The design of pushbacks is one of the most important elements in open-pit mining planning. This technique consists of defining excavation phases that are economically viable, technically safe and strategically organized to optimize resource cleaning.
A good design of pushbacks allows you to move forward in stages, prioritizing the areas of greatest value and maintaining the stability of operations. By choosing the right design, laurel operations gain in efficiency, mineral utilization and cost control, generating added value to the project.
To plan the project of pushbacks, there are different methods that can be applied according to the type of deposit and the objectives of each mining phase. Learn about the following: Incremental and Directional methods, two approaches widely used in the sector.
What are they? pushbacks?
You pushbacks play a key role in the design and optimization of open pit mines. Production scheduling is based on the underlying set of pushbacks.
Therefore, the manner and approach used to select, design and program the pushbacks have a significant impact, especially in the profitability of the mine.
Based on the pushbacks We can perform operational controls on mining progress, production control, material blending, equipment allocation, among others.
You pushbacks will be essential for the final results to be mining progress as close as possible to the operational one. There are different methodologies for defining these mining phases, each adapted to the specific needs of the project.
Pushback design methods
To facilitate the design and planning of pushbacks, two main approaches are used: the MIncremental method and the Directional Method. These methodologies offer distinct excavation strategies that help improve production and maintain consistency in phase execution.
1. Incremental Method: Geometry and Economic Value
O incremental method It is widely used when the objective is to maintain a consistent geometry throughout the phases, ensuring simplicity and control. In this method, planning occurs through parameters such as excavation depth, number of benches, width of the pushbacks and a minimum mass defined in tons.
These parameters help to structure a series of phases with a regular and predictable format.
Furthermore, the incremental method uses an economic value draw to define the priority excavation blocks. This value analysis is essential to direct the opening of the phases to the areas of greatest economic value, optimizing the financial return on mining.
2. Directional Method: Directional Control for More Complex Mining
O directional method follows the same premises as incremental, but offers an additional advantage: the possibility of defining a specific azimuth to control the direction of the pushback.
This feature is particularly useful in projects where there is a need to advance in a preferred direction, either to facilitate access to different areas of the warehouse or to improve the flow of operations.. The flexibility of the directional method allows for a more customized approach, suitable for complex mines with specific layout constraints.
Comparison of Methods: When to Use Each One?
Both design methods pushbacks — Incremental and Directional — have specific characteristics that meet different types of projects. The choice between them depends on production objectives, warehouse conditions and operational complexity. See the comparison below:
Simplicity and Consistency
Incremental Method: Ideal for projects that prioritize consistent and simplified geometry. Recommended for operations with repetitive production cycles and less need for adjustments in the mining direction.
Directional Method: Offers more flexibility, especially useful in mines that require layout adjustments and direction control.
Directional Control
Incremental Method: It has no directional control, as its approach is focused on stable geometric patterns.
Directional Method: Allows adjustment of the azimuth to direct the phases, ideal for deposits that require directional advances or need to respect specific layout constraints.
Economic Use
Both methods allow the selection of blocks with the highest economic value. In Incremental, the focus is on constant geometry; in Directional, this selection occurs considering the ideal direction for extraction.
Application in Long or Complex Projects
Incremental Method: Recommended for less complex operations that can follow a direct phasing pattern, without the need for variable directions.
Directional Method: Best suited for long-term mines with multiple value zones, where steering control can optimize the mine layout over time.
These points help in choosing the most appropriate method, ensuring that the design of the mining phases aligns with the production and value objectives of the project.
Tools for Pushback Design
In practice, the execution of these design methodologies pushbacks requires advanced tools that facilitate both the definition of parameters and the visualization and export of results.
Mine planning software that supports incremental and user-driven methods in an integrated environment, with phase data easily visualized and exportable to 3D platforms, or that optimizes the decision-making process.
Meet the MinePlan Project Evaluator (MPPE)
For companies looking for robust software that simplifies and optimizes the design of pushbacks, O MinePlan Project Evaluator (MPPE) offers the incremental and directional functionalities described, with direct integration to MinePlan 3D to view the results.
In MPPE, each mining phase can be planned precisely, and the pushbacks generated are easily exported and analyzed. O software It also generates detailed reports with essential data to evaluate each mining phase and maximize the economic value of the project.. Figure 01 highlights where the method to be used is defined and the other functions for defining the phase characteristics.
Figure 1: Task pushback – Method of design
You pushbacks generated are listed in the tab shells of Evaluator and can be viewed and exported directly to the MinePlan 3D. Figure 02 illustrates a section exemplifying this integration.
Figure 2: pushbacks visas in section through the MinePlan 3D.
To access the results and export the values obtained, simply right-click on the tasks pushbacks and go on Results. Graphs and tables will be generated with all the information for each of the phases. Figure 03 exemplifies the reports generated by Evaluator.
Figure 3: Results generated by MPPE.
Wassup, did you like this tip? For more information about the MinePlan Project Evaluator, in addition to other features and tools of the MinePlan, contact our team and we will be happy to serve you.
