Musingwini, C.Minnitt, R.C.A.Woodhall, M.2018-08-242018-08-242007-02Musingwini, C., Minnitt, R.C.A. and Woodhall, M. 2007. Technical operating flexibility in the analysis of mine layouts and schedules. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 107 (2), pp. 129-136.2225-6253https://hdl.handle.net/10539/25489This paper is a revised version of a paper presented in the Proceedings of the Second International Platinum Conference, 'Platinum Surges Ahead' in 2006. The work described in this paper is part of a current PhD study at the University of the Witwatersrand.Often overlooked factor in the analysis of mine layouts and schedules is technical operating flexibility (or tactical flexibility), mainly due to its nebulous nature. By glossing over technical operating flexibility the resultant mine layouts and schedules may be suboptimal. The need to incorporate technical operating flexibility into the analysis and comparison of mine layouts and schedules is increasing in importance. The nature of technical operating flexibility is illustrated, previous work on valuing of operating flexibility reviewed, and a proposal made on how technical operating flexibility can be quantified for tabular reef mines by using a platinum reef deposit as a case study. Once technical operating flexibility has been quantified it becomes possible to explore its incorporation into the analysis of mine layouts and schedules and subsequent optimization processes. This paper is a revised version of a paper presented in the Proceedings of the Second International Platinum Conference, 'Platinum Surges Ahead' in 2006. The work described in this paper is part of a current PhD study at the University of the Witwatersrand.en© 2007. The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This Journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.Mine plansOre availabilityTactical flexibilityOperating flexibilityPlatinumProcess controlMineral industryMine layoutsArticle