SOFTWARE FOR MINE PLANNING

By
J. L. BLACKBURNI AND!. C. RUNGE2

ABSTRACT computing that the former is predominant and for technical

The mine planning process is reviewed and computing, the latter prevails.
appropriate software considered in terms of "line process" The acceptance of computing within the industry
or "support function". The mine planner's requirements of to date has been directly related to the proportion of the
a geological model and the elements of and requirements of computing task indicated by a quantitative gain; where the
a computerised mine planning system are all discussed. The short term benefits of investment in computerisation are
use of "support" software for mine planning is considered more identifiable.
and general rules for its development are given. Important For maximum long term gain however, greater
changes involved in implementing a computerised mine improvements are possible with application of technical
pianning program are listed. computing - particularly for mine planning, as it makes
possible tasks which are otherwise not viable. Table 1 shows
INTRODUCTION a comparison of computer aided mine planning with
Over the last decade, the acceptance of computers traditional manual methods.
within the mining industry has grown steadily, in line with The benefits from computerisation indicated in
the general acceptance in the community. This acceptance Table 1 outweigh the alternative of a Wholly manual system.
has not been reflected in all the activities undertaken by Short . term improvements are possible provided the
mining companies, and mine planning has been one of the "learning curve" .can be readily traversed, and the method
areas of least acceptance, yet the benefits of adopted for computerisation is consistent with the
computerisation of mine planning offer perhaps the greatest requirements of the site.
scope for gain in the future.
The two reasons for which computers are deployed MINE PLANNING PROCESS
are: Fig. 1 indicates in block diagram form the typical
1. to reduce cost and time taken on tasks currently tasks undertaken during the progression of mine planning
done by manual methods (quantitative gain), work from the conceptual planning stage through to
and production planning. The following features of this figure
2. to undertake tasks which, because of their are noteworthy.
complexity, could not otherwise be 1. The essential tasks undertaken during the
accomplished (qualitative gain). variou~ phases of planning are basically identical
Any particular task has components of both of - with only a change in emphasis with each
these, however it is a characteristic of commercial advancement.
2. Each stage consists of"line" tasks as well as
1 Senior Mining Engineer, Runge and Associates Pty. Ltd.,
"support" tasks. The "line" function is common
Biisbane, Qld. to all mine planning work, whilst the importance
2 Principal, Runge and Associates Pty. Ltd., Brisbane, Qld. of the support function for optimum mine
layout is dependent on the particular
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983

143

_ _. ......J
144 3.1. BLACKBURN AND I.C. RUNGE

Table 1
Comparison of manual and computerised mine planning.

"Manual" Mine PlanninlL ComRuter Assisted Mine PlanninlL

Appropriate for one-off tasks. Suited to applications where many alternatives need to be
examined.

Suited to relatively simple deposits (complex deposits Complex deposits can be studied in more detail without
planned only by simplification and addition of the need for excessive "conservatism".
"contingencies").
Less detail. Volume of data does not permit planning Allows study in detail. Difficult mmmg problems
in great detail - successful implementation therefore relies can be studied and problems anticipated. Operating
heavily on quality of operational supervision for planning staff can therefore be forewarned of potential problems.
the detailed aspects on a day to day basis.
Interim meaningful results are possible during study Imposed logical progression of work means results may
progress. not be available until end of study.

Fast "learning curve" for implementation but very much Substantial "learning curve" for implementation, but less
dependent" on experience of particular engineer. dependent on particular engineer's skill.

Difficult for several engineers to work on same sets of All engineers can readily work on same set of data.
data. Documentation of work subject to thoroughness of Documentation of work can be automatic.
individual engineer.

Work invariably is not consistent from one engineer to Provides consistent method of working.
next.

requirements of each mine. The major features of the three indicated phases of
3. All mine planning is an interactive process. The the mine planning process are described as follows:
knowledge gained from previous studies 1. In the conceptual phase constraints on
contributes to form the basis for further work production and physical limits of mining and
and subsequent more detailed study. mining concepts are determined.

