Extended Ultimate-Pit-Limit Methodology for Optimizing Surface-to-Underground Mining Transition in Metal Mines

Figure 5

(a) 3D model of optimal design for surface-to-underground mining transition in the Dagushan iron mine; (b) distribution of current open pit, optimal and original design for surface-to-underground mining transition by the proposed approach and conventional UPL methodology, in a cross-section of the iron deposit. Note. (1) and are the size of the crown pillar in the optimal and original designs, respectively. (2) The iron deposit illustrated in Figure 5(a) provides the current shape, which is the same as the deposit in Figure 4.

(a)

(b)