ABSTRACT
A linear programming (LP) model to solve long and short term production scheduling problem for sublevel caving operations is presented. The LP Model is designed as a multi time period problem to provide monthly schedules that meet production, blending and sequencing requirements.
One of the most important issues during the development of the LP model was the requirement of sequencing between blocks. In this mathematical mode, unique constraints that ensure sequencing of the stopes are developed. A new decomposition technique is introduced to come up with a schedule for a model with large number of variables. The suggestion concerning how to handle large number of variables are given. The scheduling results obtained based on the Kiruna Mine are further presented and discussed.
The LP scheduling model was implemented on a data set obtained from Kiruna Iron Ore Mine, in Sweden. The initial MIP model implementation was successful and provided solution that optimized resource recovery while meeting monthly and yearly production constraints.
