Simulation Modeling of Transport Flows of Copper Deposit

Abstract

This paper describes the management of the transport system of copper deposit on the basis of the simulation model developed with Arena 14.0 (Rockwell Automation). The paper gives the review of methods used to study the transport system of the mining enterprise; describes the simulation model of dump trucks moving along pendulum routes in the copper mine. The paper also analyses the alternative methods of arranging the overburden transportation from the mining area. The study was conducted using the following methods: systematic calculation methods with the elements of discrete mathematics, discrete event simulation modelling with Arena 14.0 (Rockwell Automation). A computer-based experiment was carried out to select the optimal way of transportation of copper ore from the mining area to the ore processing plant. As a result of this experiment the detailed statistics were obtained describing the main parameters of the transport system performance, such as volume of the mine rock being transported, transport utilization rate, downtime percentage, average number of dump truck haul cycles, etc. The developed simulation model enables to study the complex system in real time and optimize the number and characteristics of transport, thus ensuring the efficient management of the transport system.