Open pit planning with the aid of a computer design system

Abstract

Computer techniques have become increasingly important in planning open pit mines. This article describes a computer system for the design of open pits to mine stratiform orebodies. The system incorporates a modified version of the Open Pit Design Program developed by Rio Tinto Zinc Consultants Ltd. The particular requirements of such a system, for example, the accuracy of representation of geological detail and the ability to follow footwalls, are described in this paper together with the methods that have been adopted to satisfy them. A description of how the computer design program was used to develop the medium and long term mining plans for the Nchanga Open Pit is included.