The optimal location of the distribution point of the belt conveyor system in continuous surface mining operations

Continuous surface mining projects are dynamic and quite complex. They are characterized by geological and spatial variability and several stochastic parameters that affect initial planning and final design. In strategic mine planning and operations management of such projects, the location of the distribution point of the belt conveyor system (BCDP) is of high importance as it directly influences mine development and the production schedule. In addition, the spatial location of the BCDP directly affects project cash flow including investment and operating costs and, as a result, the economic viability of the mining project. Therefore, the problem of the optimal location of BCDP could be defined as an economic optimization problem focusing on the material transportation cost. In this paper a model for the optimal location of BCDP in continuous surface mines is formulated based on the minimization of the transportation cost within the lifetime of the mine. A computer model was developed based on a methodological approach and was verified utilizing an actual lignite deposit which was simplified in terms of geometry and geology. Simulation results compare well with actual data available for the specific lignite mine. It is estimated that coal reserves in the world exceed the reserves of oil and natural gas. Today, in Greece, about 50% of the produced electric power is generated by thermal power plants using lignite as fuel. Furthermore, approximately 3 billion tonnes of proven, exploitable lignite reserves are located throughout Greece. Approximately 97% of the mined lignite is used to supply the lignite power plants with a total installed capacity of 5180 MW. In Greece lignite is mainly produced in two locations, one in western Macedonia in northern Greece and one in Peloponnese in the South. The majority of the currently operating surface lignite mines utilizes the continuous mining method [5]. Continuous surface mining is widely applied for the exploitation of multiple-layered lignite deposits. Mining equipment include high capacity and continuously operating bucket wheel excavators for excavation, belt conveyors for transportation of the excavated material and spreaders for dumping the material to the dumping sites. This procedure ensures selective mining of lignite and waste layers and high lignite production rates even when the deposit contains several lignite seams of varying thickness alternating with waste seams (zebra type deposits). In cases where the overburden or interburden