I Geologocal
Model
I /1 Geological
Model
1 'I Geological
Model
I~
I I I
Concepted Mine Planning Detailed Mine Planning Production Mine Planning
Support Function Line Function Support Function Line Function Support Function Line Function
* Calculation of dragline * Determine mining limits * SensItivity of production * Determine detailed * Optimise dragline * Optimlsation pf method
rehandle estimates to swell and constraints or specification within defmed
density of material development constramts
* Calculation of operatmg * Production rate study - thickness limits
limits of draglme - quality constraints * Optumse loader bucket * Optimising short term
and truck body sizing development of
* CalculatIOn of truck * Determination of mining * Assessment of pit width, * Selection of equipment equipment
production rates method bench height type
* Truck despatching * Scheduling basis weekly
* Comparative equipment * Scheduling basis yearly * Truck productIOn * Scheduling basis anc!monthly
sizing and 5 yearly sensitivity to ramp quarterly and yearly
gradient, dump location * Optimise blast method * Optimisation of R.O.!
* VentIlation volume * Order of magnitude costs with respect to cash flow
requirements * Dnlling and blasting * Detailed costs and
assessment and design sensitivities * Drawpoint ventilation
design
* Ventilation development
requirements * Optlmise ventilation
system

I I I
I EvaluatIon I I Evaluation I I Evaluation I

Fig. 1 - Mine planning process.

The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
 J • L • BLACKBURN AND 1. C. RUNGE
2. In the detailed phase workable long term plans
are developed and production and cost
sensitivities determined.
3. The production phase requires development of
optimum short term solutions subject to the
adopted long term plan.
The discussion on computerisation of mine planning
below is based on the above description and the experie:t;tce
of Runge and Associates Pty. Ltd. of using mine planning
software on more than 20 major Australian coal projects
since 1979. Whilst most of the examples given pertain to
open pit coal projects the underlying principles are common
to almost all mine planning work.
COMPUTERISED MINE PLANNING
As indicated in Fig. 1, mine planning work is started
with a given geological model. The geological and external
constraints are analysed so that the characteristics of the
deposit are understood in terms of a desired mine planning
objective, for example, a specified production rate. The
particular mine characteristics are used to determine the
types and sizes of equipment to be deployed and the
operating method to be used, while the final step is to
simulate the sequence of extraction of waste and ore.
The line function of an excavation planning system must be
built around a mining model comprising,
1. a database of mining blocks which is set up to
include the necessary structural characteristics
of the deposit,
2. facilities for interrogation of this database so
that. the most appropriate equipment selection
and operation method choices can be made, and
3. facilities for simulation of the extraction
sequence and tabulation of results on a time
basis.
MINING DATABASE
The mining database can be defined as a structured
set of blqcks, where the data for each block represents the
particular attribute of that block. A computerised system
requires facilities for,
1. handling this data in a logically structured
format,
2. specifying the type and amount of data held on
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
145
each block, and
3. allowing input of data into each block.
Whilst the actual mining block layout is the responsibility
of the mining engineer, it is quite possible that a computer
may be used to determine optimum block sizes and shapes
- although this is a supporting function of the software,
not an essential line function in the mine planning process.
Structured mining block database.
When a mining engineer is undertaking a mine
planning exercise by manual methods, one of the first
tasks undertaken after blocking out the mining area is to
rule up several blank sheets of paper on which to write
the information required for each mining block. If the
mine is blocked out in 3 pits, each with 5 benches, then
in all probability 15 blank sheets will suffice. Each sheet
is headed up with the pit name and then the bench name,
and down each page will be written the data pertaining to
each strip in the bench. Without consciously knowing it, the
data is therefore arranged in a structured format as shown in
Fig. 2.
Any computerised system requires a similar method
of handling mining block data so that the various
components of the mine plan can be readily identified and
used. A generalised system also requires the use of other
generally used terms such as orebody, stope, level, cut, etc.
TY-P.es of data in mining block.
Typically four types of information are kept for each block.
Identification. This is an alphanumeric name
which is unique to the block.
Data attributes. This information is of several
types such as:
1. raw data from the geological model such as
volumes, tonnes, grades, qualities;
2. data derived from the raw data such as ratios,
dollar value of ore, contamination; and
3. mining related data such as truck production
rates, dragline rehandle percentages, drill hours.
Descriptive attributes. These are related to ore
body, pit, seam, which lease the block is located in, whether
it is north or south of the road, stope number, ore type, or
 146 J • L. BLACKBURN AND 1. C. RUNGE

LEVEL 1- RESERVE ITOTAL RESERVE

I
I
I
r------I-------,
I I I
LEVEL 2- PIT IALPHA PITI I BETA PIT
I
II GAMMA PIT I
I
r----~-----T-----r----'
I I I ~ I
LEVEL3 - BENCH I BENCH Si 1BENCH RI ISENICHQI ~ B~NCH NI I
I
r----T----l----l----~-----r----l
I I I I I I I
LEVEL 4 - STRIP j-S-T-R-'IP-j"""'IISTRIP21ISTRIP 311STRIP411STRIP 51 ISTR;P61ISTRIP71

