Search Documents

By B Y. Luan, Y Tian, W Zhou, X Lu, Q X. Cai

The unmanned driving technology in open pit coalmines is an important technology that relies on innovation to drive the development of the open pit coal mining industry in China’s transformation of growth drivers and industrial structure upgrading. It is an important path to solve the shortage of mine truck drivers in the future mining, an important way to improve the working environment of open pit mining personnel, and an important foundation for achieving flexible production capacity in open pit mining to cooperate with the coordinated development of new energy. The communication rules at intersections are key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of unmanned driving in open pit coalmines. This paper proposes a collaborative traffic strategy between unmanned trucks for the single bucket unmanned truck intermittent process system in open pit coalmines. Based on the gap theory, this paper analyses the conflict characteristics and establishes a coordinated traffic strategy for the common intersection and merging conflicts of unmanned truck trucks in open pit coalmines, A multi-agent system simulation platform was built to evaluate the coordinated traffic efficiency under different initial average gap sizes of vehicles, with intersection traffic density, vehicle speed, and gap changes as key indicators. The results show that under the simulation conditions of this article, when the initial average gap of vehicles reaches three (four) times or more of the safe distance, the coordinated traffic performance of intersection conflicts (merging conflicts) is better, and the traffic capacity of intersections is close to the traffic capacity without conflicts.

Sep 1, 2024

By K Zhao, H Gong, B Li

Health and safety are the first priority for Australian minerals sector. Australia has a global reputation in the mining industry. However, accidents occur every year. Legislation and regulation are important to prevent the accident from occurring, so do the new technologies. It is sad to witness the collision incident persisting and the long called collision avoidance system (CAS) is still not widely used in underground mines. The main reason is that the existing systems are still not advanced enough. The current CASs utilise GPS, infrared, ultrasonic, RFID, Radar, electromagnetic etc have their limitations and disadvantages. For instance, GPS is widely used in a surface mine, but it cannot be applied in underground mine; Infrared and electromagnetic have the false positive problem.

Sep 1, 2024

By M Yadav, K Clode, S Daykin

The mining industry faces numerous challenges related to sustainability and circular economy principles, necessitating strategic approaches to innovation and resource management. As demands for mineral resources continue to rise, mining companies are under increasing pressure to address environmental impacts, minimise waste generation, and optimise resource utilisation. These challenges underscore the importance of Research and Development (R&D) roadmaps as strategic tools for guiding innovation and sustainability efforts within the sector (Jochen Berbner, 2022). A design-led methodology offers a structured approach to R&D roadmap development, emphasising stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and alignment with industry objectives. By leveraging design principles, mining companies can ensure that their R&D initiatives are responsive to evolving challenges and opportunities, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Against this backdrop, the project aims to address the pressing challenges associated with sustainability and circular economy in the mining industry. Through the development of R&D roadmaps and the application of a design-led methodology, the project seeks to identify innovative solutions for enhancing resource efficiency, minimising environmental impacts, and promoting sustainable practices within mining operations. This paper highlights the collaborative efforts among Isle, the mining industry, and water utilities, which have yielded tangible benefits. The study demonstrates how the outcomes from the roadmaps outlined below effectively align research with strategic objectives, fostering innovation to address pressing challenges.

Sep 1, 2024

By A G. Dempster, N Barnett, J Oh, S Saydam

NASA’s Artemis III mission is expected to return astronauts to the surface to explore and sample the lunar volatiles by 2026. These volatiles are anticipated to provide scientific insights as to how the Moon was created and economic value to off-Earth operations. These same volatiles can pose health implications to astronauts and Earth based personnel handling lunar regolith samples. Using Australian, USA and NASA airborne contaminant exposure limits and the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) measurements of lunar volatiles in the Cabeus crater ejecta, the minimum mass of lunar regolith that can be safely handled by humans on Earth and in spacecraft can be calculated. This analysis determined a 0.15 grams pure sample of Cabeus crater regolith within a cubic metre of air has enough volatiles to exceed safe working conditions, and 14.9 grams of pure Cabeus crater regolith per cubic metre of air can impact human life. The intent of this analysis is to assist safe handling and exposure calculations for the safe handling procedures of lunar regolith containing volatiles.

Sep 1, 2024

By B P. Voutharoj, R A. Dutch, M Paknezhad, T Ostersen

With the proliferation of new sensor technologies, acquiring multiple data sets over the same ground is becoming cheaper and easier than ever. This new, higher resolution multivariate data provides a significant resource for exploration and resource geologists but comes with the added complexity of effectively integrating the various data sets in useful and meaningful ways to elucidate new geological understanding. Both geophysical data sets and hyperspectral data are extensively used for exploration targeting, providing different information at different resolutions and crustal scales. One of the biggest challenges comes from trying to effectively integrate data sets that record very different physical properties, across the different scales these data are captured at, in a way which can allow for a data-driven analysis of these combined data sets.

Sep 1, 2024

By J Leem, S Mehrishal, J Kim, A Fereshtenejad, J Song

Rock mass discontinuity mapping plays a crucial role in developing a reliable Discrete Fracture Network (DFN), providing insights into the distribution of geometrical and mechanical properties of discontinuities. This enables an accurate assessment of geotechnical infrastructure and mining excavations. Data obtained through conventional mapping approaches are substantially limited by factors such as accessibility and subjectivity. Moreover, these conventional methods may pose inherent risks due to manual techniques, exposing practitioners to potential dangers. Recent digital developments in remote surveying techniques offer opportunities for safer and more reliable rock mass discontinuity surveys. These technologies allow extensive three-dimensional surveying and the production of high-resolution 3D surface models, applicable at any time. This paper presents a workflow for digital discontinuity mapping employing drone technology and photogrammetry. Additionally, the capabilities and challenges of applying artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in the rock mass discontinuity characterisation process are discussed.

Sep 1, 2024

By A Murphy, I Samsonova, N Eastwood, D Whittle

Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS or the Convention) (United Nations (UN) Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, 1982) establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the conduct of deep seabed mining (DSM) activities of mineral resources in the Area (defined in Article 1(1) of UNCLOS as ‘the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction’). Under that framework, DSM activities can only take place in the Area pursuant to an approved Plan of Work in the form of a contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (the Authority), a 168-member international body created under UNCLOS to administer the Area. Private contractors can undertake DSM activities if they are sponsored by Member States of UNCLOS, providing a dual system of international and domestic regulatory control and oversight for activities in the Area.

Sep 1, 2024

By M Pyle, R Ch, G Lane, ramhan

Data is the most valuable commodity in the information age. The use of data enables productivity, opportunity, and safety in various sectors and industries. In the late 1950s, Alan Turing coined the term artificial intelligence (AI) to describe the ability of computing machines to think and behave like humans through simplified reasoning and logic (Turing, 1950). This concept of mimicking human behaviour is the building block of machine learning algorithms used in most AI software. The ‘learning’ aspect in machine learning requires data, that is, information on the environment or the objective, to be modelled or predicted using AI. An AI-enabled system aims to predict the unknown faster and intuitively. Intuition in software algorithms can be described as probabilistic, learned through the data that the AI system is trained on; indeed, the AI software cannot predict the future, but it can provide the likelihood of an event/action occurring, thereby enabling decisions or responses to prevent it or take action. Just as various industries have adopted AI as the tool of choice to seek new opportunities (examples: medical research, self-driving cars, financial modelling), the mining industry, too, has been receptive to embracing AI for problem-solving and maximising the value of its business.

Sep 1, 2024

By D Connelly

High purity alumina (HPA) is a processed, premium non-metallurgical alumina product characterised by its purity level ie 99.99 per cent (4N) or 99.999 per cent (5N). The market price, application, and performance of HPA varies widely according to its degree of purity. High purity alumina is a form of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) with growing use in LED lighting and coating on the ceramic cathode separator sheets in lithium ion batteries. This paper describes a study on producing high purity alumina from feldspar to produce HPA and potash for use as a fertiliser. The project was positive for a number of reasons. High potassium extraction (>99 per cent) was achieved in the alkali leach using sodium hydroxide as the leaching agent and full dissolution of the alkali leach residue was achieved using hydrochloric and sulfuric acid. The potential to produce a high purity alumina product via a complex but promising emerging process was assessed. The potential to extract potassium as potassium sulfate to add value to the project was also demonstrated with the test work.

Sep 1, 2024

By K Clode, J Al-Shdifat, S Daykin

Planning for a circular economy allows for previously untapped market opportunities to be explored, resulting in new, innovative revenue generating opportunities, while also reducing environmental impacts. In particular, rare earth elements (REE) are in rising demand as they are key components of over 200 products across a wide range of applications (Xie et al, 2023) including renewable energy technologies. There is a geographical disparity in deposits, with China being the top producer, generating 70 per cent of global production in 2022 (Laboure, 2023). This single dominating source has created supply chain concentration and hence supply risks for other nations, providing a driver for finding alternative sources, such as mine-influenced water (MIW) and tailings. In this study, Isle presents a robust due diligence methodology for undertaking a global horizon scan into REE recovery technology, for a large mining company, from tailings decant water on a specific site. Previous studies of the tailings decant water at this site had shown potentially significant concentrations of both heavy and light REE, but challenges such as high flow, very low pH and high concentrations of iron had previously made recovery unfeasible. Due to these challenges, the horizon scan focused on technologies that had the potential for selective recovery, despite the challenges with water quality, and considered a range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). This included an adsorption-based process that has the potential to selectively separate individual REE, and a polymer based selective flocculation technology.

Sep 1, 2024

By T Hicks

Designers of mining facilities play a significant role in defining the overall mine greenhouse gas emissions performance. This demands an appreciation of all the greenhouse gas emissions sources, including Scope 3 emissions, which will form an increasing fraction of the emissions as we transition our generation sources to renewable energy. Traditionally overland conveyors are designed to operate as fast as practical, and through this approach, achieve relative minimisation of: conveyor belt tensions; belt width; mechanical equipment masses; structural steel quantities; and concrete quantities. It is well understood that higher belt speeds reduce capital cost and improve project economics. Operating at higher speeds introduces operating costs through system energy losses and increased wear rates. This paper assesses the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions for a typical iron ore overland conveyor to demonstrate how the design criteria and engineering decisions impact greenhouse gas emissions and project economics. An analysis of the decarbonisation potential and project economics using a range of operational parameters has been completed, developing a marginal abatement cost for each system configuration, creating a basis for integration of low emission overland conveyor designs as part of the broader facility decarbonisation strategy.

Sep 1, 2024

By B Murphy

Seeking to reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled personnel entry into the operating footprint of a dragline, Coronado Global Resources initiated a review of proximity detection systems currently available and equipment interactions in and around dragline operational areas. At the time of the assessment, there were no established personnel proximity detection systems in compliance with functional safety standards for large machinery in Australia. Our primary objective was to guarantee a functionally safe outcome, particularly by implementing a performance-level-rated system in accordance with AS4024 (Safety of Machinery series of Australian Standards). Applying appropriate detection technologies, the goal was to reduce the residual operating risk for machine-to-machine and machine-to-personnel interactions. A comprehensive analysis of available or in-development technologies was conducted, and a layered approach (demonstrated in Figure 1) was adopted to achieve the desired risk reduction by segregating the sensing zones into distinct areas using diverse and disparate technologies consisting of radar (short); light detection and ranging (LiDAR) (medium); and optical (long). To address the potential limitations of each technology, overlapping layered sensing zones were designed. With LIDAR and optical using two distinct artificial intelligence (AI) systems to classify detections, these were specifically trained to handle the unique environments of a mining operation.

Sep 1, 2024

By I Mason, M van de Werken, B Zhou, J Hargreaves, W Stasinowsky

A critical step in open cut coal mining is clean removal of the overburden. This is usually achieved by drilling, blasting and digging. A key part of this process being successful is to stop drilling at the correct blast ‘stand-off distance’. The stand-off distance is the distance between the base of the drilled blasthole and the top of the coal horizon to be mined. Having this correct provides a protective cap of rock above the coal horizon so that the blast will fracture all the overburden without damaging the coal horizon or mixing it with the overburden. Drilling beyond the correct stand-off distance causes the blast to continue into the coal horizon, damaging it and mixing it with the overburden, leading to significant losses of coal product. Conversely, drilling short of the correct stand-off distance results in additional work to remove the intact overburden.

Sep 1, 2024

By C Staak, H Mischo, A Fichtner, F Reuter

In mining and remote areas of resource industry, there has been a development towards lacking emergency medical first aid response, that creates a potential disadvantage for patients after work accidents and other medical emergencies compared to standard population. This raises the question how a professional emergency medical coverage can be provided underground, taking into account lacking medical professionals in small resource companies combined with long rescue times. Aiming on the closure of this gap, a team of the mine rescue brigade from the Research and Training Mine Reiche Zeche (Forschungs-und Lehrbergwerk (FLB) Reiche Zeche) of the TUBAF Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg in Freiberg/Germany and its cooperating emergency departments of the Freiberg District Hospital and the Zeisigwaldkliniken Bethanien Chemnitz developed a totally new rescue concept using elements from tactical medicine and advanced emergency medicine combined with a specifically designed compact equipment and a highly standardised teaching curriculum. A fully new standardised and condensed tactical medical approach was developed including specifically adjusted equipment, and was taught in a didactically optimised way within 16 lessons in two days. Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE) using manikins and simulated patients were conducted and compared to the identical exam of the reference group, which consisted of advanced paramedics. The standardised tactical medical scheme includes vital functions and body checks, advanced life support, nasal and intraosseous drug application, supraglottic airway management, artificial ventilation, thoracocentesis, bleeding control including tourniquet, fracture repositioning and splinting, transport bedding and thermal preservation. The developed Tactical Medical Mining Rescue (TMR) concept was subsequently included in the German guidelines for mine rescue services in 2022 and is already implemented in many companies in Germany and several international projects.

Sep 1, 2024

By S Gulati, N Sarkar, T Vink, S Battersby, L Okada

This paper examines a successful project implemented by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and the Polymathian team at Deswik, aimed at enhancing short-term scheduling processes to reduce vessel turn times in the BMA Central Queensland coal value chain. The project’s objective was to digitalise the planning process to enable planners to make data-driven insights to improve the profitability of the value chain. The strategy involved developing a digital mining system that incorporates data storage, cloud computing, and the ability to meet the integration needs of both internal and external business systems. This was complemented by a sophisticated, optimisation-based, decision-support tool to enhance the planning teams’ ability to make timely and effective decisions.

Sep 1, 2024

By K Sherry, N Shahbazi

Scope 3 emissions are a set of often overlooked indirect greenhouse gas emissions within a company’s value chain and represent the majority of emissions for many sectors. These emissions arise from activities conducted by entities beyond the reporting organisation’s ownership or direct control and are often challenging to calculate. Scope 3 emissions typically encompass purchasing goods and services, transportation and distribution, managing operational waste, downstream processing and utilising sold products. Within the mining sector, scope 3 emissions often constitute a significant portion of the overall carbon footprint. Therefore, these emissions are a significant aspect of the future of sustainable mining. As the journey towards a world committed to achieving Net Zero Emissions has started, the time to spark a transformative conversation in the mining industry has arrived. Consequently, a better knowledge of scope 3 footprints allows organisations to assess their emission mitigation projects against the total carbon impact of their operations and products.

Sep 1, 2024

By S Padekar, C Tapia, D Likhachev, S Harlikar, D Sapkale

In the quest to access valuable critical minerals, humankind is expanding the frontier into extreme environments like space and deep-sea mining. These ambitious enterprises involve considerable costs and lengthy development cycles to ensure the robustness of mining systems in the face of the harshest conditions and unforeseen challenges. Unfortunately, obtaining information from these unexplored territories is complicated. Data is often scarce, incomplete or impossible to obtain until equipment is deployed, leaving engineers facing many uncertainties throughout the design, testing, production and preparation of such missions. Despite these challenges, these extreme environments operate under consistent physical and chemical principles that can be faithfully digitally replicated. However, unexplored areas and dynamic systems like weather and geology continue to carry uncertainties. While eliminating uncertainties remains elusive, Digital Twins offers a means of robust risk management tool. These virtual replicas can excel in simulating extreme conditions and unexpected events, helping optimise and validate mining system designs tailored for such hostile environments. This study takes inspiration from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover’s wheel damage rate to develop a Multiphysics Modelling and Virtual Motion Simulation (MMVMS) system. Using advanced Generative Design, this MMVMS system refines the MSL’s design, simulates component and system performance, and assesses the risk of premature damage while operating on Mars. Additionally, MMVMS integrates cutting-edge CAD design technologies from aerospace and manufacturing to realistically recreate the Martian environment and a detailed representation of MSL, allowing mobility verification and validation simulation to test different components in terms of materials, design, weight, power and, therefore, cost. The research highlights the precision of MMVMS in replicating extreme conditions, simulating and evaluating internal and external variables influencing the entire system (Rover) in real-time, and predicting movements, failures, and premature damage. This sophisticated Digital Twin technology, showcased in this research, holds promise not only for space missions but also to be adapted for terrestrial and deep-sea mining operations.

Sep 1, 2024

By T Y. Ko, Y S. Kang, S J. Park, J H. Hwang

The lunar subsurface, particularly the lava tubes formed by ancient volcanic activity, presents a promising environment for establishing safe and sustainable human habitats on the Moon. Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), widely used for excavating tunnels on Earth, offer a potential solution for developing these subsurface spaces. However, the unique lunar conditions, including extreme temperatures, high vacuum, radiation, and the extraordinary strength and abrasiveness of lunar rocks, necessitate significant adaptations to existing TBM technology. This study investigates the feasibility of utilising TBMs for lunar subsurface exploration and base construction, addressing the challenges posed by the harsh lunar environment. We review previous conceptual designs for lunar TBMs, highlighting their strengths and limitations in addressing these challenges. Additionally, we explore innovative excavation methods, such as microwave-assisted rock weakening and undercutting techniques, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of lunar TBM operations. By evaluating the geological characteristics of the lunar crust and analysing the potential of lava tubes as launching points for TBM operations, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of the technical requirements and operational considerations for lunar TBM implementation. The findings of this research contribute to the growing body of knowledge on lunar base development and pave the way for future human exploration and utilisation of the Moon’s subsurface resources.

Sep 1, 2024

By B Bradák, D Asahina, S Saydam, S Akdag

Human exploration of Mars has been on the horizon of scientific goals for decades now, and as part of the objectives of human missions to various planets, one of the possible goals is opening new economic frontiers by the potential extraction and utilisation of resources, eg mining minerals and using surface regolith (Neukart, 2024). A comprehensive understanding of surface morphology, lithostratigraphy, basic structural geology, and civil engineering technology is essential to conduct mining operations for resource extraction on extraterrestrial planets. For instance, proper assessment of the risks associated with excavation and infrastructure construction under unique environments such as low gravity, surface irregularities, and the presence of regolith is fundamental. Such knowledge has been accumulated through satellite imagery and numerical topographic data using remote sensing technology, as well as seismic surveys by the on-site lander (Knapmeyer- Edrun et al, 2021; Banerdt et al, 2020; Giardini et al, 2020). Recent studies show that Marsquakes could be caused by the release of strain energy generated by the contraction of Mars. In particular, Marsquakes occur around the graben where many faults exist and form regularly spaced patterns. This implies that Marsquakes occur when the stress field of the Martian crust is an extension condition, and normal faults appear on the surface. In this study, we focus on so-called graben structures, one of Mars’s common tectonic structures (Plescia, 1991; Banerdt et al, 1992; Hoogenboom Hagen, 2014). The study aims to provide additional information about the tectonic environment during the formation of such features and, in addition, the internal mechanical-rheological structure of Mars, revealed by the geometrical pattern of faults modelled and simulated in a laboratory environment.

Sep 1, 2024

By J Zhang, B Wei, T Zhao, K Wang

Understanding mining-induced surface movement and fissures is critical for environmental protection and geological prevention. In this study, image recognition algorithms, satellite remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry (UAVP) were combined to identify surface movement and fissures caused by mining, and a case study was conducted in a coalmine in western China, and the following conclusions were obtained.

Sep 1, 2024