Delimitation of the final pit of open-pit mines using the maximum flow Pseudoflow method

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to define the final pit boundaries utilizing the maximum flow Pseudoflow method in an open-pit mining context. Our methodology encompassed exploratory data analysis (EDA), establishing geomechanical and economic factors, and assessing the final pit. The study was conducted using Python 3.11 and SGeMS 3.0. We discovered that our block model comprised 480,000 blocks of 10x10x10 m dimensions. We generated 20 pits with revenue factors between 0.1 to 2, increasing by increments of 0.1. The Study indicated that pit 20 was optimal, with an estimated NPV of 17855 MUSD, extracting 212 million tons of ore and 58 million tons of waste rock, achieving a stripping ratio based on block model and market conditions, and is subject to change with further block sequencing analysis. Nevertheless, pit 20 emerged as the most advantageous when considering economic feasibility, given its high estimated NPV and favorable stripping ratio.

Keywords

• final pit
• estimated npv
• pit
• pseudoflow
• stripping ratio