Canada

Canadian Geotechnical Journal ◽

10.1139/t87-081 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 663-669

Author(s):

S. Thomson ◽

R. Sonnenberg

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Mining Operation ◽

Shallow Foundations ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Western Canada ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Reclaimed Land ◽

Mine Backfill ◽

The Public

Reclaimed land from open-pit mining operations must have essentially completed settling under self-weight and must be capable of supporting light structures before it can be returned to the public domain. The settlement of the spoil from one open-pit mining operation west of Edmonton, Alberta, was monitored by a series of magnetic extensometers installed in boreholes. Time–settlement plots indicated that self-weight settlement occurs within a 3–5 year period.Tests of individual small footings pointed out the necessity of placing shallow foundations on beneficiated soil. The results of a second series of small footings led to the founding of an 8 × 10 m prototype instrumented, reinforced foundation on a 1 m thick soil–flyash mat. Observations to date indicate an entirely acceptable settlement pattern. Key words: settlement, spoil, reclaimed land, prototype foundation, instrumentation.

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Reliability-based performance analysis of mining drilling operations through Markov chain Monte Carlo and mean reverting process simulations

SIMULATION ◽

10.1177/0037549720923751 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 96 (7) ◽

pp. 593-604 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Omer Faruk Ugurlu ◽

Mustafa Kumral

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

Markov Chain ◽

Markov Chain Monte Carlo ◽

Production Scheduling ◽

Commodity Prices ◽

Mining Operation ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Rotary Drilling

In recent years, commodity prices have swiftly decreased, narrowing the profit margin for many mining operations and forcing them to find effective cost management strategies to respond to low prices. Given that equipment is one of the most significant assets of a mining company, efficient equipment utilization has strong potential to reduce costs. This paper focuses on the relationship between the number of available drilling machines based on reliability analysis and the number of holes to be created on a bench of an open pit mining operation. Since equipment availability is random in nature, a range of holes to be drilled corresponding to a specified probability level was determined. To assess the performance of the proposed approach, a case study was carried out using two stochastic modeling techniques. Evolutions of reliabilities of 10 rotary drilling machines over a specific time were simulated by Markov chain Monte Carlo and mean reverting processes, using historical data. Multiple simulations were then used for risk quantification. Results show that the proposed approach can be used as a tool to assist production scheduling and assess the associated risk.

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Coal mining-disturbed land reclamation laws

MINING INFORMATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL BULLETIN ◽

10.25018/0236-1493-2020-6-0-15-26 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 15-26

Author(s):

T. V. Galanina ◽

M. I. Baumgarten ◽

T. G. Koroleva

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Land Reclamation ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Development Program ◽

Soil Disturbance ◽

Open Pit ◽

Open Pit Mining ◽

Disturbed Land ◽

Critical Problems ◽

Production Output

Large-scale mining disturbs wide areas of land. The development program for the mining industry, with an expected considerable increase in production output, aggravates the problem with even vaster territories exposed to the adverse anthropogenic impact. Recovery of mining-induced ecosystems in the mineral-extracting regions becomes the top priority objective. There are many restoration mechanisms, and they should be used in integration and be highly technologically intensive as the environmental impact is many-sided. This involves pollution of water, generation of much waste and soil disturbance which is the most typical of open pit mining. Scale disturbance of land, withdrawal of farming land, land pollution and littering are critical problems to the solved in the first place. One of the way outs is highquality reclamation. This article reviews the effective rules and regulations on reclamation. The mechanism is proposed for the legal control of disturbed land reclamation on a regional and federal level. Highly technologically intensive recovery of mining-induced landscape will be backed up by the natural environment restoration strategy proposed in the Disturbed Land Reclamation Concept.

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