Methodology of planning excavator operations in open pit mines based on computer modeling

Introduction. In-pit excavators, which provide removal and loading of muck piles, are one of the main process links in the system of complex mechanization of open-pit mines. The level of mining operation intensity is determined by the arrangement of excavators in the open pit. Research objective. The research aims to develop a method of automated positioning of excavators at the production benches of the open pit mine. Methodology. Arrangement of in-pit excavators excavators at the production benches of the open pit mine is based on calculations, computer modeling and ia made with account of technical and operational parameters of the excavators, as well as estimation of the active front of mining operations. The main stage of solving the formulated problem is the construction of block models of the ore body, modeling of mining operations, and building a model of the open pit mine by the stages of the deposit development. Based on the results of block modeling, the optimal length of the excavator block at the production bench for the selected model of the face excavator is determined. Results. The article proposes a methodology for planning excavator operations in the open pit mine and positioning of the face excavators based on computer modeling of the mining operations progress with due account of the volume of rock mass handling on the open pit bench, the length of the active front, the mineral grade, the given rate of development, the accepted models of excavators and other attributive computer data. Based on the block model, the excavators are positioned on the production benches of the open pit mine. The proposed approach allows a prompt consideration of many options to arrange face excavators in the open pit ore mine in a semi-automatic mode and select the best option to increase the mining efficiency. Conclusions. The proposed methodology allows to promptly solve in a semi-automatic mode the issues of opening the lower levels of deep pits, to consider many options for placing face excavators in the ore pit and choose the best option, contributes to minimizing the operational risks in the development of complex-structured deposits and complex extraction of raw materials.