فهرست مطالب mohammad ataei

One of the most critical designs in open-pit mining is the ultimate pit limit (UPL). The UPL is frequently computed initially through profit-maximizing algorithms like the Lerchs-Grossman (LG). Then, in order to optimize net present value (NPV), production planning is executed for the blocks that fall within the designated pit limit. This paper presents a mathematical model of the UPL with NPV maximization, enabling simultaneous determination of the UPL and long-term production planning. Model behavior is nonlinear. Thus, in order to achieve model linearization, the model has been partitioned into two linear sub-problems. The procedure facilitates the model solution and the strategy by decreasing the number of decision variables. Naturally, the model is NP-Hard. As a result, in order to address the issue, the Dynamic Pit Tracker (DPT) heuristic algorithm was devised, accepting economic block models as input. A comparison is made between the economic values and positional weights of blocks throughout the steps in order to identify the most appropriate block. The outcomes of the mathematical model, LG, and Latorre-Golosinski (LAGO) algorithms were assessed in relation to the DPT on a two-dimensional block model. Comparative analysis revealed that the UPLs generated by these algorithms are consistent in this instance. Utilizing the new algorithm to determine UPL for a 3D block model revealed that the final pit profit matched LG UPL by 97.95%.

In the realm of deep coal mining, a notable difficulty faced is the occurrence of methane gas and abrupt emissions of coal gas. This study scrutinizes coal gas outbursts via laboratory investigations. The study investigates the dynamics of coal gas outbursts, focusing on the analysis and mitigation of abrupt coal gas releases via laboratory experiments. Results suggest that the prevention of coal gas outbursts in the test sample is achievable by a 20% pressure reduction using degassing techniques.Drawing from engineering observations during the mining process, this study investigates the mechanism of coal gas outbursts using a specifically constructed test device. This study reveals that a gas outburst occurs when the boundaries of coal seams become unstable due to coal failure. In cases where fractures are not connected or are closed due to coal/rock stress, the fractured zones can maintain a certain level of carrying capacity due to self-sealing gas pressure. However, once the accumulated gas energy reaches a critical point, the coal seams become unstable, leading to gas outbursts. This study presents a laboratory analysis of coal gas outbursts, methane drainage, and methods for managing these events. Findings indicate that the outburst of coal gas can be effectively managed by lowering the tank pressure through gas drainage techniques.

Investigating forest structure is an important and necessary topic, especially in line with the goals of close-to-nature silviculture. This research aimed to quantitatively analyze the complexity of stand structure during the transformational phase of understory formation in the oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests of Kheyrud, Nowshahr. After field inspections, three one-hectare sample plots in the transformational phase of understory formation were selected, and a full inventory of all stand parameters, including tree diameter at breast height, natural regeneration, size and distribution of gaps, and deadwood, was carried out. To analyze the structural complexity in forest stands, the structure complexity indices, Cox coefficient, coefficient of variation, and Gini coefficient of tree diameter were used. According to the research results, in this evolutionary phase, the highest frequency is in small diameter classes, while the lowest frequency is in large trees. The distribution curve of trees forms a decreasing exponential with a steep slope in small diameter classes. The average deadwood volume was 30 m³, and the average gap factor of crown coverage was 6.4%. Additionally, the mean Gini coefficient and diameter change coefficient were 0.7 and 6, respectively. These values, along with the Cox coefficient, indicate optimal complexity in the stand structure during this phase. In the understory, the average abundance was 306 stems per hectare, with beech being the most abundant species. Based on these results, to maintain heterogeneity in the managed forests while preserving large trees in the stand, it is suggested to implement operations to increase the complexity of the forest stand structure and perform thinning from below.

