Evaluation of the Relative Efficiency of Production Drilling Methods in Sublevel Stoping by DEA

Abstract

In sublevel stoping method, production costs are comprised of development, stoping, loading and haulage, crushing and conveying, and lastly supervision and service. Among these divisions, stoping cost can be variable by reason of using different production drilling methods. Also development and stoping cost forms the main part of the operation's costs. Therefore identification of the efficient production drilling method greatly can be functional to decrease operation's costs. Relative efficiency consideration of production drilling methods is one of the helpful measures to recognize the efficient system in this respect. Accordingly in this paper production drilling methods of sublevel stoping which have highly appropriate performance and production rate are introduced. Subsequently different variation of a hypothesized production block's dimensions is assessed. Furthermore a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model is generated through a hypothetical production block with dimension of 40 and 90 m in width and height respectively as a trial. The inputs of the model are the drilling costs and the operation times. As well the outputs are the volume and uniformity of the blasted ore. Finally the result has been concluded that, in different size of a production block relative efficiency of each feasible drilling method is not the same. Also it is shown that parallel drilling method has the highest rate of relative efficiency amongst the feasible drilling methods.