Research on waste rock dumping technology from the open pit: a case study from Kansanshi mine (First Quantum Minerals), Zambia

摘要

Poor dumping strategy has resulted into sometime unusually long truck cycle-time, rapid exhausting of designated dumping areas and the lying of some dumps within or too close to the ultimate pit limit. This research focuses on establishing the causes of long truck cycle-time, the upshots of dumping methods and subsequently seeks the optimal dumping sequence. Surpac Minex software was exceedingly employed in evaluation, inquiry and acquisition of relevant data related to the study. The data which was collected included truck cycle time, haulage distances, dozing distances, long term pit limit, dump volume, scheduled volumes as well as haulers' operating costs. Optimisation of dumping strategy incorporates, among other factors, evaluation of haulage costs, dozing cost and appropriate allocation of unearthed material. Based on the assessment, the dozer operating costs were found to be higher with area dumping than edge dumping method. Analytical results indicated that advancing dumping sequence provides the optimal method and supports edge dumping. Optimum haulage routes were set up using least cost analysis whereas the long-term pit volumes were successfully allocated to suitable dumps with the application of transportation analysis.