3. Geological Model
Data from the exploration boreholes is captured and using a modelling software the
ore body is modelled to represent the ore body solid having different grades.
4. Based on the Geo-tech
recommendation the pit is
designed with the defined bench
parameters (heights and slopes,
haulage) to maximise the ore
recovery.
Pit designing
Ore Body
5. Block modelling and Reserves estimation
Strips–Forevery50m
Blocks – For every 50m
The whole pit is divided into Strips and Blocks with the defined dimensions (Example: 50m
Strips x 50m Blocks) vertically and with the Bench heights in a horizontal plane, this forms a
block model.
Bench-1
Bench-2
Bench-3
Bench-4
Bench-5
Bench-6
Ore Body
6. Block modelling and Reserves estimation
The waste and ore reserves including the quality parameters are calculated for each
individual block. Which can be reported in the desired format. The volumes and spatial data
representing the roof and floor of each block also are exported into a CSV file for importing
into a scheduling software.
7. Dump Designing & Reserves
Bench-7
Bench-6
Bench-4
Bench-3
Bench-2
Bench-1
The similar designing, blocks generation and reserving is done for both external and internal
dumps. The volumes of each block along with the roof and floor polygons are exported into
a CSV file from the design software to import back to scheduling software.
8. Scheduling Softwares
There are different scheduling softwares available in the market. The predominant software
for scheduling are XPAC and Deswik and the latest one is SPRY.
9. Scheduling Setup
This presentation details the general scheduling methodology (which is similar in XPAC)
Major Steps:
• Importing the reserves and Spatial data
• Validation and Aggregation
• Calendar creation
• Process Definition – Productive and Non productive
• Equipment Definition and defining scheduling quantities
• Roster restrictions
• Creating the dependency rules
• Pre-scheduling
• Defining the input path for each equipment
• Running the Schedule
• Generation of the Output reports, Stage Plans, Gant Charts, etc.
10. Scheduling – Importing and Aggregation
The Reserve blocks including the
spatial data are imported into the
scheduling software. Validation of the
data done and assign the default
values for the parameters which have
invalid data. Aggregation of the seams
and waste layers is done by defining
the minimum thickness for each of
them.
Before Aggregation After Aggregation
Waste Waste
Seam-1A
Seam-1B
Waste
Waste
Waste
Seam-1
Seam-2A
Seam-2B
Seam-3 Seam-3
11. Scheduling - Calendar
Define the Calendar either Daily, Monthly or Yearly based on the
requirement. Define the start date for each period.
It is possible to define the equipment KPIs for each period in the
Calendar and can be used for scheduling.
WEEK 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53
MON 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26
TUES 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27
WED 24 31 7 14 21 28 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28
THURS 25 1 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29
FRI 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30
SAT 27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29 5 12 19 26 3 10 17 24 31
SUN 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 4 11 18 25
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS KEY REPORTING DATES
New Year's Day 3 Jan Internal Site MPR / MOP Inputs Sign-Off
Australia Day 26 Jan Agree ROM Schedule with HOO and fwd to ICC
Good Friday 22 Apr Agree ICC Schedule with HOO & GM
Easter Saturday 23 Apr SLT MOP Review and MOP finalised
Easter Monday (QLD) 26 Apr Month end close
Anzac Day 25 Apr Actuals due, site replications
Labour Day (QLD) 2 May (Survey Physicals and Financials)
Queen's Birthday 13 Jun AAMC MPR's
Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane only) 17 Aug AAMC QPR's
Labour Day (NSW) 3 Oct London MPR & QPR's, Plan Reviews
Christmas Day 26 Dec
Boxing Day 27 Dec Budget Financials Complete in CoalMIS
QLD SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 16th Apr - 25th Apr
25th Jun - 10th Jul CoalMIS 1st Review of 2011 (6+6) & 2012-2014 Plan 6 Jul
17th Sep - 2nd Oct CoalMIS Finalise 2011 (7+5) & 2012-2014 Plan 16 Aug
10th Dec - 22rd Jan CoalMIS Update 2011 (8+4) & 2012-2014 Plan 2 Sep
NSW SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 9th Apr - 25th Apr
2nd Jul - 17th Jul London Plan Reviews 21 Sep & 9 Nov
24th Sep - 9th Oct
21st Dec - 26th Jan
(5 weeks) (4 weeks) (5 weeks) (4.9 weeks)
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
2011 Reporting Calendar
(As at 23 August 2011 - Updated for Monthly MOPs from September)
12. Scheduling - Processes
Define the Processes which can be
-Productive like
- Topsoil removal
- Drilling and Blasting
- Waste Mining
- Ore Mining
- Non Productive like
- Relocation
- Maintenance
- Wait on other process
- Wet Weather
- Un Scheduled...
13. Scheduling – Equipment
Define the equipment and assign the Process for each of them and
assign the scheduled quantity field. KPIs (Rate, Availability and
Utilisation) can be assigned for each equipment or can be referred to
the Calendar for each period, if it is varying.
More than once process can be assigned to an equipment or a
particular process can be done using a particular equipment.
Equipments typically
- Draglines
- Rope/ Electric Shovels
- Diggers or Excavators
- Drills
- Dozers
- Loaders
14. Scheduling – Roster restrictions & Dependencies
Define the roster restrictions like certain equipment work in certain
periods, or 5 day working only, or any other working roster or certain
equipment can not start until certain time.
Dependency rules are set. This is basically defining the order of mining
that is the lower block cant be mined until the blocks on the top of that
is mined out. It can be once process dependent on other like drill and
blast is done only when top soil removal is finished. Inpit dumping is
only possible when mining is finished and the defined minimum area is
available for dumping. All these can be defined under dependency rule.
15. Scheduling – Preschedule
If it is a new mine then there is no preschedule, but if you are working
on an existing mine with some mined out areas then the blocks which
fall in the mined out area need to be defined as mined out, this process
is called prescheduling. This will allow the alignment of the short term
and medium term scheduling if it is done separately.
Actual Preschedule Forecast
16. Scheduling – Input path for Equipment
Define the path for each of the equipment – this is basically assigning
the blocks to each equipment in a sequential order which satisfies the
dependency conditions.
The input path is modified after running the schedule and based on the
results produced. Example, if one process is waiting on other process
then the path is changed so as to fully utilise the equipment and make
sure all the equipments are working in the available time after all the
delays are removed from the calendar time.
17. Scheduling – Run and Reports generation
Schedule is run at end. Every time the reserve data or path of the
equipment changes, it is re run to produce the scheduled quantities for
the periods defined in the Calendar.
Then the reports are generated based on the requirement, Gant charts
are produced based on the equipment, pit or any other condition.
Stage plans can be produced in various formats for each period of the
Calendar.
18. Scheduling – Destination Scheduling & Haulage
Destination quantity field is assigned for each of the scheduling equipment and
Destination path is defined for filling the dumps based on the priority.
Haulage – is also a big thing to discuss, but in a nut shell it is the path from
Source to Destination and cycle times are worked out based on the road
conditions and truck parameters giving the truck numbers for each haulage path.
