Analysis of Factors Affecting In-pit Dumping in Metallic Open Pit Mines

Document Type : Research - Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc, Dept. of Mining Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Dept. of Mining Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In today’s world, industries and societal advancements have compelled the mining sector to extract greater quantities of minerals. Open-pit mining, known for its high productivity, generates substantial amounts of waste. It is essential to dump this waste, but the dumping of mine wastes can lead to various issues, including environmental degradation, future space constraints, and increased transportation costs. A potential solution is the in-pit dumping approach; however, this method, which has been effectively employed in surface mines like coal, requires careful consideration of whether it can be adapted to open-pit operations. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of an in-pit dumping approach in open-pit metal mines and to evaluate the influencing factors. We begin by identifying the key elements that affect in-pit dumping, followed by a geometric analysis of several of these factors, including the length, slope, and thickness of the deposit, as well as overburden volume and the ratio of length to thickness. This analysis is conducted in two dimensions. After assessing the sensitivity of these influential factors, we determine that the most critical is the ratio of horizontal extent to vertical extent — or the ratio of length to thickness of the deposit. Our findings suggest that the optimal ratio lies between 6 and 7. This indicates that maintaining the ratio within this range allows for maximum in-pit dumping of waste in open pit mines.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 09 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 04 August 2024

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