journal article·2025-12-14Open access

Model for Optimizing Waste-Haulage Systems in Open-Pit Mines (Trucks vs. IPCC System)

Ali Nasirinezhad, Dejan Stevanovic, Daniel Krzanovic, Mehdi Rahmanpour

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 24

Abstract

Waste haulage represents one of the most critical and cost-intensive operations in surface mining, accounting for up to 50% of the total operating costs. Under such operating conditions, the implementation of continuous systems such as In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) is an alternative to truck haulage, as it demonstrates a higher degree of economic efficiency. In a theoretical and practical sense, due to its direct impact on the extraction plan, defining the optimal position of the crusher and consequently the system of conveyors is often the most challenging problem of this methodology. This paper introduces an innovative approach to determining the optimum waste haulage configuration by comparing conventional truck-based transport with IPCC systems. The model is formulated as a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem, explicitly incorporating spatial dimensions and the relocation costs of semi-mobile crushers. The model situates the crusher in a way that reduces transfer costs throughout production periods and it has been tested on a hypothetical open pit.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Mining Techniques and Economics · Belt Conveyor Systems Engineering · Mineral Processing and Grinding

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Mining and Metallurgy Institute Bor, 19210 Bor, Serbia

School of Mining Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439957131, Iran

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