3D Simulation for Mine Operations

May 12, 2005

Presentation Outline

• What is the Tool

• Discrete Event Simulation

• Purpose of the Tool

• How to Use the Tool– Input Data– Simulation Model (Screen Shots)

– Output Data

• Uses for the Tool

• Benefits

What is the Tool

• The truck and shovel haulage simulation tool is a composition of three files:– An Import Excel file (TSHM INPUT.xls)

– An Output Excel file (TSHM OUTPUT.xls)

– A Flexsim discrete event simulation model (TSHM MODEL.fsm)

• The Flexsim model file automatically builds a discrete event simulation model based on the information in the Import file and exports the results of that model to the Output file.

Discrete Event Simulation

• A discrete event simulation model is basically a system of queues and processing steps.

• Queues form naturally in a model when upstream arrival rates exceed the downstream processing rates.

• The “events” in a simulation model occur when flowitems (Trucks) move in or out of resource objects (Shovels, Dumps, Fuel Areas), or when the state changes on a resource.

Purpose of the Tool

• To reduce the amount of time that it takes to build a truck and shovel mining model from 1 month to 15 minutes.

• To reduce the amount of skill (in Flexsim) that it takes to build a truck and shovel mining model from highly experienced to beginner.

How to Use the Tool

1. The Import Excel file is filled out with all of the breakdown, zone, haul road, and truck information.

2. The Flexsim Model Imports the information from the Excel file and builds the simulation model.

3. The simulation model is run for the desired length of time and the results are exported to the Output Excel file.

4. The information in the Output Excel file is analyzed for decision making purposes.

Input Data• General Info• Shovel Breakdowns

• Truck Breakdowns

• Scheduled Tons– How many tons each shovel is to produce from each

dump

Input Data Continued• Speed Table

– Truck speeds (loaded and empty) at certain grades

• Truck Info

Input Data Continued• Dump Info

• Shovel Info

• Call Point Locations

• Call Point Routing Info– How Call Points are connected to each other

Simulation Model

Simulation Model Continued

Simulation Model Continued

Simulation Model Continued

Output Data• Truck Info

• Area Info (Shovels, Dumps, Fuel)

• Cycle Times

Output Data Continued• Number of Trips

Output Data Continued• Travel Times

• Production Comparison

Uses for the Tool

• This tool can be used to answer many questions about a mine’s current and future situation.

• Examples: – What are the mine cycle times?– Will we meet our production goals this week, month,

or year?– What should our production goals be for the

upcoming week, month, or year?– What are the effects of having a fleet of trucks with

different haulage capacities?– If we designate certain larger or smaller trucks to

certain shovels, will it improve our overall performance?

Uses Continued

– What are the effects of having a fleet of trucks with different haul speeds?

– If we designate certain fast or slow trucks to certain shovels, will it improve our overall performance?

– How big are the delays caused by a congested intersection?

– What are the delays caused by a positive pass situation?

– If we reduce certain haul road widths at the end of mine life to increase our recovery, how big will the decrease be in production due to trucks delays?

Benefits

• Easy to use– New personnel can learn how to use the tool in about

one day by completing the three Flexsim tutorials and following the tool Instructions.

• Fast turn around time– Engineers spend time analyzing the data instead of

building models.

• Adaptable– Using the basic objects in Flexsim the tool is capable

of also simulating the concentrating and refining processes and their interaction with the mine.