A method has been developed for study and evaluation of overburden removal systems in open pit mining. The computer simulation method shows the effect of vehicle and course characteristics and the control of loading time on overall production and cost per unit of overburden removed. Data are available from vehicle manufacturers and from past mining experience. The data are punched onto processing cards and the system is then simulated and analyzed using a digital computer. The products of the system simulation consist of a tabulated listing of all control variables after each simulated vehicle loading and a system summary predicting shift production, cost per ton, vehicle delay times, and average queue lengths at the load and dump facilities. Mine management can use the results of the system simulation as a tool to help determine optimum fleet size and type for maximum production and minimum cost --Abstract, page i
