Automated Dig Limits Module

The Vulcan Automated Dig Limits module maximises the profit for mining of each mining block. It applies geostatistical techniques to the available block information to measure the profit of the blocks within the dig limit, in comparison to a penalty based on the mining equipment constraints. The optimisation process produces a mining boundary for use in grade control which maximises the economic benefit from a blast material classification.

Mining "digability" for a blast or mining block can be determined using equipment specification curves with penalties applied for mining blast boundaries with acute angles.
Simulated annealing is used to determine the best outcome, balancing mining recovery and grade constraints for each equipment type.
Results can be displayed as layers within Vulcan for upload to survey devices for field markup of mining benches.