| The scope of this research is concerned with improving truck-and-shovel systems' efficiency using simulation. The major shortcomings of the current simulation models reviewed in literature are: a) considering shovels as continuously working equipment, b) modeling the system based on a shovel's production requirements, and c) considering only the total tonnage of material hauled with neither any measure of material quality nor a link to the mine production schedule.;The objective of this study is to develop, implement, and verify a simulation model to analyze the behavior of a truck-and-shovel haulage system in open-pit mining in conjunction with short-term plans. The simulation model imitates the complex truck-and-shovel system, and considers the uncertainties associated with the operations of trucks and shovels. It guarantees that the operational plans will honor the optimum net present value obtained in the scheduling phase. The simulation model is verified by a case-study measuring key performance indicators of the truck-and-shovel haulage system. |