The governance system has both the ability to grow and develop, and it can cause malfunctions, delays and disruptions in the development process. This means that the challenges of governance are capable of diverting each of the four sectors of the country's policymaking and putting the lofty goals out of reach. Policy-making is the basic function of the government and the process of intervention in order to achieve results and realize its political vision. Studying in the policy space seeks to describe and explain the policies of governments and how to influence and create changes in the way of governance and of course the body of the government. Therefore, it is necessary to explain or investigate what and why these challenges are in the policy environment. The purpose of this article, in a scientific review study, is to give a glimpse of the issues raised from the perspective of thinkers and experts of governance think tanks, as well as examine new challenges and provide solutions to change the governance of the headquarters or centralized to governance. It is provincial and decentralized. Also, this study aims to take a brief look at the state of excellence and empowerment of local governance in the northwestern provinces of the country (East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Qazvin, Zanjan and Ardabil).

The mining industry operates in a complex and dynamic environment and faces many challenges that can negatively affect sustainable development goals. To avoid these effects, mining needs to adopt strategic decisions. Therefore, it requires effective decision-making processes for resource optimization, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Multicriteria decision-making methods (MCDM) have been considered valuable decision-support tools in the mining industry. This article comprehensively examines MCDM methods and their applications in the mining industry. This article discusses the basic principles and concepts of MCDM methods, including the ability to prioritize and weigh conflicting, multiple criteria and support decision-makers in evaluating diverse options. According to the results, 1579 MCDM articles in mining have been published from the beginning to April 15, 2023, and a scientometric analysis was done on these articles. In another part of this article, 19 MCDM methods, among the most important MCDM methods in this field, have been examined. The process of doing work in 17 cases of the reviewed methods is presented visually. Overall, this paper is a valuable resource for researchers, mining industry professionals, policymakers, and decision-makers that can lead to a deeper understanding of the application of MCDM methods in mining. By facilitating informed decision-making processes, MCDM methods can potentially increase operational efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainable development in various mining sectors, ultimately contributing to mining projects' long-term success and sustainability.

Due to longwall mining, a large space without any support is created, and the in-situ stress regimes change. The change of the in-situ stress regimes affects the roof and face of the adjacent panel. In other words, the strata behavior would be different from the intact condition during the previous panel mining. In this study, two adjacent panels are simulated in the FLAC3D software to study the effect of panel extraction on its adjacent panel strata behavior during longwall mining. The available data of the Tabas Parvadeh Coal Mine panels is used for this purpose. According to the numerical modeling results, the length of the first roof’s weighting effect (FRWE) in the gob of the first and second panels is calculated, respectively, as 26 and 21 meters. In other words, the gob dimension in the second panel is reduced by about 19.2%, and the vertical displacement value is increased by about 18.5%. In addition, the chance of roof collapse and face spalling during the first-panel mining is more than the second-panel. It means that roof and face instability in the (FRWE) during the first-panel mining is confirmed, while in the second-panel extraction is just very likely.

The stability of waste dumps is a significant and at times critical issue in the development of surface mines. Due to insufficient space for waste disposal, environmental concerns, and various other factors, Mine No. 4 at Golgohar Sirjan is not capable of establishing a new waste dump. Given the existing limitations of the mine, the investigation has focused on increasing the dump capacity through the implementation of benches. In this research work, the stability of the waste dump has been investigated using the limit equilibrium method with the Slide3D software, along with a Monte Carlo simulation approach for probabilistic analysis. The results obtained from these methods have been compared with each other. The acceptable safety factor considered for this assessment ranges from 1.15 to 1.2. By adding benches to the eastern waste dump of the mine, a displaced volume equivalent to 36,715.565 cubic meters has been added to the capacity. The constructed model is based on the topography of the area, with dimensions of 1850 meters in length, 1750 meters in width, and 160 meters in height. The results indicate that the safety factor of the waste dump has been calculated as follows using the Spencer, Janbu, and Bishop methods respectively: 1.26, 1.199, and 1.226. Mine No. 4 needs to extract 983.58 million tons of waste to produce 73 million tons of iron ore. In total, by discharging 428 million tons of waste in the northeastern and eastern dumps and adding a bench, a volume of 555.571 million tons of waste is available for disposing of the remaining waste. Considering the remaining waste volume, space must be allocated for waste disposal to Mine No. 4.

