Gold mine in Western Australia

1,000+

dynamic simulations conducted in 2 months

50% increase

in production targeted in long-term strategy

16-week study

to identify and fix bottlenecks

Challenges

Help ensure the continued viability of the gold mine by increasing haulage from underground operations.
Address logistical bottlenecks preventing the company from reaching its five-year capacity goal for the mine.
Improve efficiency by improving throughput without adding new equipment.

Mapped the mine's design, including haulage routes and stockpiles.
Linked a dynamic model to the mine's planning software, tracking the flow of goods, people, and machinery on site, including scheduling, decision rules, and fine details.
Identified jumbo operations to be the main bottleneck, and found opportunities to improve prioritization of stoping and production activities.
Used a dynamic model to empower the company, enabling it to challenge traditional operating and planning practices in a workshop environment.

Numerous productivity improvements and strategic expansion options evaluated in just two months.
Simulations tested fleet-configuration options and capabilities of jumbos, boggers, and haul trucks.
Complex rules and interdependences for this operation were shared, collecting knowledge to help the company make better decisions.
Dynamic model is being used to target a five-year, 50% increase in production through underground mine expansion options.