Journal of Quality Engineering and Production Optimization

Journal of Quality Engineering and Production Optimization

Mining Project Portfolio Selection Based on an Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Entropy-MARCOS Method under Uncertainty

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohammad Javad Barzegari
Seyed Meysam Mousavi
Department of Industrial Engineering, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
10.22070/jqepo.2026.21841.1330
Abstract
Mining project portfolio selection (PPS) is a complex, capital-intensive decision-making challenge, often exacerbated by conflicting criteria and high uncertainty. To address it, this study introduces a new integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework using trapezoidal Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets (TrIT2 FSs) to effectively capture the vagueness inherent in experts judgments. In this approach, we first utilize TrIT2 fuzzy numbers to quantify linguistic evaluations from decision-makers, followed by the entropy method to derive objective criteria weights. The MARCOS method is then employed to rank mining projects by evaluating their utility against ideal and anti-ideal solutions. The framework’s efficacy is demonstrated through a real-world case study of major mining projects in Iran, assessed by a panel of deputy managers. The results identify Golgohar (A5) alternative as the top-performing project, while Zarshuran (A10) ranks lowest. Comparative analysis with TrIT2F-TOPSIS and TrIT2F-COPRAS methods confirms the stability and reliability of the rankings. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses across various strategic scenarios validate the robustness of the proposed model. Ultimately, the TrIT2F-Entropy-MARCOS framework offers a powerful, interpretable decision-support tool for strategic investment in the mining sector.
Keywords
Project portfolio selection (PPS)
Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM)
Group decision-making (GDM)
Interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs)
Entropy weighting
MARCOS method
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Journal of Quality Engineering and Production Optimization
Volume 10, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 97-124