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Ultimate Pit Limit Optimization Method with Integrated Consideration of Ecological Cost, Slope Safety and Benefits: A Case Study of Heishan Open Pit Coal Mine

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  • Xiaochuan Xu

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Zhenguo Zhu

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Luqing Ye

    (National Energy Group Xinjiang Zhundong Energy Co., Ltd., Changji 831700, China)

  • Xiaowei Gu

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Qing Wang

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Yunqi Zhao

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Siyi Liu

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Yuqi Zhao

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
    Science and Technology Innovation Center of Smart Water and Resource Environment, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

Abstract

The ecological impacts of mining and the instability of slopes are the key factors restricting the safe, efficient, and low-carbon production of open-pit mines. This study focused on the ultimate pit limit (UPL) optimization under the concept of sustainability by integrating consideration of the economic benefit, ecological impact, and slope geometry. The integrated UPL optimization model based on the floating cone method was proposed by establishing a quantitative model for ecological impacts arising from open-pit coal mining in arid or semi-arid weak ecological land and a cost calculation model of slope reinforcement based on the Monte Carlo method. The case study revealed that steepening the slope angle of given regions resulted in random variations in the quantity of ore rock and the limit morphology. There was an average economic profit rise of USD 9.54M with every 1° increase in slope angle, but the probability of slope instability and the reinforcement cost grows exponentially. In the arid or semi-arid weak ecological land, the ecological costs exceeded 20% of the mines’ average pure economic gains. The proposed optimization method contributes to obtaining an integrated optimal UPL, improving the benefits and the ore recovery rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaochuan Xu & Zhenguo Zhu & Luqing Ye & Xiaowei Gu & Qing Wang & Yunqi Zhao & Siyi Liu & Yuqi Zhao, 2024. "Ultimate Pit Limit Optimization Method with Integrated Consideration of Ecological Cost, Slope Safety and Benefits: A Case Study of Heishan Open Pit Coal Mine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5393-:d:1421791
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    References listed on IDEAS

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