Flexible Pushback Creation in Automatic and Semi-Automatic Modes in K-MINE

Understanding Pushback Creation in K-MINE

Pushbacks significantly influence your mine’s operational strategy, impacting both long-term and medium-term scheduling, which directly drives short-term planning accuracy. To achieve an optimal extraction sequence, precise and flexible planning tools are essential—K-MINE offers powerful solutions specifically designed for effective pushback management.

Automatic Pushback Creation: Essential Steps

When creating pushbacks automatically using K-MINE’s Optimal Pit Boundaries module, several parameters must be clearly defined:

• Price Adjustment Factor: Align your pushbacks to specific pit shells based on your product’s market value.

• Number of Pushbacks: Specify how many stages of extraction you desire.

• Working Platform Width: Define the operational width for practical mining activities.

• Minimum Top Surface Area: Ensure each pushback meets your operational surface area requirements.

• Minimum Pit Bottom Area: Confirm workable bottom dimensions for each pushback.

In addition to these parameters, users have the option to set additional geometric constraints such as wireframes, polylines, or specific mining horizons, enhancing the precision of generated pushbacks.

Tonnage Targets and Relaxation Methods

The module allows you to establish tonnage targets for each pushback. These targets serve as objectives rather than rigid constraints. If the algorithm cannot meet these targets exactly, it intelligently applies constraint relaxation, adjusting requirements slightly to achieve realistic, workable solutions.

Algorithm Processing and Results

The automatic calculation process can be time-intensive, especially when dealing with complex and large block models. The process involves:

• Defining extraction areas.

• Checking constraints.

• Validating mine geometry and operational feasibility.

The resulting pushbacks are assured to be practically mineable, providing continuous working platforms essential for smooth operation.

Scenario Duplication and Comparative Analysis

K-MINE’s flexibility allows users to duplicate scenarios easily. You can tweak parameters to quickly generate alternative scenarios, facilitating comparison and selection of the most efficient pushback plan.

Handling Isolated Zones

In some instances, automatic creation may yield isolated zones that are challenging to mine economically. K-MINE conveniently identifies these zones separately, allowing mine planners to decide whether to include or exclude them from operational plans.

Semi-Automatic Pushback Generation

Semi-automatic mode grants greater control by combining manual and automated planning. You can manually define initial pushbacks through spatial constraints—such as wireframe surfaces—then automate the creation of subsequent stages. This method offers a strategic balance of precision control and planning efficiency.

Additional Filtering Capabilities

To enhance precision, K-MINE provides filters to dictate which blocks should be included or excluded from specific pushbacks. Proper use of these filters, paired with comprehensive deposit knowledge, can significantly improve mine planning outcomes.

Reviewing Results: Incremental vs. Cumulative Modes

Results can be analyzed in two viewing modes:

• Incremental Mode: Displays only the blocks specific to each selected pushback.

• Cumulative Mode: Includes all blocks from previous stages, aiding comprehensive analysis.

Integration with Block Models and Visualization

Final pushback plans can be directly incorporated into block models, allowing visualization without re-running optimization processes. Calculated results appear as wireframes, forming a foundational basis for downstream mine designs.

Combining Art and Science in Pushback Creation

Effective pushback creation requires both analytical skills and intuitive judgment. Understanding your project’s specifics, paired with flexible experimentation, ensures optimal mining solutions.

Dive into K-MINE’s pushback tools—experiment, refine, and optimize your mining strategy.