A Decision Support System Using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and TOPSIS Approaches for Selection of the Optimum Underground Mining Method

Abstract

Selection of an appropriate mining method is a complex task that requires consideration of many technical, economical, political, social, and historical factors. The aim of this paper is developing a hierarchical model to selection the optimum mining method with the use of effective and major criteria and simultaneously, taking subjective judgments of decision makers into consideration. Proposed approach is based on the combination of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method with TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methods. FAHP is used in determining of the weights of the criteria by decision makers and then rankings of the methods are determined by TOPSIS. The proposed method is applied for Jajarm Bauxite Mine in Iran and finally the most appropriate mining methods for this mine are ranked.