Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine
This study analyzes the distribution of operating costs along the value chain of an open-pit copper mine with a focus on key operational units or operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, stockpiling, blending, crushing, milling, and flotation. Using process costing analysis, key cost...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1602 |
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| author | Hervé Losaladjome Mboyo Bingjie Huo François K. Mulenga Pieride Mabe Fogang Jimmy Kalenga Kaunde Kasongo |
| author_facet | Hervé Losaladjome Mboyo Bingjie Huo François K. Mulenga Pieride Mabe Fogang Jimmy Kalenga Kaunde Kasongo |
| author_sort | Hervé Losaladjome Mboyo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study analyzes the distribution of operating costs along the value chain of an open-pit copper mine with a focus on key operational units or operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, stockpiling, blending, crushing, milling, and flotation. Using process costing analysis, key cost drivers were identified, and their individual contributions to total expenses were quantified. Results revealed that comminution processes dominate the operational cost structure, with milling accounting for 6.18 USD/ton, representing 59.1% of total operating costs, and crushing costing 1.15 USD/ton, that is, 11% of total operating expenditure. The study also highlighted several opportunities for cost reduction and enhanced mining sustainability through strategies such as energy consumption optimization, the use of alternative energy sources, and optimized blast design. Finally, valuable insights aimed at promoting sustainable resource utilization, improved cost efficiency, and data-driven decision-making in mining operations are offered to mine planners and operators. This is eventually expected to lay the foundation for benchmarking work on the establishment of a baseline and standards for similar mining operations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c2bc47ee4cd04742b9c32837ca3096be |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-c2bc47ee4cd04742b9c32837ca3096be2025-08-20T02:48:06ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-02-01153160210.3390/app15031602Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper MineHervé Losaladjome Mboyo0Bingjie Huo1François K. Mulenga2Pieride Mabe Fogang3Jimmy Kalenga Kaunde Kasongo4School of Mining, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin 123000, ChinaSchool of Mining, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin 123000, ChinaDepartment of Mining Engineering, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Private Bag X6, Johannesburg 1710, South AfricaSchool of Mining, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin 123000, ChinaDepartment of Mining Engineering, Polytechnic Faculty, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi P.O. Box 1825, Democratic Republic of the CongoThis study analyzes the distribution of operating costs along the value chain of an open-pit copper mine with a focus on key operational units or operations such as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, stockpiling, blending, crushing, milling, and flotation. Using process costing analysis, key cost drivers were identified, and their individual contributions to total expenses were quantified. Results revealed that comminution processes dominate the operational cost structure, with milling accounting for 6.18 USD/ton, representing 59.1% of total operating costs, and crushing costing 1.15 USD/ton, that is, 11% of total operating expenditure. The study also highlighted several opportunities for cost reduction and enhanced mining sustainability through strategies such as energy consumption optimization, the use of alternative energy sources, and optimized blast design. Finally, valuable insights aimed at promoting sustainable resource utilization, improved cost efficiency, and data-driven decision-making in mining operations are offered to mine planners and operators. This is eventually expected to lay the foundation for benchmarking work on the establishment of a baseline and standards for similar mining operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1602open-pit copper mineoperating costsmine planningresource utilizationeconomic viabilitymine value chain |
| spellingShingle | Hervé Losaladjome Mboyo Bingjie Huo François K. Mulenga Pieride Mabe Fogang Jimmy Kalenga Kaunde Kasongo Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine Applied Sciences open-pit copper mine operating costs mine planning resource utilization economic viability mine value chain |
| title | Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine |
| title_full | Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine |
| title_fullStr | Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine |
| title_short | Distribution of Operating Costs Along the Value Chain of an Open-Pit Copper Mine |
| title_sort | distribution of operating costs along the value chain of an open pit copper mine |
| topic | open-pit copper mine operating costs mine planning resource utilization economic viability mine value chain |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1602 |
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