Simulation-optimization truck dispatch problem using look - ahead algorithm in open pit mines

Material transportation in open-pit mines area contributes to 50% of the operating costs. Therefore, efficiency on the material transportation, specifically in truck dispatching problem needs to be done in order to get the best dispatching rules for the allocation of trucks and loaders. This research uses look-ahead algorithm approach as a new method to solve truck dispatch problem in open-pit mines area. The proposed approach was developed by simulation and optimization model in solving the truck dispatch problem using real data-situation. The dispatching result aims to answer the question where and when should a truck go so that could maximize the number of production and provide significant operating cost savings to the mining industry. This study uses a discrete event simulation to test several scenarios methods of truck dispatch, including LP-Gap, the percentage of LP-Gap, multi-stage algorithm and look-ahead algorithm. The results of the research shows that the look-ahead algorithm scenario gives the highest result with the number of production, productivity of loaders, productivity of trucks with block and without block; 43,533 ton, 64.44%, 80.53% and 63.47%.