| Article ID: | iaor1999759 |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Volume: | 8 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Start Page Number: | 1 |
| End Page Number: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | Jan 1997 |
| Journal: | South African Journal of Industrial Engineering |
| Authors: | Steynberg Hendrik, Conradie P.J. |
| Keywords: | simulation: applications, artificial intelligence: decision support |
An underground coal mine is almost totally mechanised today. One of the methods of extraction is pillar development with expensive resources that include continuous miners, shuttle cars, roof bolters, feeder breakers, and conveyor belts. Currently the only mechanism to support decision making, regarding scheduling and resource capacities, is the experience of the miner, the shift boss and the manager. This article presents a new approach where a simulation model, linked to a user-friendly interface, is used to evaluate different scenarios.