Analysis of active volume of ore storage

An intermediate ore storage with a capacity of 35 kt was fed from two inlets, each with a fixed chute position. The question was how to use as much of the volume as possible with the existing feeders.

We designed different pile shapes and worked out how the piles should be built and how the feeders should be controlled to get as large an active volume as possible. Reaching those pile shapes also required redesigning the rockboxes, and we used DEM simulations to evaluate the chute designs. The designs were evaluated for different periods of the life of mine plan, and for running more material through one inlet or the other.

The work gave proposals for a better and more even use of the storage.