Fig. 2 - Typical structure of mining data.base.

other descriptive property. 4. It must allow external input of mining block

Positional attributes. These are related to the
location of the block with respect to other blocks in the
mine such as which blocks are adjacent to it either above,
below or beside it; or where the block is situated in any
specified extraction sequence.
!!!put of data.
Although input of data into a computerised mine
planning system is possible directly from manually drawn
plans, this input should be directly from a computer based
geological modelling system. The geological model is used
by the mining engineer,
1. to provide the necessary basic information on
which the mine layout is based, and
2. to calculate geological data for each of the
specified mining blocks.
The mining engineer's requirements of the geological
model are as follows.
1. It must produce isopach and isoquality plans
and vertical sections of all important geological
parameters.
2. It must allow input of mining related surfaces
and determinination of geological information
based on those surfaces.
3. The geological model must be
statistically analyse geological information.
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
layout plans and for calculation of the above-
mentioned data for blocks.
5. Finally the model must have facilities for
interfacing generated output to the mining
model.
In addition to the above requirements, it is also
essential that the geological model be neutral with respect
to any mine plan and that it does not impose artificial
constraints on the mine planning task. For example, if a
mine plan is blocked out on bench levels traversing a fault,
then the geological model must not constrain the engineer
to develop benches only on seam horizons just because of
the difficulty of calculating block volumes. Similarly, the
block size which the engineer selects needs to be based on
the requirements for scheduling, timing, availability of data,
and mining method to be used - not on some arbitrarily
chosen grid on which the geological model is developed.
DATA MANIPULATIONS
A mining model consisting of just raw geological
data is virtually useless unless this data can be analysed and
converted into useful mining parameters in addition to basic
volumes and qualities.
There are an infinite number of manipulations
which may be required to fully interrogate a database for a
able to potential mining scheme. The following are some of the
more common.
 J • L • BLACKBURN AND 1. C. RUNGE
1. The detennination of mining recovery based on
bench widths, thicknesses and expected losses.
2. The detennination of as-mined quality
characteristics of ore subject to contamination
by waste.
3. The examination of as-mined' quality
characteristics of waste. With contamination by
adjacent ore blocks, the definition of "waste"
may change.
4. The detennination of marginal ratios for
definition of the side batters of the excavation.
5. The assessment of the thickness range and
corresponding volumes of excavation on each
bench as the mine advances.. This provides a
guide to equipment selection and phasing~in
purchases.
6. The detennination of mining reserves (as
opposed to geological reserves) subject to certain
constraints (quality and blending constraints,
depth limitation, etc.).
7. The calculation of in-situ value of multi-metal
ores.
Whilst some of the above may be obtainable directly
from a geological model, often it is not possible to
adequately assess the effects of batters, access ramps, and
slopes of working faces.
For mines already in operation, the type of
manipulation necessary may be clearly definable, and the
mine planning system may be readily designed to undertake
the required task automatically. In most cases, however, the
exact fonn of data manipulation is subject to the plan of
the engineer, so instead it is necessary for the system to
provide a set of tools to allow the engineer to accomplish
these same tasks interactively. Typically the following tools
will allow most tasks to be accomplished.
1. The ability to selectively add up data in various
blocks is needed to examine trends if a series
of blocks are to be mined together.
2. The ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide
data values by other data values or constants is
required. Not only does this allow derivation of
mining related data from original geological
data, but it also facilitates easy input of any
information which is expressable in equation
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
147
fonn. e.g. drilling rates expressed as a function
of thickness and powder factor.
3. Progressive addition of strips or benches, etc.
allows selection of mining reserves up to certain
lateral or vertical limits.
4. The ability to undertake statistical analyses of
mining data provides for checking the integrity
of data generated by the geological model, and
for assessment of planning constraints.
5. The ability to restructure the database is needed
so that coarse scheduling can be carried out on
an aggregated set of blocks.
SCHEDULING
of Mine scheduling is the process of taking a defined
set of equpment and simulating the sequence of operation
of that equipment as it extracts (or operates on) the
quantities blocked out in the mine plan. The purpose of
scheduling the extraction sequence is
1. to detennine the advance of the mfue on a time
basis, and allocation of equipment to the various
blocks in the plan;
2. to determine the quantities to be moved, and
the characteristics of the ore and waste on a
time basis; and
3. to detennine the costs of extraction on a time
basis. Costs may be a function of the equipment
used or quantities moved.
An 1mportant requirement of any scheduling system
is that it must have the ability to highlight many of the
other (more subtle) features of the mine plan which arise as
a consequence of the major equipment scheduling.
Nonnally it is sufficient when undertaking a
schedule to ocly consider major production equipment with
minor equipment requirements calculated and presented
merely as a consequence of the allocation of the main
equipment to the specified mining blocks. As the level of
detail in the study increases, any scheduling system must
allow individual scheduling of minor equipment items.
Typical scheduling schemes adopted at various levels of
study are shown below.
1. The conceptual study is a scheduling of major
waste removal equipment with ore quantities
indicated as a consequence of this, or
148 J . L. BLACKBURN AND I. C. RUNGE

