Discrete Simulation and Animation for Mining Engineers

General Purpose Simulation System (GPSS) is a special computer programming language primarily used to simulate what can be classified as discrete systems. A discrete system is one where, at any given instant in time, a countable number of things can take place. The basic operation of a mine itself can be considered such a system. Discrete Simulation and Animation for Mining Engineers explains how to model mining systems using GPSS/H® and PROOF® by Wolverine Software Corporation. Employing a unique approach that encourages engagement from the start, the text discusses animation first, and then slowly introduces simulation language. As each new topic is covered, an animation is provided to illustrate the key concepts. Leveraging valuable insight gained from the author’s extensive experience modeling mines around the world, the book: Describes how to apply discrete system simulation to mines Shows how to make those simulations come alive with animation Includes real-world examples and exercises that hone practical problem-solving skills Written by a mining engineer for mining engineers and students of mining, Discrete Simulation and Animation for Mining Engineers offers a comprehensive yet accessible treatment of mine simulation and animation useful in increasing the efficiency of industrial mining processes.

What Is PROOF Animation?PROOF AnimationFurther WorkExercisesDrawing a LayoutMaking a CLASSMaking a PathMaking the .ATF fileThe CREATE CommandThe PLACE CommandThe MOVE CommandStudy of TIME and SPEEDExercisesMore on Layouts IMore on LayoutsMaking CurvesMaking CirclesMoving the Grid CoordinatesChanging the Colours of ObjectsExercisesMore on Layouts IIMore on PathsNon-Closed Circular PathsThe Snap to OptionThe DESTROY Command in PROOFExercisesSome PROOF IconsThe SET Command and More PROOF IconsOther forms of the SET CommandSET CLASSSET OBJECTMore PROOF Icons: Navigating the Top Menu BarExercisesMore PROOF IconsMore PROOF Icons: Navigating the Lower Menu BarExercisesIntroduction to the GPSS/H Simulation LanguageIntroduction to GPSS/HRules for Writing Code in GPSS/HContinuing a Line of CodeRunning a GPSS/H ProgramWhat You Will NeedRunning Programs Using the Command Prompt—Up to WindowsRunning Programs from Windows 7 and HigherMaking Changes to a GPSS/H ProgramGiving Names in GPSS/HAnother ExampleFree FormatThe SIMULATE StatementThe END StatementFurther ExampleExercisesThe GENERATE Block and TransactionsThe GENERATE BlockThe Internal GPSS/H ClockCreating TransactionsThe B OperandA Word about Random NumbersResults of Simulation ProgramsMore General Cases of the GENERATE BlockThe PRIORITY BlockThe TERMINATE BlockThe START StatementThe CLEAR StatementThe RMULT StatementExercisesADVANCE and TRANSFER BlocksThe ADVANCE BlockA Caution in Writing ProgramsThe TRANSFER BlockUnconditional TRANSFER ModeThe Conditional TRANSFER BlockExercisesMaking .ATF FilesMaking .ATF Files, PUTSTRING, BPUTSTRING, BPUTPIC, PUTPIC and Standard Numerical AttributesExercisesQUEUE/DEPART BlocksQUEUE/DEPART Blocks—Another PROOF IconAnother PROOF IconExercisesSEIZE/RELEASE BlocksSEIZE and RELEASE BlocksExercisesArithmetic in GPSS/HAmpervariables in GPSS/HArithmetic in GPSS/HThe LET Statement and the BLET BlockAnother Important SNAExercisesENTER/LEAVE BlocksThe ENTER and LEAVE BlocksExercisesOther Forms of the TRANSFER BlockSeveral Other Forms of the TRANSFER BlockExercisesThe TEST BlockThe TEST BlockThe TEST Block in Refusal ModeTEST Block in Normal ModeExercisesStandard Numerical AttributesMore on Standard Numerical AttributesOther SNAsExercisesFunctionsFunctionsExercisesParametersParametersThe ASSIGN BlockA Caution in Using the ADVANCE BlockThe ASSIGN Block in Increment or Decrement ModeThe TRANSFER ,FN(label) BlockGeneral Form of the ASSIGN BlockExercisesMore on ParametersMore on Parameters: The LOOP Block EQU StatementExercisesTABLESTABLES in GPSS/HThe TABLE StatementThe TABULATE BlockStandard Numerical Attributes Associated with TablesThe MARK BlockAdditional TablesExercisesLOGIC Switches and the GATE BlockLOGIC Switches and the GATE BlockAnother Form of the TRANSFER BlockExercisesMiscellaneous StatementsDO LOOPS, IF, GOTO and LET StatementsExercisesThe SELECT and COUNT BlocksThe SELECT and COUNT BlocksThe COUNT BlockOther forms of the SELECT and COUNT BlocksExercisesVariables and ExpressionsVariables and Expressions, Boolean VariablesExercisesThe BUFFER BlockThe BUFFER Block and the SPLIT BlockExercisesThe ASSEMBLY BlockAssembly Sets and the ASSEMBLE BlockThe ASSEMBLE BlockExercisesMATCH, GATHER, and PREEMPT BlocksMATCH, GATHER, and PREEMPT BlocksExercisesMACROsMACROs in GPSS/H SubroutinesExercisesA Few More PROOF IconsA Few More PROOF IconsExercisesSAVEVALUESSAVEVALUESThe SAVEVALUE BlockThe FIX and FLT Mode ConversionThe INITIAL StatementEffect of RESET and CLEAR on SAVEVALUES

John R. Sturgul holds a BS in mining engineering (with honors) from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, USA; an MS in mathematics from the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA; and a Ph.D in mining engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Petrosani, Romania. Recognized as the world’s leading authority on the application of discrete system simulation to mines, Dr. Sturgul is currently a professor of mining engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia. He has been actively engaged in mine simulation and animation for more than 30 years. His work in this field has taken him to more than 60 countries and earned him numerous awards in Chile, Romania, the United States, Spain, Argentina, Peru, South Africa, Greece, and Australia, where he received the Ray Page Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Simulation Society. His model of the Lihir gold mine, located on an island northeast of Papua New Guinea, was the first example of a mine initially designed using a simulation model. He published the first textbook on the subject in 2000, and now this new textbook explains the details of constructing such models.