Resumen

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.

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

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