Development of a hybrid Fuzzy -TOPSIS MCDA framework for Debswana Jwaneng mine contract mining decision modelling

Abstract

Contract mining has been rapidly growing worldwide, in scale, scope and magnitude. The nature and scope of mining outsourcing decision problems have also changed with time leading to the development of different decision analysis methods. Hence, the development of a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) framework which uses empirical evidence for decision making was crucial. This study sought to determine the factors that affect the decision to outsource some mining projects and operations, the possible variations of contract mining alternatives and the methods that could be used in decision analysis. A hybrid MCDM method utilising the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique, and the fuzzy logic was developed and incorporated into a framework for solving decision problems with multiple and conflicting criteria.The decision framework was demonstrated and validated using data from Modular Dispatch system, Oracle system and questionnaire responses from Debswana Jwaneng Mine. The comparative analysis of the Hybrid Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (HFTOPSIS) method with TOPSIS, Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and Balance Score Card, has proven the HFTOPSIS method to be highly effective in ranking alternatives based on multiple criteria. It is recommended that Debswana Jwaneng Mine adopts the HFTOPSIS method in their decision analysis process, that further studies using data sets from other mines be used to test the efficacy of the method and that the model be tested on the decision problems of other industries.