Development of flexible production systems for strip mining

Since the inception of the concept of flexible production systems (FPS) in the early nineteen sixties, FPS have been applied successfully to manufacturing, and, of late, to construction as well. As the mining production process exhibits some similarities to both manufacturing and construction, it is appropriate to consider the applications of FPS to strip mining with the objective of deriving the same process benefits as have already been obtained in manufacturing.

The concepts of flexibility as understood in manufacturing are introduced and particular concepts for flexible strip mining systems (FSMS) are developed. The paper shows how FSMS can be applied and realized. The organizational and managerial prerequisites for such applications are discussed.

A knowledge base for the consequent development of flexible strip mining is prepared and the application of current FMS planning and design concepts to strip mining is described. The paper concludes with the statement that FSMS is a viable new technology approach to the planning, design and equipment allocation in strip coal mines. Though the degree of flexibility is considerably lower in strip mining than in construction or manufacturing, strip mining can still be analyzed within the FPS framework. There is a potential for successful application of FPS in strip mining, especially in larger, more diverse mines.