ASDI-Lean Mining approach for enhancing decision making: The case of phosphate supply chain

The mining industry presents specific challenges in terms of management and organization. It is characterized by the dynamic and spatially variable nature of resources, challenging operational conditions, market price volatility, and adherence to legislative and environmental regulations. In this complex environment, the crucial need for decision-support systems to enhance the industry's organizational effectiveness and efficiency is evident. This is essential for ensuring its long-term viability in the market and aligning with principles of responsible development. Given the formidable challenges, many manufacturing companies are embracing the Japanese Lean Management approach. However, the extension of Lean Management to the mining sector remains understudied and poses implementation complexities. This article proposes the ASDI (Analysis, Specification, Design, and Implementation) methodological framework as a meta-model for designing research objects that support decision-making in Lean Mining. ASDI-Lean Mining delineates the implementation process of Lean Mining and provides a suite of software components leveraging simulation and optimization approaches. These components assist mine managers in testing diverse organizational scenarios within the Lean Mining approach. The application of this methodology to the real case study of the phosphate extraction industry at OCP Group has yielded tangible results, including the introduction of novel industrial organizational methods based on an ex-ante evaluation of a decision and non-value-added activities reduction. These changes have led to improved performance in terms of both efficiency (enhanced environmental performance and cost reduction) and effectiveness (heightened customer satisfaction).