Author(s)

Antipas T. S. Massawe, Mussa Daniel

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The technological scheme of a hard rock surface mine is a multiple level production system of interdependently func-tioning elements. Selection of the optimum combination of its elements constitutes a complex multiple variant and criteria problem of decision making. In this paper describes the theoretical part of the method proposed for the quantitative analysis and selection of the most competent technological schemes, based on the mathematical formulations of the selection criteria of the element of each level as functions of the alternative variants of the elements of the level and its adjacent levels. It is realized in accordance to standard procedures of decision making in the formation of the economical mathematical model of the cumulative influence of levels and elements on the effectiveness of all alternative variants in their analysis and generation of a small subset of the most competent variants, which are subjected to further analysis using the criterion of reliability in the generation of the optimum technological scheme. The scientific challenge inherent in its realization constitutes a PhD research opportunity for those interested in the problems of optimization in hard rock surface mines.

Level, Alternative Variants, Technological Schemes, Selection, Competent Variants

A. Massawe and M. Daniel, "Theoretical Basis for Multiple Criteria Analysis of Variants and Selection of the Most Effective Technological Scheme for Hard Rock Surface Mining," Engineering, Vol. 3 No. 1, 2011, pp. 83-89. doi: 10.4236/eng.2011.31010.