A new algorithm has been investigated for three-dimensional open pit
designs to improve the dynamic cone approach which utilises the
dynamic programming technique. The conventional dynamic cone
method was improved by introducing examination processes: 1. whether any negative blocks are included in a unit cone or not; and
2. whether it is possible or not to leave the negative blocks unmined in
the unit cone without disturbing the geometric condition imposed
on the slope angle of the cone. The newly developed algorithm was applied to a large-scale open pit
copper mine in a planning stage and the results have been compared with
those obtained by the conventional methods.