Uncertainty Analysis of Production in Open Pit Mines: Effect of environmental conditions

Production volume by mining equipment is influenced by internal and external parameters. External parameters include weather conditions, human factors etc. This study shows impact of temperature, rainfall and snowfall on production volume achieved under influence of these factors in open pit mine. The case study is carried out which include data from weather station near an open pit mine and production tonnage. Multi regression modelling in performed using stated factors and production volume. It was observed that Snowfall and rainfall has impact on production volume. Temperature has no effect on payload achieved as represented by model. With increasing snowfall and rainfall decreases. Higher snowfall (0.8 meter to 1 meter) although has tends to lead higher tonnage compared to low snowfall (0 to 0.8meters). Rainfall causes decrease in production of ore, with increase in rainfall from 1.2 mm, there is sharp decrease in production volume. The optimization table shows that with either no snowfall coupled with maximum rainfall (39 mm) it is possible to achieve production levels of 120 thousand per day. With high snowfall (1.06 metres) and no rainfall, it is possible to achieve maximum of 118 thousand tonnes per day.