Selection of the optimum pushbacks in a long-term planning process of the open pit: A condition for maximization the net present value: Case study: The open pit Veliki Krivelj, Serbia

Defining the pushbacks at the open pit is one of the most important planning activities. Designing the pushbacks is the first step in a long-term planning of production at the open pit where the production is planned. Despite the existence of a large number of software, used for different mathematical algorithms for optimization the open pits, a role of mining engineers is still a key one in development the mining plans. The work presents the results of conducted impact analysis of selection the optimum pushbacks on the project economy. Based on the results, the importance of correct selection of pushbacks can be concluded for achieving the basic goal of the mining operation - the Net Present Value Maximization (NPV).