Transcript Slide 1

Simulation Modelling
A Tool to Inform and Support
Decisions In Iron Ore Mining
Dr Steven Richardson
Simulation Models
• Simulation models are used to imitate real
world processes/systems.
• They are used to study of the system
behaviour under specific conditions and based
on predetermined assumptions.
• They allow aspects of the real world to be
studied in an accelerated time frame.
Uses
• Identify likely outcomes of specific scenarios;
- Evaluating the feasibility/sustainability of potential
projects
- Comparing alternate mine plan strategies
- Maintenance scheduling
- Inventory planning
• Identify key/sensitive operating parameters;
• Gauge potential variability in core outcomes.
What is Involved?
• The first step is a clear problem statement
– What specifically do you want to know about the
system?
• Need to identify output metrics
– How will the system performance be measured?
• Need to identify relevant data/input
– Data availability/form guides model boundaries
and detail.
Problem formulation
Setting of objectives and overall
project plan
• Process Map
Data collection
Model conceptualisation
Model translation
Verified?
No
Yes
Validated?
No
No
Experimental design
Production runs and analysis
More runs?
Yes
Yes
No
Documentation
Implementation
Current Projects
1. Decision Support Simulation Model for Tyre
Management: Tyre Inventory Levels
(ECU/Rio Tinto Iron Ore)
2. Integrated Simulation Model of Mine Haulage
and Truck Shop Operations.
(ECU/UWA/Rio Tinto Iron Ore)
Tyre Management
• Some of the Questions:
– How many tyres will be used at the mine in the
next year?
– What minimum level of inventory should be
maintained in order to avoid significant risk of
production losses?
– When should tyres be rotated from front to back?
Truck Shop Simulation
• Some of the Questions:
– How do Truck Shop resource levels impact
production?
– What impact does Truck Shop priority strategy
impact production?
– What is the best frequency with which to schedule
Planned/Preventative maintenance?
Input Data
Example Inputs
Travel time between truck shop and shovel
Travel time between shovel and crusher/ and return
Normal Travel time between crusher and truck shop
Loading time at shovel
Unloading time at crusher
Failure distribution for each truck
Failure distribution for each shovel
Truck repair time distribution for scheduled work
Shovel repair time distribution for scheduled work
PM Inspection interval (for each truck)
PM Inspection interval (for each shovel)
The Model
Output
Number of
repair
resources
Shovel has
Priority
Average
Production
(no of loads)
Average
Truck
Availability
1
No
11134
1
Yes
11744 (+5.5%) 73.3 (-4.3%)
83.4 (+11.1%)
2
No
14631
86.9
2
Yes
14713 (+0.6%) 87.5 (-0.1%)
87.5 (+0.7%)
3
No
15005
88.4
3
Yes
14991 (-0.1%) 88.5 (+0.0%)
88.4 (+0.0%)
4
No
15015
88.4
4
Yes
15012 (-0.0%) 88.6 (+0.0%)
76.6
87.6
88.5
88.6
Average
Shovel
Availability
75.1
88.4 (+0.0%)
Conclusion
• Both projects still in very early stages
• Interest from Industry
• Many questions still to be answered