Nowadays, using telecommunication systems and advanced measuring devices underlies cyberattacks on electrical grids. Bad data injection and failure to detect it on time, cause drastic damage to the network. This paper presents a new method for bad data detection (BDD) in state estimating when a cyber attacker manipulates the important measurements. Therefore, the new attack index is defined by simultaneously manipulating the network parameters and injecting incorrect data into the measured values. For this purpose, considering the masking and swamping effect, the diagnostic robust generalized potential (DRGP) algorithm detected and isolated high-leverage measurements installed in important locations from low-leverage measurements. Then, the state estimation process performs using low-leverage measurements. The Generalized Studentized Residual (GSR) algorithm detects bad data. With simultaneous manipulation of network parameters and measurement values, conventional BDD methods are unable to detect an attack. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, they were implemented on the IEEE standard 14-bus network using MATLAB and Rstudio software. The simulation results show the ability of the proposed algorithm to detect a bad data attack.

Mining design is a key part of the mining life cycle and the integration of sustainable development (SD) considerations makes the project a profitable activity with the least adverse social and environmental impacts. Applying sustainability considerations in the very late stages of project development and focusing on impact mitigation and control measures has been one of the most important reasons for not integrating the principles of SD in the feasibility and design stages of projects. In this study, the attributes of the three principles of SD discussed in various studies were collected and a logical approach was adopted to identify the social and environmental attributes effective in the design, optimization, and selection of the ultimate pit limit (UPL). Then, political-security problems, creation of employment, pollution of underground/surface waters, acidic depositions, materials existed in the tailings dam, soil physical specifications, the recycle/removal of waste, restore habitat post-mining, tailing dams and waste dumps and respect of sensitive areas was selected for quantification and integration in the sustainable design of the Songun copper mine as a case study.

One of the criterions for evaluating the cutting of building stone using the diamond wire cutting system is the energy consumption of the cutting wire machine. In this study, in order to evaluate the amount of energy consumed in the cutting process, a laboratory diamond cutting wire system was designed and built with the ability to change and stabilize the operational and tooling parameters of cutting, including linear velocity, backward pulling speed and angle of impact of diamond wire. In order to determine the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of the stone with the energy consumption of the cutting machine, 6 different samples of travertine were prepared from the mines of East and West Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Yazd and Markazi provinces and The values of physical and mechanical properties including density, porosity, water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength and the speed of ultrasonic waves passed through them were measured in the laboratory. Then, by cutting cubic blocks of the samples with the laboratory diamond cutting wire system, the energy consumption of the device in different situations of the angle of the wire with the sample was recorded. Using regression and univariate fitting, the relationship between each of the rock properties and the specific cutting energy with respect to linear, logarithmic, power and exponential functions was investigated. The results showed that the best value for the angle at which the wire hits the specimen, at which the lowest specific energy consumption is recorded, was 15 degrees.

To increase production in coal mining panels along with the use of other equipment, the use of coal machines (shearers) is very beneficial. Predicting the shearer rate and determining the effective parameters in it plays an essential role in estimating costs. Full knowledge of the Strength and properties of coal gas and evaluation of the performance of shearer loader devices causes an increase in the speed of the loader and coal-rock production. Therefore, to achieve high production efficiency in the extraction of coal seams, it is necessary to predict the shearer rate and determine the effective parameters in it. In this paper, the shear rate prediction in relation to the Strength and gas bitumen properties of coal is investigated with the help of statistical analysis.For this purpose, 1260 types of coal cutting were done by coal machine (shearer) in E3 Tabas extraction panel No. 1 of Parvadeh coal mine. In the first stage, after harvesting and recording the shearer rate of each cut, information about degassing was done at three points along the entire length of the panel. These three points include the percentage of methane gases emitted in sensor number 88 and the input sensor (TG) and the sensor installed on the armored face conveyor (AFC). Then, using the strength properties such as coal hardness and methane degassing system, the shearer rate prediction was investigated. Using statistical studies, Shearer rate prediction was performed with three models of linear and nonlinear multivariate regression (exponential and logarithmic). To develop the predicted models, 70% of the data (882 data) were used as educational data and 30% of the data (378 data) as test data. Among the three regression models performed, the results show that the linear multivariate regression model has a more accurate prediction than the other two methods. Therefore, using the linear multivariate regression model, the amount of shearer rate in the coal mine number one of parvadeh Tabas can be predicted with good accuracy.

