The design and scheduling of open cut mines can be optimised using commercially available software. However in the case of underground mines, no such optimisation tools are currently available. This is partly due to the variability in design problems encountered in underground mines and partly due to the complexity of optimisation problems encountered in underground design.

There is a recognised need for improved software tools to support the planning, design and operation of underground operations that would greatly enhance the process and efficiency of operations in relation to long term planning and design. MIRARCO has developed over the last several years an automated sequence optimiser takes currently available mine schedule data, or basic input information (e.g. exploration data), optimises the sequences for specific objectives, and returns alternative schedules or mine plans for review.

MIRARCO is technically leading an international research consortium termed PRIMO (Planning and Rapid Integrated Mine Optimisation) which aims to improve underground mine planning tools in the long term.

The main research areas include:

1. Investigations into development of the optimisation algorithms and related data processes (requires a graduate student with a strong mathematics / computing science background)
2. Applying optimisation methods to underground mine case studies and developing a methodology for better long term planning (students with an engineering background and interest in mine scheduling and planning).

To apply or for more information contact:
Dr. Paul Dunn
Director, Centre for Mining Technology
(705) 675-1151 x. 5074