Stockpiles

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How MiningMath handles stockpiles

Stockpiles are handled as a post-processing step in the optimization algorithm. After generating the mining surfaces, the algorithm reviews blocks initially discarded during the optimization process.

MiningMath evaluates whether the block’s net value (Revenue – Fixed Mining Cost – Rehandling Cost) exceeds the cost of discarding it, applying the appropriate discount rates of the extraction periods and of the processing periods. This means that stockpiles are effectively an optimization of blocks originally designated for the dump, potentially recovering additional value. As for selecting a block’s destination, MiningMath applies the same logic of maximizing project value. The software identifies which discarded blocks should be reclaimed to fill production shortfalls over time, ensuring optimal resource utilization. A diagram is depicted below summarizing the stockpile methodology.

Stockpiles setup

To enable the stockpiles on the interface the first step is on the General tab where two inputs are required:

Fixed Mining Cost: value used to decompose the economic value while considering stockpiles.
This cost is essential because MiningMath uses this parameter when calculating economic values. It helps break down the block's value, allowing the algorithm to accurately account for costs incurred during mining and those applied during processing
Rehandling Cost: represents the cost to reclaim blocks from the stockpile to the process.
This cost is applied to break the economic values into parts and apply the discount rate at the time a block is processed.

After that, on the Destinations tab, you can define stockpile limits for each processing plant added, remembering that this limit is based on the life of mine, not in a period timeframe.

Disclaimer: stockpiles and total tonnage

Since stockpiles are a post-processing unit of the algorithm, total tonnage restrictions might be violated when the stockpiles are processed. Total tonnages restrictions are only considered during the processing unit of the algorithm.

Disclaimer: inventory pile, storage and stockpile

When defining the stockpile, MiningMath’s algorithm ensures that ore blocks are not discarded and later recovered from the waste pile. Instead, ore blocks that cannot be processed immediately due to period constraints are sent to the inventory pile after sequencing. During sequencing, blocks are marked for disposal but are only discarded once storage is finalized. This process ensures that ore blocks, marked for disposal due to period constraints, are identified and stored in an inventory for future processing. This prevents blocks from being mistakenly discarded because of scenario constraints.

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Stockpiles

How MiningMath handles stockpiles

Stockpiles setup

Disclaimer: stockpiles and total tonnage

Disclaimer: inventory pile, storage and stockpile

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