A computer simulation model of a monorail-based mining system for decline development

This article describes a computer simulation model used to estimate the performance of a conceptual monorail system to be used in decline development. The system consists of the drilling and loading components that use monorail technology to drill and clean the face during decline development. The two systems work simultaneously at the face in such a way that as the top part of the face is being drilled the pneumatic loading system cleans the face. A simulation model is used to estimate the advance rate per shift against which operational performance is measured. GPSS/H simulation software and PROOF animation technology are used to model the two systems. Results indicate that the monorail system performs significantly better than the conventional loader-truck mining system in terms of total cycle time. There is a reduction of 22.1% (or approximately 2.4 h) in the total cycle time when the monorail system is applied.