Mathematical Programming Application in Sublevel Caving Production Scheduling

Production scheduling determines the most beneficial mining sequence over the life of a mine. Developing a schedule that meets all mining aspects can substantially reduce mining costs and increase profitability. Among all underground mining methods, the sublevel caving method is a common method with moderate development requirements, a high production rate, and a high degree of mechanization and flexibility. None of the manual planning methods and heuristic algorithms used in commercial software will lead to a truly optimal schedule. Mathematical programming models, particularly mixed-integer programming (MIP), have been applied to provide an operationally feasible multi-time-period schedule in sublevel caving. However, confined blasting conditions, chaotic material flow, and frequent mixing of ore and waste while loading broken ore at the drawpoint make the sublevel caving method unique when producing a holistic plan. This paper reviews all mathematical programming models presented in sublevel caving production scheduling, highlights the inherent characteristics of the sublevel caving that affect production, and puts forward some promising ideas for future works.