Reclamation project selection using fuzzy decision-making methods

Mining is a very important activity for the local and global economy, but most mining operations inevitably lead to substantial environmental damage. After the mining activity is complete, suitable reclamation policies should be applied to post-mining areas. If possible, reclamation activities should be implemented while mining operations continue. In this study, different reclamation project alternatives prepared by Magnesite Mine Company were evaluated using decision-making methods. To select the most suitable one among these reclamation projects, a decision-making process was prepared. As a branch of Operations Research, decision making is a widely used application in both science and social sciences. There are many different methods developed to solve decision-making problems in the literature. Two different fuzzy decision-making methods, Yager's method and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, are employed in this paper. It was concluded that both Yager's and fuzzy AHP methods may help to solve decision-making problems about reclamation activities in mining.