Consulting · Optimisation
Mine Optimisation
Pit shell and cut-off grade optimisation, mining method and equipment selection, and value-engineering reviews that lift NPV and reduce risk — for both new projects and operating mines.
More value from the same orebody
Optimisation that compounds
Optimisation is where engineering turns directly into dollars. Small changes to pit shells, cut-off grades, mining method or scale can shift a project's net present value by a wide margin — and the same is true for operating mines under cost or price pressure.
We interrogate the assumptions behind a plan and systematically test the levers that drive value.
The best plan is rarely the first plan. Optimisation finds the value that good engineering leaves on the table.
Scope
What our optimisation service covers
Pit optimisation
Pit shell generation and selection (e.g. Lerchs–Grossmann), revenue factor analysis and phase design.
Cut-off grade optimisation
Cut-off strategies that balance grade, throughput and value across the mine life.
Method & scale trade-offs
Comparison of mining methods, production rates and scale to identify the value-maximising option.
Equipment & productivity
Fleet and productivity reviews to lift utilisation, reduce unit cost and unlock capacity.
Value engineering
Targeted reviews of designs, schedules and costs to remove waste and improve returns.
Debottlenecking
Identifying and relieving the constraints that cap production or inflate cost.
Outcomes
Measurable uplift in value
- Optimised pit shells, cut-offs and method selection underpinning the plan
- A clear, quantified link between engineering decisions and NPV
- Practical productivity and cost improvements for operating mines
- Trade-off studies that compare options on a consistent, value-based footing
- Recommendations prioritised by value, effort and risk
FAQ
Mine optimisation, answered
What is pit optimisation?
Pit optimisation determines the most valuable open pit outline for a given orebody, cost structure and price deck — commonly using algorithms such as Lerchs–Grossmann — then converts the selected shells into practical pushbacks and phase designs. The outcome is a defensible economic envelope for design, scheduling and Ore Reserve work.
What is cut-off grade optimisation?
Cut-off grade optimisation determines the grade above which material is treated as ore rather than waste, balancing grade, throughput, cost and price over the mine life. Optimising the cut-off strategy dynamically — rather than fixing a single break-even number — frequently lifts net present value with no change to the resource.
Can optimisation help an operating mine, not just a new project?
Yes. Go Engineering undertakes optimisation and value-engineering reviews for operating mines using production and reconciliation analysis, scheduling reviews, equipment productivity assessment and economic evaluation — revisiting cut-offs, sequencing and bottlenecks often unlocks value without major capital.
Sources: AusIMM Study Processes Handbook — Monograph 35 (2024) · AusIMM codes & standards
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Is there more value in the plan?
Pit shells, cut-off grades, mining method and equipment selection. Tell us where the plan sits and we will review it.