Solution procedures for block selection and sequencing in flat-bedded potash underground mines

Abstract Phosphates, and especially potash, play an essential role in the increase crop yields. Potash is mined Germany underground mines using a conventional drill-and-blast technique. The most commercially valuable mineral contained potash potassium chloride that separated from aboveground processing plants. plants perform economically best if amount of output equal to specific value, so-called optimal operating point. Therefore, quality-oriented extraction plays decisive reducing costs. In this paper, we mathematically formulate block selection sequencing problem with objective function aims at even regarding content. We, thereby, have observe some precedence relations, maximum minimum limits output, quality tolerance range within given planning horizon. We model as mixed-integer nonlinear program which then linearized. show our $${\mathcal {NP}}$$ NP -hard strong sense result MILP-solver cannot find feasible solutions for challenging instances hand. Accordingly, develop problem-specific constructive heuristic finds each test instances. A comprehensive experimental performance analysis shows sophisticated combination proposed mathematical improves achieved by heuristic, on average, $$92.5\%$$ 92.5 % .