Integration of sustainable development concepts in open pit mine design

The Ultimate Pit Limit (UPL) design is an important step in open pit mining. The objective function for UPL determination is usually maximization of profit (economic aspect) that satisfies the mine owners and shareholders. However, from the viewpoint of Sustainable Development (SD), there are three aspects for mining activities including: environmental, social and economic. All aspects of SD must be properly considered during the UPL design. In addition to the mine owner, mining has other stakeholders that the mine designer must consider their interests and concerns. Integration of SD aspects in UPL design is a challenge and there is not any comprehensive method in this regard. This paper describes an attempt to address this challenge by developing a methodology using mathematical optimization and SD indicators. According to this model, it is possible to integrate the SD principles in UPL design. In that regard, the UPL problem is converted into a Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) problem. Then the best solution is found by the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The proposed model is applied in a copper mine as a case study. The research findings show that the UPL selection based on SD concepts may lead to a larger pit than traditional method (profit optimization). It also contains greater ore and lower profit than the traditional UPL.