In today's world, relying on traditional knowledge is not possible to manage modern and new organizations and requires continuous training to strengthen and transfer knowledge in the organization. The purpose of this study is to provide strengthening solutions for the teaching organization model in universities. That is why it has tried to strengthen the model of the teaching university by using the views of the Teaching Organization. The teaching organization is a reinforced model of the learning organization. Therefore, in this study, a semi -structural interview was conducted using library studies on the various models of the reminder and learning organization with 19 academic experts selected by targeted judicial sampling. Among the participants in the interview are about 37 percent females and 63 percent males.  According to interviews conducted in the reminder organization, 836 significant propositions and five categories: a teaching perspective, ideas, values, decision -making and emotional energy were extracted, the results of the analysis of the interviews indicate the positive effects of the reminder components in universities and the greatest positive impact. The respectively of values, emotional energy, a teaching perspective, ideas, and decision -making in decision -making, the greatest influence on values and the least impact on the component of decision –making.

Extraction and exploitation is one of the important parts in the field of mines and mining industries. Blast hole drilling is the first stage of the production cycle in open pit mines. Which account for a large part of the exploitation costs. In operational processes, bits are one of the most sensitive and important parts of drilling, due to the type of application and high costs. Wear of these tools are an important parameter for estimating the efficiency of drilling equipment in mining projects. Wear of drilling bits is a function of various factors, some of which are related to machinery, operational parameters and management parameters, and some are dependent on the conditions and rock properties and rock mass and the surrounding environment. Examining the parameters affecting the tricone rotary bits wear can prevent wasting time and additional costs of the drilling process. Therefore, in this study, the evaluation of the factors affecting the tricone rotary bits wear in Sarcheshmeh copper mine has been investigated. For this purpose, the tricone rotary bits wear has been calculated through weight loss and by determining the effective parameters, the relationship between these factors and the tricone rotary bits wear has been determined through statistical methods. Then, using sensitivity analysis, the effect of input parameters on the target is determined. The results of these analyzes show that all the parameters of the study except the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), porosity and Equivalent Quartz Content on the desired output (the tricone rotary bits wear).

The Remaining Useful Life (RUL) valuation of mining machinery is a principal to ensure the production/output and customer satisfaction in the mining zone. In many cases, it may be of attention to know the expected value of the remaining life of the item before it fails from an arbitrary time that known RUL. The system's failure is also evaluated with the reliability index, which describes up-times. An individual unit's reliability during field use is essential in many mining equipment applications. This index, especially in industrial systems, and being affected by the internal condition also affects operating environmental conditions. For example, the loader performance in cold weather will be different from that of warm, which will affect the machine's reliability and thus the RUL. In reliability engineering, operating environmental conditions are considered "Risk factors or Covariates". Therefore, in this paper, an approach is proposed first to analyze the system's reliability considering covariates' effect and then estimate the RUL for different scenarios. The proportional hazard model was used in reliability analysis to be realistic and take the operational influencing factors in calculation. Methods are presented for calculating the reliability function and computing the RUL as a function of the current conditions to guarantee the desired output. The remaining useful life estimation of a Komatsu PC-1250 from the Sungun copper mine was evaluated as a case study of this approach. Systems operating environmental factors such as shift, dump-truck kind, rock kind, … (known as covariates) are assumed to influence covariate in this context. As a result, the Weibull proportional hazard model was fitted to describe the failure behavior, and the RUL of four selected scenarios was evaluated. Presented results can be used, e.g., for developing operational performance, planning of maintenance activities, spare parts provision, and the profitability of the owner of an asset.

