An application of closed queueing networks theory in truck-shovel systems

ABSTRACT Primary applications of queueing networks theory have been in the area of computer systems and computer communication networks analysis and performance. The application introduced here is a steady state analysis of a generalized truck-shovel system in a typical open pit mine. The service time distributions of each activity are assumed to be of a general form. The approach used here minimizes the error of performance parameter estimates of the most saturated service center. The formulation allows one to obtain estimates of systemparameters relatively fast and very close to those obtained by simulation. The relative error of the criticalperformance parameter estimates as compared to those obtained by simulation do not exceed 5%. The output of the model can be used within various optimization schemes for design and operational control of open pit mining systems.