A Novel Method for Exploiting the "Gerde" Limestone Mine, Safety increasing and Purposeful Material Stockpiling for the Arta Ardabil Cement Plant (A Technical-Economic Plan for Selective Mining, Multi-zone Stockpiling, Enhanced Safety, and Reduced Transport and Production Costs)

The current exploitation method at the Garde limestone mine, operated for the Arta Ardabil Cement Plant, involves the extraction and haulage of materials without any quality segregation, leading to significant operational, safety, and financial challenges. This paper presents a novel technical-economic alternative based on selective mining and multi-zone, in-mine stockpiling. By utilizing geochemical mapping and real-time analysis, the proposed method segregates extracted materials into distinct stockpiles directly at the mine site based on key chemical indices such as sulfate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium oxide. The plan involves decoupling the haulage operation from the contractor's tonnage-based payment system, replacing it with volume-based measurements using drone surveying, and investing in a dedicated company-owned fleet of loaders and dump trucks. The anticipated benefits include a substantial reduction in haulage costs (from ۱۵۰,۰۰۰ to approximately ۴۰,۰۰۰-۵۰,۰۰۰ Rials per ton, yielding annual savings of ۱۲۵ billion Rials), a dramatic extension of the mine's useful life from ۳۰ to approximately ۱۴۰ years, enhanced kiln feed quality through controlled blending, and significantly improved safety standards. With an initial capital investment of ۲۱۰ billion Rials for new machinery, the project demonstrates a payback period of less than two years. The study concludes that the implementation of this strategic plan is not only economically viable but essential for the sustainable and profitable long-term operation of the cement plant.

کلیدواژه ها:

Safety ، Selective Mining ، In-Quarry Stockpiling ، Limestone Quarry ، Cement Industry ، Cost Reduction ، Mine Life Extension