The present study aimed at presenting the elements and characteristics of human resources’ supply and recruitment at fourth generation universities, through a mixed method and the meta-synthesis approach. The qualitative part included all related scientific works (212 retrieved works). Adopting Sandelowski and Barroso’s (2007) method, the initial screening availed 52 works, and after the second screening based on CASP, 39 documents were finally entered into meta-synthesis coding. The conceptual modeling and opinion polling stages included 12 experts and managers in the field of human resource management. Main categories’ reliability was 0.64 based on Kappa formula. The relative content validity coefficients for the categories of recruitment based on value creation for internal capacities, value increase for external talents, and cyberspace of recruitment were 1, 1, and 0.66, respectively; all greater than the minimum value (0.79). In the quantitative process that was based on descriptive and documentary methods, the analytical model of the study was proposed using the opinions of experts and evaluation of CVI-CVR. The findings confirmed the study model with 3 sub-categories, 9 concepts, and 76 codes. Finally, we maintain that the recruitment function at fourth generation universities of Iran, in accordance with the indicators of the proposed model, should be one of the priorities of the application of recruitment in the human resource management process at claimed fourth generation universities our country.

The competence of managers, especially at senior levels, is the basis for the success of companies and the development of the country. Corporate governance as a set of principles, requirements and processes for monitoring and governing the company has been notified to the governmental companies by the relevant authorities and its executors are senior managers (members of the board of directors); Therefore, designing the competency model of senior managers according to their role in the optimal implementation of corporate governance is the goal of this research.

This research is developmental in terms of purpose and mixed (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data type and method of analysis. In the qualitative section, by studying the background and theoretical foundations, the dimensions of competence and the components of corporate governance were identified. Eleven members of the board of directors of governmental companies in various fields of production, services and investment, and selected academic experts were interviewed, and by content analysis method, the themes were identified at three levels: basic, organizer, and comprehensive. In the quantitative part, structural-interpretive modeling, leveling and determining the relationships of the components and dimensions of the model were performed.

The findings of the qualitative section were obtained by combining theoretical studies and content analysis of interviews, 55 basic themes (index), eleven organizer themes (component) and three comprehensive themes (dimension). The dimensions of the model include knowledge, skills and character. 

Based on the results of quantitative analysis of the research, the main components of the competency model are classified into four levels. Dimensions of character (including moral virtues, personal characteristics and values) are the most effective role models and guider of other components. All the main components have two-way influence on each other. The output of the study led to the design of a competency model for senior managers of governmental companies with a corporate governance approach.

Designing the 3D model of social responsibility for public organizations (Iranian-Islamic approach)The aim of this research designing 3D model of social responsibility for public organizations in Iran. This study, based on the perpouse is development-applied and based on methodology is mixed method. To identify the elements of social responsibility we using qualitative methods such as Delphi and get key-informant opinions were refined. In the next step, we used the fuzzy inference system to provide the final 3D model. For analysis, we use SPSS and Matlab softwares.In the first step, for social responsibility seven elements approved, then according to opinions’s connoisseurs and Delphi method for each element determine components. In the second section, results shows the ethical approach and organization strategy have a positive impact on all of the social responsibility elements.Keywords: Social responsibility, Islamic approach, Strategy, Public organizations, fuzzy method.Keywords: Social responsibility, Islamic approach, Strategy, Public organizations, fuzzy method.

