ABSTRACT
Open pit optimisation is not too frequently used for lignite deposits, especially in Europe, where there are almost no new lignite mines. The new design work of a planned lignite pit in Poland provides an opportunity for successful implementation the optimisation methods since the beginning. The paper presents a study of the lignite pit design with the use of the newest available optimisation tools. First, the pricing formula has been applied to calculate the in-situ lignite price. Basing upon the quality block model of the large lignite deposit, the ultimate pit has been obtained with the use of a Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm. As a result of mine blocks optimal sequencing, the optimal pushbacks and the long term schedule have been obtained with the use of a NPV Scheduler package.
