Determination of the optimal transition point between a truck and shovel system and a semi-mobile in-pit crushing and conveying system

One of the most challenging aspects in semi-mobile in-pit crushing and conveying (SMIPCC) system design is determining optimum depth at which to change from a purely truck-based haulage conveyor-based system. We used scenario analysis determine transition between truck shovel (TS) SMIPCC Traditional pit-limit algorithms were generate final pit limit on copper deposit, was then divided into four pushbacks. The operating pushbacks (phases) designed for both TS SMIPCC. end depths each phase are viewed as candidate points switch Economic calculations applied five different scenarios, including adopting outset (pure SMIPCC), after first, second, third phases, finally not using TS) all. indicates that second scenario, 335 m, results lowest cumulative discounted cost (CDC). In this case, CDC 17.6% lower than pure 10.7% scenario.