alternatively scheduling for a specified ore a pit-by-pit basis, or by lateral extent

output with waste removal requirements e.g. tonnes north and tonnes south of road.
indicated as a consequence. Scheduling is on a 4. Capabilities for data checking and Validation
yearly basis. must be provided. Typical checks include
2. The detailed study provides individual attempts to mine material not yet uncovered,
scheduling of major production equipment use of equipment on blocks not suited, and
items (shovels, draglines, front-end loaders). production rates used.
Drilling, dozing, haulage requirements are 5. Pr~gressive presentation of results to date is
generated as a consequence of the major needed as a guide to equipment deployment.
equipment schedule. Scheduling on a monthly, Progressively decreasing inventories may be a
quarterly and yearly basis is provided. sign to the system to allocate equipment on
3. The production study includes scheduling of blocks which expose more ore, etc.
all major equipment into individual blocks in 6. The ability to generate documentation is
the required extraction sequence (drilling, needed. One of the most significant but
prestripping, draglines, shovels, ore preparation, overlooked benefits of computer based mine
ore loading). Minor equipment requirements scheduling is the ability to present results in
(dozers, blasting, clean-up) are calculated as a hardcopy form, fully documented with time,
consequence of the principal schedule. date, description of project, scheduling task, and
Scheduling is prepared on a weekly, monthly, full equipment statistics and log of steps under-
quarterly, and yearly basis. taken. Presentation of the mine advance in
In order to undertake the above tasks, any mine graphical format provides an invaluable aid to
scheduling system requires the following features. understanding the mine operating situation.
1. The ability to subdivide the data in the mining
blocks into various categories is required. A SUPPORT SOFTWARE
large number of subdivisions are necessary for Considering all of the software requirements for
production scheduling to operate on particular mine planning, support software is the one most often
mining blocks in many scheduling steps. For misunderstood, as the requirements from this software vary
conceptual planning it may be appropriate to greatly depending on the level of detail of the study. Some
use only one subdivision. areas of support employing computer techniques are
2. The time period over which scheduling can be 1. calculation of truck productivity,
undertaken must be variable, and must allow 2. determination of dragline rehandle and
data accumulation into more than one time operating limits,
period at once. This allows scheduling on e.g. 3. geostatistics,
a monthly basis while at the same time allowing 4. assessment of ventilation requirements,
accumulation of data on a year-to-date basis. 5. drill and blast design, and
Accumulation of results should also be possible 6. software for calculation of block size and
for discontinuous time periods to allow layout.
tabulation of results on a calendar year as well The first use generally made of this software is to
as a fiscal year basis. replace work previously undertaken by manual methods,
3. The ability to flag blocks in various ways thus the calculation of dragline rehandle may be
according to the characteristics of the block is undertaken by computer simulation in a fraction of the
needed to allow tabulation of results within time for an identical calculation by hand. To the
required categories. It is often necessary for uninitiated, this appears to be the only need for such a
results to be calculated on a seam-by-seam basis, system - and if the hand calculation is not too onerous or
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining SYmposium, May 1983
 J • L • BLACKBURN AND I. C. RUNGE
not required too often, there is a tendency to think a
computer system is of no benefit.
Not often appreciated, however, is the evolutionary
nature of technical software development so the user
seldom envisages the use to which a program can be put at
the time it is first specified. Initially a user might be content
with replacing e.g. two hours of manual calculation with
two minutes of computer work, however the realisation
soon comes that since the calculation of result!! is now so
easy, more subtleties of the operation can be studied.
Programs can now be adopted for the purposes of
not only calculating a certain end result, but also for
carrying out sensitivity studies on parts of the input data. In
the dragline example, by undertaking a series of calculations
with a range of highwall angles, the production rate and/or
rehandle may be easily determined as a function of highwall
angle. In a new mine, the exact working slope of highwalls
may be in question, but if the engineer is aware of the
relationship between dragline productivity and highwall
angle appropriate allowances can be made for this
uncertainity, at minimum extra study cost.
A few general rules for development of support
function software are as follows.
1. No attempt should be made to specify the
"ultimate" system from the outset. User
requirements may change dramatically once the
initial program is put into service.
2. Since most "support" software performs some
