Abstract
Copper refining via electrolysis is a core metallurgical process that takes place in tankhouses, subject to strict temporal, spatial, and operational constraints. The efficiency and stability of this process depend critically on the coordinated scheduling of crane operations responsible for handling anodes, cathodes, and auxiliary tasks. In industrial practice, crane scheduling must simultaneously satisfy long-term production targets and short-term operational feasibility, while respecting process-dependent timing constraints imposed by electrochemical parameters. Inefficient or inconsistent schedules can lead to process delays, suboptimal resource utilization, and degraded electrolysis performance, ultimately affecting product quality and operational stability. This paper presents a modeling approach for optimizing tankhouse operations. The uniqueness of this case lies in the broad range of constraints, including human capacity, energy restrictions, metallurgical rules, and logistical specifications. The model operates on three levels, starting with generalized schedule optimization and culminating in the detailed optimization of crane movements and cathode stripping machine operations. Although the focus is on the specific use case of tankhouse operations within metallurgical production, the model can be adapted and fine-tuned for a wide range of scheduling applications. Additionally, we discuss the challenges encountered when integrating the model into existing production processes and outline directions for further work.