Logistic evaluation of an underground mine using simulation

This paper describes a logistic study about an underground gold mine, belonging to AngloGold Ashanti, where four different layout options could be applied to the tunnels, and also different transportation strategies. Each evaluated layout had its own configuration for shaft and truck fleet. The study was made individually for each year of the mine operation life, determining the necessary transportation capacity to achieve the planned production at that year. Due to the very restrictive traffic options in the tunnels, a framework was developed to represent the tunnels and traffic rules in a discrete-event simulation model. The results identified the scenario with the lowest necessary transportation capacity to achieve the planned production.