Abstract

RAZA, M.A. et al. Cost modelling for dimension stone quarry operations. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. [online]. 2023, vol.123, n.11, pp.521-525. ISSN 2411-9717.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/1578/2023.

Dimension stone mining is Increasing because of growing demand from the building and construction industries. Diamond wire saw cutting is a popular dimension stone mining technique around the world. Estimation of the production cost for this method is critical for these operations. In this research a production cost model was developed for the mining of granite using a diamond wire saw. Cost and production data were collected from a granitic dolerite operation in Pakistan for a 4.5-year period, and analysed to identify the cost components. Fuel (34%), labour (15%), consumables (40%), and maintenance (5%) were found to be the four major cost components in this operation. A regression-based dimension stone production cost model incorporating statistically significant variables was developed. The data presented a strong correlation of production cost with fuel, labour, and consumables costs. Finally, a production cost model based on the consumption cost of diamond wire is presented. The model was verified using actual production cost data, which indicated 95% (R² = 0.95) variance in the data between the predicted and actual production cost values. The model may help field engineers in computing their dimension stone operational cost during the cutting phase.

Keywords : dimension stone; diamond wire saw; modelling; production cost; granite mining.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )