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By A. M. Hefny, F. P. Siew, P. G. Ranjith

Fracture initiation and propagation, being one of the most intensive subjects in rock mechanics; contribute significantly to the deformation of jointed rock masses. An experimental study on fractured granitic rock was carried out to determine the peak strength of specimen under triaxial loading conditions. The commonly observed failure mode for rock specimens in this study was found to be the shearing of the plane of weakness. The minimum peak strength of fractured rock is observed when the joint orientation is approximately 70° to the horizontal axis. Based on experimental test data, an empirical expression was developed to accommodate the effect of joint orientation and joint trace length in estimating the peak strength of fractured rocks. The predicted values of peak strength using the proposed equation well agree with the experimental results carried out on singly fractured specimens under triaxial loading conditions. The threshold stress values of crack initiation and propagation depend on joint geometrical parameters, their degree of interconnectivity, as well as surrounding stresses on the fracture plane.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. Boldini, R. Lackner, H. A. Mang

ABSTRACT: In this paper, the strong interaction between the hardening shotcrete lining and the surrounding ground in NATM tunneling is investigated by means of axisymmetric analyses, accounting for the three-dimensional nature of the excavation process. The effect of the hydration of shotcrete on strength, stiffness, chemical shrinkage as well as microcracking and creep are accounted for. For the description of the mechanical behavior of the ground, a multi-surface plasticity model is employed. The performed analyses of the excavation process provide insight into the influence of each phenomenon accounted for in the material model for shotcrete on the response of the ground-shotcrete compound structure. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: In diesem Beitrag soll die Interaktion zwischen dem erhärtenden Spritzbeton und dem Boden auf der Basis axisymmetrischer Berechnungen untersucht werden. Derartige Berechnungen ermöglichen die Berücksichtigung des drei-dimensionalen Charakters des Vortriebprozesses. Die Auswirkung der Hydratation auf die Entwicklung der Festigkeit, Steifigkeit und der chemischen Schwindverzerrungen, sowie das Reißen und das Kriechen des Spritzbetons wurde berücksichtigt. Das mechanische Verhalten des Bodens wurde mittels eines Mehrflächenplastizitätsmodells simuliert. Die durchgeführten Berechnungen des Vortriebprozesses geben Einblicke in die Auswirkungen der Spritzbetoneigenschaften auf das Tragverhalten des Boden-Spritzbeton-Komposits. RÉSUMÉ: La stricte interaction entre le soutènement en béton projeté durcissant et le terrain dans un tunnel creusé avec la NATM est étudiée par des analyses axisymétriques, compte tenu de la nature tridimensionnelle des processus de creusement. Les effets de l’hydratation du béton sur la résistance, la rigidité et la contraction chimique, ainsi que sur la micro-fissuration et le fluage, sont mis en compte. Pour la description du comportement mécanique du terrain on emploie un modèle de plasticité multi-surface. Les analyses conduites mettent en évidence l’influence de chaque phénomène considéré dans le modèle constitutif du béton projeté sur la réponse de la structure composite terrain-béton projeté.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. Pardo-Igúzquiza, R. A. Olea

The bootstrap is a computer-intensive resampling method for estimating the uncertainty of complex statistical models. We expand on an application of the bootstrap for inferring semivariogram parameters and their uncertainty. The model fitted to the median of the bootstrap distribution of the experimental semivariogram is proposed as an estimator of the semivariogram. The proposed application is not restricted to normal data and the estimator is resistant to outliers. Improvements are more significant for data-sets with less than 100 observations, which are those for which semivariogram model inference is the most difficult. The application is illustrated by using it to characterize a synthetic random field for which the true semivariogram type and parameters are known.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. Basçetin

Equipment selection in mining engineering is one of the most important decisions that affects the mine design, production planning and economic parameters in open pit and underground mining. Mine planning engineers generally use their intuition and experiences in decision making. Mostly, linguistic variables (the weather is raining, soil is wet, etc.) come into question and decision-makers may not know how these variables are computed. Since the advent of the fuzzy set theory, these uncertainties are easily interpreted in the decision-making process. The development of computer technology and programming of colloquial language with expert systems have considerably reduced decision-makers? burden. This paper reviews the development of a computer programme software called EQS (EQuipment Selection) that automates equipment selection in mining engineering using fuzzy set theory. The EQS with an introduction of the concepts and theories of multiple attribute decision-making, the fuzzy set theory, and EQS applications to mining industry problems with case studies are presented

Jan 1, 2006

By R. G. Cawthorn

The earliest authenticated scientific report of the occurrence of platinum in rocks from the Bushveld Complex appears to be by William Bettel on 10th November 1906. Thereafter, prospecting of the chromite-rich rocks for platinum proved frustrating. I suggest that the resurgence of interest shown by Dr Hans Merensky in 1924 resulted from his realization that newly-panned platinum had a different grain size from that in the chromite layers and indicated a different source rock, which he located and it became known as the Merensky Reef.

Jan 1, 2006

A new method, localized uniform conditioning (LUC), was proposed in 2006 for modelling grades of small blocks of ore when data spacing is too broad for their accurate modelling by the linear regression based techniques, such as kriging (Abzalov, 2006). It represents a modified uniform conditioning (UC) technique that calculates the grade distribution functions for the large panels. LUC uses partitioning of the panels onto the small blocks and then ranks them in increasing order of grade. Based on the block ranks, a single grade value can be deduced for each block from the UC model of the gradetonnage relationships of the corresponding panel. After being first presented in 2006, the LUC method has been implemented in ISATIS© (commercial software) and became one of the common approaches for grade estimation when data spacing is broad in comparison with the estimated block size. Several years of study on the LUC method and its application to different geological environments, have allowed identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the method, which are as follows: ? The method produces accurate grade-tonnage functions, which are in a good accordance with a volume-variance relationship principles ? An initial ranking of the selective mining unit (SMU) blocks can be made by direct kriging from the sparse data grid. Therefore, the LUC method can be particularly useful at the early stages of exploration and mining project evaluations when sparsely distributed data is often the only available information ? Accuracy of the local estimation depends on the SMU ranking techniques. When ranking performed by direct kriging of the SMU blocks their spatial distribution is approximate. When the variogram of the studied variable is characterized by a large nugget effect, the block ranks produced by kriging can significantly differ from their ?true? distribution ? Block ranking can be improved using auxiliary data, either geophysical or geochemical. This allows use of the LUC method for integrating different data sets. In particular, LUC can be used for grade control in open pits by integrating resource definition data (e.g. drill-hole assays) and blast-hole assays. The latter are used for the block ranking.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. P. Harrison

ABSTRACT: The significant effect of fracture surface morphology on the mechanical behaviour of rock masses is well known and has been studied by many people. For linear profiles taken from fracture surfaces, short- and long-period variation has traditionally been described using the descriptors ‘roughness’ and ‘waviness’, with Fourier series analysis being perhaps the most commonly used technique to distinguish between the two attributes. However, the mathematical procedure is involved and the assumptions that have to be made may not be appropriate for rock fracture surfaces. In this paper, an alternative method is presented that enables us to distinguish between roughness and waviness of a linear profile by performing only one straightforward analysis. In our technique, surface morphology is studied in terms of the distribution of unit normal vectors to the profile. The statistical analysis of the distribution is performed using Riemannian, rather than the customary Euclidean, geometry, and from this the 1D Riemannian dispersion parameter (DR1) is obtained, which quantifies the geometry of the profile. The method is applied at different scales to both synthetic sinusoidal profiles and real rock profiles. The results show how periodic behaviour of the profile is revealed at scales where DR1 is substantially equal to zero. RESUME: L’influence significative de la morphologie des épontes sur le comportement mécanique des massifs rocheux est bien connue et a fait l’objet de nombreuses études. Pour les profils lineraires, les variations de courtes et longues périodes sont traditionnellement décrites par les indicateurs “rugosité” et “ondulation” qui sont le plus couramment distingués à l’aide d’une analyse en series de Fourrier. Cependant, la méthode de calcul utilisée et les hypothèses faites ne sont pas appropriées dans le cas des épontes rocheuses. Cet article présente une méthode alternative qui permet de distinguer la rugosité de l’ondulation d’un profil en réalisant une seule analyse directe. Avec notre technique, la morphologie de l’éponte est étudiée comme une distribution spatiale de vecteurs normaux au profil. L’analyse de cette distribution est réalisée à l’aide de la géométrie Riemannienne plutôt que la géométrie classique Euclidienne et permet d’identifier la dispersion Riemanienne en 1D (DR1) qui quantifie la géométrie du profil. Cette méthode est appliquée à différentes échelles sur des profils artificiels sinusoïdaux et des épontes naturelles. Les résultats montrent que le comportement périodique du profil est révélé à des échelles où DR1 est essentiellement égal à zéro. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Der signifikante Effekt von Bruchoberflaechen Morphologien auf das mechanische Verhalten von Gesteinsmassen ist gut bekannt und von vielen Bearbeitern untersucht worden. Traditionel lineare Profile von Bruchflaechen sind mit kurz und lang periodischen Variationen, die auch als “Rauhigkeit” und “Welligkeit” bezeichnet worden sind, beschrieben worden. Hierbei ist wohl die Fourier Serien Analyse das wichtigste Hilfsmittel zur Unterscheidung der beiden Attribute gewesen. Hierfuer wird jedoch ein mathematisches Prozedere verlangt und Vorraussetzungen gemacht, die vielleicht nicht fuer Gesteinsbruchflaechen zutreffend sind. In dieser Publikation wird eine andere Methode vorgestellt, die uns mit Hilfe nur einer einfachen Analyse erlaubt zwischen “Rauigkeit” und “Welligkeit” bei einem linearen Profil zu unterscheiden. In unserer Methode wird die Gesteinsoberflaeche unter zu Hilfenahme der Verteilung von Einheitsnormalvektoren beschrieben. Die statistische Analyse der raeumlichenVerteilung dieser Vektoren wird mit Hilfe der Riemannschen, anstatt der ueblicherweise benutzten Euklidischen, Geometrie durchgefuehrt. Von ihr wird der Riemannsche Dispersions Parameter (DR1) abgeleitet, der die Geometrie des Profils quantifiziert. Diese Methode ist bei verschiedenen Masstaeben sowohl auf rein harmonische (sinusoidale), syntetische Profile als auch auf Gesteinsprofile angewendet worden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass bei Masstaeben bei denen DR1 nahe Null ist periodische Characteristika der Profile hervortreten.

Jan 1, 2003

By H. Yilmaz

A testing method for assessing the shear-bond strength of thin spray-on liner (TSL) on rock substrate was developed at Wits University Rock Mechanics Laboratories. The gap between a 20 mm thick steel ring and a rock core is filled with TSL along the depth of the ring. After the curing of the TSL for a predetermined period, the sample is placed on a base, which offers support to the steel ring and the TSL but not to the rock core. A compressive load is applied on the rock core displacing the core on TSL contact and punching it towards the void in the support base. Shear-bond strengths for different TSL products as well as shotcrete were measured. This paper describes the test set-up and points out the important aspects and procedures during sample preparation and test execution. The test results are also presented and discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By Hornsey R., P. van der Merwe

The Two Rivers Project is a feasibility study to evaluate the UG2 chromitite layer on Dwarsrivier372KT, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The project, which commenced in August 2001, is expected to receive go-ahead early in 2003. The project sponsors (AVMIN 55%, Implats 45%)required project delivery within a short timeframe requiring optimization of the geological and geostatistical programme. Geological modelling was carried out in parallel to the drilling programme, and significant up-front geostatistical preparatory work was done. The time saving was approximately 4 – 6 months on project delivery. The cost saving to the project (excluding NPV considerations) is estimated at R20–30 million. Keywords; Two Rivers Platinum, Dwarsrivier 372KT, UG2 chromitite layer.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. J. Leeuwner

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling is used to research the complex flow structures that exist in a hydrocyclone. By simulation of a two phase (water and air) flow system, the internal flow and multiphase interactions are investigated. The suitability of CFD modelling as a design tool is further evaluated by examining the effect of varying device dimensions. Three hydrocyclone geometries, used in previous studies, are specified. A transient simulation approach, which employs the Reynolds Stress Model as turbulence model and the Volume of Fluid model as multiphase model, is followed. Results are validated qualitatively against experimental measurements from the previous studies. Keywords: CFD modelling, hydrocyclone, Reynolds stress model, multiphase flow

Jan 1, 2008

By B Vorster

Falls of Ground is one of the highest causes of incidents, accidents and fatal injuries in our mines today. These falls of ground may occur as soon as the face is exposed after blasting or after machine cutting. The falls of ground can also occur after support has been installed. There are many reasons why these falls occur before and after supporting of the face. It is therefore important to support the exposed face as soon as possible to prevent the falls of ground. It is also very important to support the face with the correct support products and to support the face as designed and required by the mining engineers. The possible reasons for falls of ground, possible support methods and the products available will be discussed in this presentation. In typical conventional narrow vein stoping operations, the use of conventional temporary support components to offer some support to workers, whilst the permanent and generally more elaborate support system gets installed or constructed, still results in injuries to people. The author wishes to discuss the following items in this paper:- ? Introduction ? Basic face behaviour after exposure ? Controllable Parameters ? Mining Engineers support designs ? Primary and Secondary Support ? Products available for prevention of falls of ground

Jan 1, 2008

By B. Clermont

Ball mills are usually the largest consumers of energy within a mineral concentrator. Comminution is responsible for 50% of the total mineral processing cost. In today?s global markets, expanding mining groups are trying to optimize mill performances. Since comminution is concerned with liberating valuable minerals for recovery in the separation process, it is crucial to run the mills at the best operating conditions which lead to good liberation at competitive throughputs with minimum costs (energy and wear). The high availability of the equipment is also essential to maximize production and profit. To reach this key objective, continuous and reliable information about the mill operation is vital. An innovative tool which can deliver information about in-mill dynamics has been developed by Magotteaux. It can provide online and accurate measurements of the degree of grinding ball fill and pulp position for timely decision making and actions. This tool could be used on its own or linked to an automatic grinding ball loading system named Magoload. Therefore, ball load could be kept constant by using direct measurement. This article describes the Sensomag and presents some of the major improvements that can be achieved with it. Some other promising avenues are still to be explored. Keywords: Comminution, process control, process optimization, process instrumentation, online analysis.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. A. Harris

In this study Pt-Al thin films were prepared via electron beam physical vapour deposition (EB-PVD) with an atomic concentration ratio of Pt25:Al75. These films were heat treated at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 650°C for annealing times from 4 to 60 minutes. The resulting microstructure of these thin films were obtained via secondary electron imaging used in conjunction with depth profiling with the aid of scanning auger microscopy (PHI 700).Elemental maps of the micrographs were obtained. Simulations, based on a chemical potential Monte Carlo method1, were run for various interaction parameters. From these simulations theoretical depth-profiles and proposed microstructures were obtained. These were compared to the experimentally measured depth profiles and elemental maps. Keywords Monte Carlo, chemical potential, depth profile, Pt-Al thin films.

Jan 1, 2011

By J. Stacey

This study was undertaken to generate a locally relevant guideline for the socio-economic aspects of mine closure for South African closure practitioners and decision makers. It should also represent a resource for interested and involved stakeholders. Mine closure, and its related post-closure social, environmental and economic characteristics, is part of the lifecycle of mining operations, given the finite nature of the ore resource. Many coal mines are anticipated to close in the next ten to fifteen years in Mpumalanga, as the epicentre of the industry shifts towards the Waterberg. Social aspects of mine closure have been historically underplayed, and under researched. Coaltech thus commissioned two studies, the first of which examined the closure dynamics of 36 mines in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal in 2006. A follow-up study (July 2007) focusing on Mpumalanga3,4 confirmed some of the results of the first study. It also contained broad guidelines for mine closure covering social and labour planning, job creation, the use of mine infrastructure, developmental incentives, and environmental rehabilitation.

Jan 1, 2010

By M. Hakala, P. Tolppanen

A method to predict stress-induced failures around excavations based on the mapped geological and rock mechanical information is studied. Totally of 7 km of newly excavated tunnels are mapped in the Inmet’s Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland at depth between 1000 - 1440 m from which the results and conclusions from the firstly mapped 1.7 km of tunnels are reported. The main rock type at the site is very hard volcanite having uniaxial compressive strength of 230 MPa in median and GSI-value 72 - 80. The maximum in situ stress around the tunnels is 65 - 85 MPa. The prediction of observed stress failures was preceded by comparing elastic 3-D simulation results of tunnels with three statistical yield criteria. Read’s or Hoek & Brown’s yielding criteria are found the most relevant, though, the effect of anisotropy was found to be significant. The most important parameters having a correlation with stress failures are the tunnel orientation and the foliation of rock. Also, the rock type and its strength, tunnel shape and the geological anomalies have their effects. Further, a delay time on mapping was found to clearly diminishing of the most violent failures. Une méthode de prédiction des contraintes à la rupture autour d'excavation, établie sur la base de cartographie géologique et d'information sur la mécanique des roches, à été étudiée. Au total, 7 km d'un tunnel nouvellement percé à une profondeur de 1000 à 1400 m ont été cartographiés dans la mine de Inmet’s Pyhäsalmi en Finlande. La roche principale du site est une vulcanite dur ayant une résistance à la compression uniaxiale de 230 MPa (valeur moyenne) et une valeur GSI de 72 - 80. La contrainte in situ maximale autour du tunnel se situe entre 65 et 85 MPa. La prédiction des contraintes à la rupture observées a été évaluée en comparant les résultats d'une simulation 3D d'un tunnel avec trois critères de limite d'élasticité statistiques. Le critère de limite d'élasticité de Read ou de Hoek & Brown’s se trouvent être les plus important, même si les effets de l'anisotropie sont significatifs. Les paramètres les plus importants ayant une corrélation avec la rupture sont l'orientation du tunnel et la foliation de la roche. De plus, le type de roche et sa résistance à la compression, la forme du tunnel et les anomalies géologiques ont aussi leur importance. Finalement, un délai dans la cartographie résulte en une diminution nette des ruptures violentes. Basierend auf kartierten geologischen und felsmechanischen Informationen, wird eine Methode untersucht, um spannngsbedingtes Versagen um Ausbrüche herum vorherzusagen. Insgesamt werden 7 km neu ausgebrochenen Tunnels in einer Tiefe zwischen 1000 und 1400 m in der Inmet Pyhäsalmin Mine in Finnland kartiert. Das hauptsächlich vorkommende Gestein ist sehr hart und vulkanischen Ursprungs mit einer mittleren einachsialen Druckfestigkeit von 230 MPa (Medianwert) und einem GSI-Wert von 72-80. Die maximale In-situ-Spannung im Tunnel beträgt 65-85 MPa. Die Vorhersage von beobachteten Spannungsversagen werden weitergeführt indem man elastische 3-D-Simulationsergebnisse von Tunneln mit drei statistischen Fliesskriterien vergleicht. Read's oder Hoek's Fliesskriteria werden dabei als die relevantesten Kriterien angesehen, obwohl auch der Effekt der Anisotropie als wesentlich erachtet wird. Die wichtigsten Parameter für eine Korrelation von Spannungsversagen sind die Orientierung des Tunnels und die Schieferung der Gesteinsschichten. Desweiteren haben Gesteinsart, Tunnelprofil und geologische Anomalien ihren Einfluss. Ausserdem zeigt sich, dass eine Verzögerung bei der Kartierung die ausgeprägtesten Versagen deutlich verringern.

Jan 1, 2003

By H. C. de Wet

The predevelopment and preparation of a total infrastructure in a deep level mining environment, prior to the shaft system being commissioned has major advantages. This paper intends to indicate these advantages and outline an understanding of the disadvantages. These benefits can be classified in three basic groups: the financial and timing advantages, a knowledge of the ore body and the development of required technology to meet the design parameters. The required technology in many aspects was still to be developed prior to successful application. Stemming from the technological evolution are some secondary advantages which will be described in each of the groups. Safety and health considerations and some practicalities made some of the new technology redundant prior to the actual application. In each case the actual achievements and the anticipated benefits will be indicated to allow the reader to distinguish clearly between planned and actual achieved advantages.

Jan 1, 1997

By M. R. Bitarafan

Mining method selection is the first and most important problem in mine design. In this selection some of the parameters such as geological and geotechnical properties, economic parameters and geographical factors are involved. The mining engineer must balance the input parameters and select the method that appears to be the most suitable; mining method selection is both an art and a science. Distinguishing all parameters that have an effect in mining method selection and in the determination of weighting factors of any parameter is a difficult task in an ordinary environment. This paper attempts to determine important parameters that impact on the mining method selection and demonstrates the calculation of the weighting factors for each selected parameter. This study has been directed to the research of a methodology for the selection of an optimal mining method. Different fuzzy methods are presented as an innovative tool for criteria aggregation in mining decision problems. Two methods of fuzzy multiple criteria decision making are used for selecting the optimal method with which to mine anomaly No. 3 of the Gol-Gohar iron mine. This paper finally presents a comparison of the selection methodologies and further discusses the most appropriate method investigated.

Jan 1, 2004

By F. J. Plaul

The dominating technologies for steelmaking are the basic oxygen furnace (BOF or LD process, Linz-Donawitz) and the electric-arc furnace (EAF). The main iron input materials for both are liquid iron as hot metal, or solid iron as pig iron, DRI (direct reduced iron), HBI (hot briquetted iron) and scrap. Hot metal, pig iron (i.e., solidified hot metal) and DRI/HBI are virgin iron materials, which have to be produced from iron ore by so-called ironmaking technologies. The family of ironmaking technologies includes three process routes: blast furnace, smelting reduction and direct reduction. Driven by steadily increasing costs of raw materials in the last two decades, the sector has seen a number of new developments in ironmaking technologies, developments based on fluidized-bed technology. The main advantage of a fluidized-bed technology is that fine iron ore can be directly charged to the process without prior treatment; it does away with agglomeration and its concomitant cost, a step practised in blast-furnace, COREX® and MIDREX® processes. With Posco of South Korea, Siemens VAI Metals Technologies has successfully developed the FINEX® process, a smelting reduction based on the direct use of iron ore fines to produce hot metal. The key technology is the four-stage, bubbling fluidized-bed-reactor system, in which fine iron ore is reduced to DRI fines in a countercurrent flow with a reducing gas generated by coal gasification. Beside surveying the current state of the art, this paper discusses the technological principles of smelting-reduction and direct-reduction processes. The status of FINEX® and the outlook for further developments are described. Crucial to the successful development of the new ironmaking technologies for the direct use of fine ore was the scaling up of the fluidized-bed reactor system, which demonstrated new design features.

Jan 1, 2009

By C. Dauber

Implementing new technologies in industrial operations entails the challenge of measuring the improvements gained by the applied technology. Nevertheless, it is absolutely essential to assess the technical and economic benefits in objective and comprehensible numbers to create a platform for further management decisions. Underground coal mines are characterized by numerous, quite complex procedures which make it difficult to determine the specific economic benefit of a new machine, technique, or method. In the OPTI-MINE Project funded by the European Union?s RFCS programme, five underground coal mines applied the latest information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve efficiency, mine safety, occupational health, and environmental im-pacts. An integral part of the project is the assessment of these technologies by using key performance indicators (KPIs). The paper will describe some examples of the selected KPIs and the preliminary findings.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. Vogt

South African underground hard rock mines are typically managed using measurements made daily, weekly or even monthly of key parameters such as face advance, readiness to blast, blast success, temperature or dust levels. Health, safety and productivity can all be greatly improved if a real-time measurement system can inform decision making. To enable this vision of widespread sensing, communication and decision support, CSIR has developed an open standard architecture for communication of sensor data, and a reference implementation using that standard. The standard, called AziSA, meaning ?to inform? in isiZulu, will allow any device that complies with it to join any network that supports it. The standard is designed for South African gold and platinum mines. To be practical in a typical Bushveld platinum mine, a real-time sensor system needs to be robust, reliable and cheap: ?Sensors are equipped with power sources that will last as long as the sensor is required. In effect, sensors need to be disposable: cheap enough not to warrant repair if they break. ?Communication in the stope is wireless, to avoid there liability problems associated with wire connections. For example, wires to sensors in the face area are unlikely to survive blasting. ?To get information out of the stope, the power line to the scraper winch is used as a communications link. Unlike a separate communications link, the power line will be repaired if damaged, because of its importance to production. ?Outside the stope, communications are transferred onto the mine communication infrastructure. To succeed as a management system, the next key element is the use of software decision support tools that will analyse masses of real-time data to extract key parameters and trends for decision makers. A range of sensors has been developed, including commercial sensors that have had wireless adapters added to make them AziSA compliant, and bespoke sensors that provide low cost sensing of typical mining parameters. An important parameter in any sensor network is the location of the sensor. This has to be easy and cheap to establish, so a tool has been developed to locate sensors in the confines of a stope, using ultrasonic and radio techniques. Once sensors are installed and located, they associate their location to all data that they produce. All the data from the system are captured at surface in a flexible database that can be queried by any application that requires data of any kind. It is simple to program alerts, and for actions to be associated with alerts. The use of wireless in stope also allows for communication from surface to the stope, or from stope to stope. The first implementation of an AziSA compliant system is being installed as part of the Mine Health and Safety Council funded rockfall elimination project. The design is discussed, and a future application for a platinum mine is considered.

Jan 1, 2009