Digitalization of mine operations: Scenarios to benefit in real-time truck dispatching

One of the key factors in a profitable open-pit mine is the efficiency of the waste disposal system. Using GPS-technology, the truck-dispatching decisions can be made in real-time but the chosen strategy has a crucial role. Therefore, finding the optimal dispatching strategy for truck-shovel operations is extremely important. Dispatching strategies have been reported in the literature, but the comparison of these strategies is still missing. This paper illustrates the differences between the strategies by conducting a stochastic simulation study based on the data gathered from an actual mine. The findings underline the importance of the global vision in dispatching decisions. Keywords: Discrete event simulation, GPS, Truck dispatching, Cycle time, Fleet management