Combined simulation modeling using simplified discrete event simulation approach: a mining case study

Functionalities for combined modeling (discrete plus continuous) have been embedded in sophisticated simulation tools to enable the representation of complicated construction operations systems in the real world. Yet, the application cost for combined modeling in terms of learning and modeling efforts generally remains on high order, thus making combined modeling features largely underutilized by or inaccessible to modelers who are domain experts instead of simulation specialists. In this research, we propose a simplified approach to "discretize" the continuous elements in combined modeling by using a batch-based modeling strategy with insignificant loss of accuracy. Each batch denotes the amount of material handled by a resource unit in the discrete system, which is further processed by a plant with continuous characteristics. A practical mining case study is presented to illustrate and verify our approach. The simulation model assisted the mining company in configuring the processes and optimizing the resource allocation and utilization in its mining operations.