Enhancing rock fragmentation prediction in mining operations: A Hybrid GWO-RF model with SHAP interpretability

In the mining industry, precise forecasting of rock fragmentation is critical for optimising blasting processes. In this study, we address the challenge of enhancing rock fragmentation assessment by developing a novel hybrid predictive model named GWO-RF. This model combines the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm with the Random Forest (RF) technique to predict the D₈₀ value, a critical parameter in evaluating rock fragmentation quality. The study is conducted using a dataset from Sarcheshmeh copper mine, employing six different swarm sizes for the GWO-RF hybrid model construction. The GWO-RF model’s hyperparameters are systematically optimized within established bounds, and its performance is rigorously evaluated using multiple evaluation metrics. The results show that the GWO-RF hybrid model has higher predictive skills, exceeding traditional models in terms of accuracy. Furthermore, the interpretability of the GWO-RF model is enhanced through the utilization of SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. The insights gained from this research contribute to optimizing blasting operations and rock fragmentation outcomes in the mining industry.