In this paper we show that the problem of optimal mine planning can be cast in the framework of receding horizon control. Traditional formulations of this problem have cast it in the framework of mixed integer linear programming. In this paper, we present an alternative formulation of the mine planning problem using the "language" of control engineering. We show that this alternative formulation gives rise to new insights which have the potential to lead to improved computational procedures. The advantages are illustrated by an example incorporating many practical features of an actual mine planning problem. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.