Interior Point methods applied to mixed integer programming in mining problems.

• Grant number: 24/06387-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): July 17, 2024
• Effective date (End): July 27, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering - Operational Research
• Principal Investigator: Aurelio Ribeiro Leite de Oliveira
• Grantee: Aurelio Ribeiro Leite de Oliveira
• Host Investigator: Amina Lamghari
• Host Institution: Instituto de Matemática, Estatística e Computação Científica (IMECC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Canada

Abstract

The proposal for scientific cooperation arises from the possibility of combining my knowledge of interior point methods, and the knowledge of Prof. Lamghari in solving integer or mixed programming problems in the mining sector.When interior point methods for linear programming appeared, it did not initially change the approach to solving integer programming problems using branch and bound methods. The reason for not using interior point methods seems to be the efficiency of simplex methods in solving the subproblems. One of the few exceptions is the problem of generating columns, but even in this case it did not get much repercussion in the area. Recently, it was shown that interior point methods are better in solving relaxed problems and subproblems than simplex methods in some branch and cut/price applications such as variations of transport problems, cutting and packing problems.After that, the class of problems where the application of interior point methods presents superior results has been increasing with new researches.It appears that there is not yet works that combine interior point methods and branch and cut/price in the mining area. Collaboration with Prof. Lamghari and his group's research with our own group on interior point methods could give raise to important scientific advances.The proposed research can generate results with the potential for publication in high-quality journals in the area of operations research or mathematical programming, in addition to works at conferences. This cooperation may also involve postgraduate students with a possible dissertation and/or thesis focused on this integrated research.