Start main page content

Mine Planning and Optimisation Research Group

MPORG is a research group domiciled within the Wits School of Mining Engineering, although some of its members are from outside the School. The group trains postgraduate research students and undertakes research in various intertwined fundamental and emerging techniques in mine planning and optimisation.

These include:

  • Optimisation of long-term, medium-term, and short-term mine planning and production scheduling
  • Mine design layout optimisation including spatial and temporal alignment
  • Strategic valuation of mineral projects
  • Cut-off grade (COG) optimisation
  • Simulation of operational mining systems and equipment fleets
  • Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM).
Members of the Research Group
  • Prof. Cuthbert Musingwini (Research Group Director, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Dr Paseka Leeuw (Head of School of Mining Engineering)
  • Dr Clinton Birch (Senior Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Dr Milka Madahana (Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Mr Mahlomola Isaac Mabala (lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Dr Joseph Githiria (Senior Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Dr Tinashe Tholana (Senior Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Mr Lefu Mohloki (Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Mr Bright Mutandwa (Lecturer, School of Mining Engineering)
  • Prof. Montaz Ali (Professor, School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics)
  • Dr Pathy Muke (Services Software Consultant, Dassault Systèmes/Geovia software)
Publications by the group members

Incorporating a machine learning approach for commodity price prediction to generate a cut-off grade optimisation policy under grade uncertainty” by J. Githiria, C. Musingwini, M. Madahana, G. Khangamwa. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, Vol.39, No.6, pp.437-458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2024.2420697.

A genetic algorithm for temporal and spatial alignment of long- and medium-term mine production scheduling for open-pit mines” by P. Muke, T. Tholana, C. Musingwini and M. Ali. Resources Policy, Vol.106, July 2025, pp.1-17, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105629

A comparison of methods for determining weights of criteria in multi-criteria decision-making problems in mine planning” by M.J. Mahase, T. Tholana, C. Musingwini and B. Mutandwa. Proceedings: Application of Computers & Operations Research in the Minerals Industry (APCOM) 2025, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Perth, Australia, 10-13 August 2025, pp.705-721. ISBN 978-1-922395-50-4

Towards a system for integrating open-pit mine production scheduling stages” by P. Muke, T. Tholana, C. Musingwini, M. Ali and B. Mutandwa. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Perth, Australia, 10-13 August 2025, pp.789-810. ISBN 978-1-922395-50-4.

Multi-criteria selection of a travelling way development method at a case study conventional underground platinum mine” by B. Meyer, C. Musingwini and T. Tholana. Proceedings: Application of Computers & Operations Research in the Minerals Industry (APCOM) 2025, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Perth, Australia, 10-13 August 2025, pp.771-788. ISBN 978-1-922395-50-4.

A systematic review of cut-off grade optimisation approaches - application benefits and challenges” by J. Githiria, C. Musingwini and B. Mutandwa. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Perth, Australia, 10-13 August 2025, pp.603-620. ISBN 978-1-922395-50-4.

Comparison of technical operating flexibility and operating cost performance at selected underground platinum mines for long-term operational viability” by B.M. Grobbelaar, C. Musingwini, L.J. Mohloki and B. Mutandwa. Proceedings Book: 9th International PGM Conference: ‘PGMs – Enabling a Cleaner World’, The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), Sun City, South Africa, 27-29 October 2025, pp.313-324. ISBN 978-0-6398820-5-5.

IMVAL Template: A critical analysis of the first 10 years of existence, adoption, success, challenges and its future” by G. Njowa, A.N. Clay and C. Musingwini. Proceedings Book:  International Mineral Asset Valuation Conference 2025: ‘Navigating Mineral Asset Valuations in an Uncertain Future’, The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1-3 October 2025, pp.1-16. ISBN 978-0-6398820-3-1.

Postgraduate students graduated by the group’s members
  • PhD: Pathy Muke. Thesis title: “A dynamic long-term and medium-term integrated open-pit mine production scheduling system based on the genetic algorithm” supervised by Dr Tinashe Tholana, Prof. Cuthbert Musingwini and Prof. Montaz Ali.

 

Share