After the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, a style of management was established based on the Islamic value system. And caused the practical methods of managers to be valued and the understanding of the necessities and needs of society combined with the spiritual, religious spirit and revolutionary consciousness to be considered and practiced by managers. In this regard, the management of the balance of the revolution can be considered based on the values and views of the Supreme Leader, which arises from the revolutionary culture and indicates management based on Islamic values. The thought and menus of the Supreme Leader with innovative approaches and explanation of Islamic-revolutionary values have given a special freshness and dynamism to this way. The purpose of this study is to explain the dimensions of revolutionary behavior of managers and its adaptation to management literature. What plays a key role in the well-being of a society is the competence and comprehensiveness of the managers and agents of that society. In organizations, the success of the organization in achieving organizational goals and missions depends on skilled and competent managers. Therefore, the selection of the right brokers and managers deserves a lot of attention and review, and criteria should be considered for measuring people and selecting them. Certainly, the criteria of measurement in any society should be defined in accordance with the values and worldview of that society. The material worldview is unique to the material world, but in the Islamic worldview, both this world and the hereafter are considered. In the Islamic worldview, the goal is not just to produce more, but the ultimate goal of human transcendence and reaching the position of God's caliph on earth. This difference in worldview is the difference between Islamic management and Western management, each of which has its own criteria

Communication is one of the most important tools of civilized society and it can be said that communication is the most important factor of human development and excellence. As communication is vital for civilized human beings, it is vital for organizational operations, the formation and survival of the organization. One of the challenges facing communication is not addressing the role of ethics in this issue. Ethics in organizational communication is not only related to the individual, but also is highly regarded by organizations, companies and professional institutions. This study with a review approach examines the studies and research of the past twenty years and tries to extract Effective solutions and finding a study vacuum. Given the above and the studies and research done on organizational communication, it seems that ethics is considered as principles, values, ethics and beliefs that have a significant role in enriching the overall life of individuals in research is low. It shows that members of organizations are usually well aware that they must apply ethics in organizational communication to promote well-being and goodwill. When people apply these in organizations, they can not only create friendly and intimate relationships with other members, but also achieve organizational goals (organizational performance and job satisfaction) and improve the overall structure of the organization. Give

Investigation of first weighting process due to greater caving span and higher induced stresses when compared to the periodic ones is imperative in the planning stage of a longwall coal mining project. Hence, a reliable prediction of caving span and abutment pressure during this process has major role in stability analysis of operation. This paper presents the results of numerical simulation intended to examine stress distribution in terms of peak abutment pressures during first weighting process in longwall mining. Longwall mining was simulated by incorporating Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) to investigate the effects of five critical parameters included roof strata uniaxial compressive strength, immediate roof height, spacing of bedding planes and mining depth and in-situ stresses ratio on vertical and horizontal peak abutment pressures. The results showed that relationships between all critical parameters with the exception of in-situ stresses ratio and front and rear abutment pressures in vertical and horizontal directions are the same. In addition, it was concluded that all parameters have a direct relationship with the rear and front abutment pressures whereas this relationship is indirect for the immediate roof height and the extraction height.

Besides stone perishing, generated vibrations during stone cutting process can lead to bending, deflection and finally breakage of cutter disks. Therefore, study and predicting vibrations, is unavoidable in stone cutting process. In this research, by means of laboratory and statistically analysis, a study is carried out to predicting vibration of stone cutting process. For this purpose, a stone cutting machine in laboratory scale which equipped with vibration measurement tools, was provided. On a carbonate rock specimen, the study is carried out under different circumstance such as different practical cut depth (15, 22, 30, 35 mm), different cut advance rate (100, 200, 300, 350, 400 cm/min), different cutter disk rotation speed (1540, 1770, 2550 rpm). Results indicate that increasing in cut depth and cut advance rate, lead to increase in vibration intensity. Vibration intensity quantity even increased 6 times, when cut advance rate varies from 100 to 400 cm/min. Using SPSS software, after laboratory result investigation and statistically data analysis, vibration signal predicting statistical models are presented. Results of statistical tests indicates that the best fitting models enable predicting vibration quantity accurately and precisely with correlation coefficient range of 0.92 - 0.87, confidence level of 90% and error less than 10%.