Table 2
Comparison of batch oriented and interactive processing.
Batch Oriented Processing,
Appropriate to tasks where the logic process can be
clearly defined beforehand.
Gives best use when the principal purpose of the work
is to obtain the result.
Appropriate to "production line" process where task is
undertaken many times in tlie same way.
Can be written quickly in an "unfriendly" fashion for use
only by skilled technician.
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
149
specialised and pre-defined task, programs
should be developed as stand-alone systems. This
allows the priority on program development to
be directed to the area of greatest immediate
demand and does not hold up work pending
development of some less urgent but preceding
system.
3. Even if the support program needs to interface
with other systems, it is often better to proceed
with initial development even if this interface
cannot be clearly defined. In recognition that
the program will probably have to be re-written,
subsequent versions can be developed with the
format for the interface better defined.
4. Interactive program logic should not assume that
the user reads the instructions on the screen.
WORKING WITH A COMPUTERISED SYSTEM
With the acceptance of computerisation, a
philosophical decision is often necessary as to the approach
of either interactive or batch operation. In this case, the
method most suited varies with the task to be undertaken.
Table 2 indicates a number of factors to be considered when
this choice is made.
Historically, the majority of software development
in the industry has been batch oriented. It is the authors'
contention that most software appropriate for mine
planning cannot yet be successfully developed for batch
Interactive Processing
Appropriate to tasks where the logic process is dependent
on interim results from the process, or where the logic is
too complex to specify.
Most useful where the purpose of the work is to gain an
understanding of the process. The end result may be
secondary.
Appropriate to "one-off" type cases. Often used to gain
an understanding of the logic preparatory to development
of batch process.
Normally written in "friendly" fashion for use by
engineer actually doing the mine planning task.
150 J . L • BLACKBURN AND I. C. RUNGE
operation, and as the complexity and detail of mining
engineering work increases, the importance of software
design for use in an interactive environment will become
paramount. In cases where a batch process is appropriate,
this should be incorporated with an interactive "front-end"
for data validation and for implementation by the mining
engineer.
The following changes are significant whenever a
computerised mine planning system is implemented.
1. Results are typically not avajlable until the end
of a study. A manual system often allows for
progressive generation of results, and when the
study is 50 percent complete, 50 percent of the
results are available. In a computerised system,
the majority of time is spent on input of data.
Processing is undertaken on the whole database
at once - with all of the results available at once
towards the end of the study. This timing for
flow of information needs to be clearly
understood.
2. With increased ease of calculation, it is very
tempting to study information in much more
detail than would ordinarily be the case. Care
needs to be exercised to make sure a lot of
needless calculation is not undertaken when a
simpler method is equally valid.
3. A computerised system is unforgiving of logic
which is not completely robust. A discipline is
imposed upon engineers which, although
paying great dividends in the long term, makes
short term expedient decisions very risky.
4. Use of computerised system provides for
The Aus.I.M.M. Southern Queensland Branch, Computers in Mining Symposium, May 1983
automatic documentation of tasks undertaken
on it, and the more tasks undertaken by
computer, the more comprehensive is the
documentation. In the long term this aspect also
pays great dividends if old work has to be
re-analysed - the case with a majority of
studies.
CONCLUSION
In the Australian mining industry, most of the
established mines were developed in remote regions where
infrastructure was a large proportion of the capital and
operating cost. With the existing infrastructure now in these
regions, new mines will have a higher proportion of the
costs in the mining operation proper. In addition, each new
mine is generally of increased complexity than its
predecessor. Both of these factors predicate an increased
sensitivity of new projects to mining cost, and consequent
higher potential gain in improving mine planning efficiency.
Computers will form the vital link in maintaining this
efficiency.
The successful implementation of a mine planning
computer system demands acceptance of the evolutionary
nature of technical computing, and a commitment to
ongoing development for improved software and
continually expanding areas of use. If installed with a
realistic appreciation of the potential capabilities, the work
which can be undertaken holds promise of advances in
productivity which are difficult to envisage from any other
source at a time when most other forces in the world are
pushing productivity rapidly in the other direction.