Software Application in Mining Engineering

Mahrous A.M. Ali¹

¹Al-Azhar University, Qena, Egypt

Min. miner. depos. 2018, 12(1):48-53

https://doi.org/10.15407/mining12.01.048

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ABSTRACT

Purpose. The main purpose is solving transportation problems using some methods of transportation modeling by linear programming. Linear programming has already demonstrated its value as an aid to making decisions in mining, business, industry, and governmental applications. This paper discusses how to solve transportation problems using manual solution method and computer software solutions. The transportation model deals with a special case of linear programming problems whose objective is to “transport” a single commodity from various “points of departure” to different “destinations” at minimum total cost.

Methods. In this paper, we used manual and computer software to solve many problems in mining engineering.

Findings. The optimum solution for the problems occurring in the mine site, which will apply for future problems in different conditions, has been obtained. It was proved that results are identical because they produce the same effect when solving the problem using the following five methods: northwest corner method; minimum cost method; row minimum cost method; column minimum cost method, and Vogel’s approximation method.

Originality. The new trend is how to use computer application in solving all mining problems and obtain the optimum solution for any problem considering the constraints.

Practical implications. All the suggested solutions are optimum ways to solve mining problems which can be applied to any problem beyond the studied field.

Keywords: transportation problem, linear programming, Microsoft Excel solver, Lindo software

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