In recent years, using of the resilience concept has been increased in order to evaluate the response of systems against the failures. Resilience depicts the system ability to return to its normal operational status after failure accruing. According to the literature survey, there are various studies, which have been done in the field of engineering and non-engineering systems, and there is no study about applying resilience concept in the field of mining industry. In this paper, at first, resilience concept has been introduced and then the resilience of the mining fleet of Sungun copper mine has been estimated. Systems performance indicators include reliability; maintainability and supportability have been used in order to resilience estimation. The results showed that the resilience of the entire system for one hour of its function is equal to 83.1% and this value decreases to 37.1% after 10 hours. This means if there is a failure in the system; it will have 83.1% and 37.1% probabilities to be resilience against the failure event after 1 hour and 10 hours of system function.

Effective and efficient human resource management is critical to the success of any organization. Meanwhile, improving employee performance is one of the main concerns of organizations in the public sector.

The aim of this study is to design a high commitment human resource management (HC-HRM) model among the employees of the 14 regions of Education Department in Qazvin Province. The statistical sample consisted of 260 employees who were selected according to the Morgan table. The present study was of a survey type. Data analysis was performed by applying structural equation modeling and Smart PLS2 software. 

Research results show that perceived high commitment human resource management directly and positively affects individual performance. In addition, research findings indicate that the variables of work engagement, professional commitment, and perceived organizational support play a role in the relationship between high commitment human resource management and individual performance as mediators. 

No doubt, the findings of this study enhance the knowledge of high commitment human resource management; besides, by modeling perceived high commitment human resource management at individual level, it helps create a new knowledge domain in the related literature.

A novel index is presented in this paper to evaluate sustainable development in underground coal mining. Eleven parameters were chosen as impacting factors that define three aspects of sustainable development, including environmental, economic, and social. Fuzzy Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process (FDAHP) was used to develop a new rating system in the form of a classification system. Subsequently, a sustainable development index (SDi) was defined as a simple summation of ratings for all parameters to classify the sustainability level of underground coal mining qualitatively. Applicability of the new index was examined through applying it to a case study, and the results were compared with a benchmark model. The results indicate that SDi possesses a higher performance in sustainable development evaluation in the actual case when compared to common models. This performance is because it is developed for underground coal mining, especially in a scientific manner that considers three aspects of sustainable development together.

Summary This paper presents statistical and intelligent models to predict stability of different surfaces in underground open stope mining method on the basis of the stability graph method. For this purpose, logistic regression and support vector machine were used to predict the stability state of walls and back, separately. Introduction The open stope mining method can be considered as the most common method for underground mining of hard rock metal mines around the world. The most common method for the design and evaluation of stopes in the mining technique is the stability graph method which was introduced by Mathews et al. in 1981. The stability graph method is based on data collected from different mines including hydraulic radius, stability number (tunneling modified quality index, rock stress factor, joint adjustment factor, and gravity factor), and related stability conditions. The empirical nature of this method, which results in uncertainties in the values of the parameters, and the existence of different types of charts with different stability regions, interpreting the results becomes a challenge. This increases the risk of error in interpreting the results. In addition to these problems, considering the same conditions for all surfaces, such as walls and back, causes obvious errors in the results of this method. In this regard, this paper incorporated statistical and intelligent methods to predict stability state for a database of open stopes by means of stability graph parameters. The novelty of this paper in addition to the used methods is developing models for evaluation of walls and back separately.   Methodology and Approaches New models to predict the stability state of walls and surface of underground open stopes were developed by using statistical and intelligent techniques. For this purpose, logistic regression (LR), as the most common statistical method for classification, was used. Besides, support vector machine (SVM), which is based on the machine learning theory, was applied as a powerful intelligent technique for classification problems.   Results and Conclusions Results of developed models were compared to those of the stability graph method. The following main conclusions were derived from this study: The accuracy of back stability prediction by using the stability graph method, LR and SVM were 29%, 86%, and 95%, respectively. The accuracy of wall stability prediction by using the stability graph method, LR and SVM were 71%, 81%, and 90%, respectively. In comparison with the stability graph method, LR models of back and walls increase the accuracy of predictions by 57% and 10%, respectively. In comparison with the stability graph method, SCM models of back and walls increase the accuracy of predictions by 66% and 19%, respectively. It was concluded that SVM models possess higher performance in the prediction of stable states when compared to the LR models.