Sustainable Optimisation of Mining Complexes through Innovative Algorithms

The Challenge

Jointly optimising ore production and waste management planning for an open pit mining complex comprising multiple pits, processing streams and waste dumps, using innovative metaheuristic algorithms. 

Key Findings 

• Integrated optimisation of production and waste scheduling improves economic outcomes and environmental performance compared with conventional approaches.  

• Partial‑extraction methods increase flexibility, reduce emissions, and improve computational efficiency.  

• Tailored metaheuristic algorithms enable scalable optimisation of complex mining systems.  

• The framework is compatible with existing planning tools, supporting practical adoption and more sustainable, data‑driven mine planning. 

Benefit to WA

Improvements to Western Australian mining operations in productivity and reduce costs through more efficient planning, while lowering environmental impacts and emissions, strengthening WA’s capability in advanced, data‑driven mine optimisation and supports more sustainable, globally competitive mining practices. 

DOI

10.71342/642012300435

Lin, J., Asad, M. W. A., Topal, E., & others. (2024). A novel model for sustainable production scheduling of an open-pit mining complex considering waste encapsulation. Resources Policy, 91, 104949.  

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104949 

Lin, J., Asad, M. W. A., Topal, E., & others. (2025). Comparative analysis of mathematical models for integrated production scheduling and sustainable waste management in open-pit mining complexes. Resources Policy, 109, 105694. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105694 

Lin, J., Asad, M. W. A., Topal, E., & Chang, P. (2025). A new simulated annealing algorithm for simultaneous open-pit and waste dump scheduling in mining complexes. PLOS ONE, 20(9), e0333606. 

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333606 

Programming Code

Exact methods for simultaneous open-pit mine production scheduling and waste dump scheduling (partial mining and complete mining): https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17870305. 

The three customised metaheuristic algorithms (SA, PSO, and DE) for the partial mining model: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17050852.