Integrating Lean Mining and Decision Support: The ASDI-LM Framework for Enhancing Operational Performance in Mining Supply Chains
Description
Purpose. The mining sector is under growing pressure to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability while navigating complex, interdependent constraints. Lean Mining (LM), an adaptation of Lean Management principles to this context, remains inconsistently implemented and lacks structured, decision-oriented methodologies. Existing work rarely connects LM to decision support systems (DSS) that enable ex-ante scenario evaluation, particularly given the sector’s spatio-temporal variability and decisional reconciliation. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a comprehensive framework to integrate LM in mining supply chains (MSC). Design/methodology/approach. Drawing on a literature review and action research in the phosphate sector, this paper proposes ASDI-LM (Analysis, Specification, Design, Implementation), a meta-methodological framework. ASDI-LM provides a structured implementation framework for LM, software components based on simulation and optimization approaches. These tools allow for reviewing and validating organisational scenarios to support decision-making under LM principles. Findings. The proposed approach was applied to a real-world MSC, demonstrating its ability to reduce waste and improve performance. Results show significant improvements in effectiveness (extracted volume, ore quality, diversity) and efficiency (equipment utilization, and residual stocks), thanks to the integration of dynamic mine planning, the introduction of new organizational methods and the ex-ante analysis of scenarios into a DSS. Originality/value. This paper offers a structured framework for embedding LM in DSS for complex, variable contexts. It goes beyond traditional Lean tools by advancing LM as a holistic, decision-oriented approach, enabling rapid evaluation of trade-offs and guiding operational decisions. The ASDI-LM framework is generic and transferable to other supply chains facing similar challenges.
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Institutions
- Universite Mohammed VI Polytechnique