| Mining Technology Projects |
Water-Jet Scaling
The Centre for Mining Technology (CMT) has conducted investigations into
the applicability of high pressure water jet scaling for underground hard
rock drift development. The ultimate aim of the project is to increase
drift development rates, which would lead to reduced
costs per metre of drift development and more importantly quicker
access to ore reserves. The water jet scaling technology increases
drift development rates in two ways: firstly it reduces the time spent
in the scaling of loose material in the drift development cycle. Secondly
the water jet scaler leaves a clean drift surface for the liner (either
shotcrete or membrane liner products) support system to adhere to. With
certain muckpile profiles it may also be possible to scale over the blasted
rock, which could also reduce the drift development cycle time.
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project has been sponsored to date by Placer Dome Canada, Inco Limited,
Western Mining Corporation (Australia) and Falconbridge Limited.
The work has involved field testing of a high performance automated
water jet scaler in combination with various spray on supports.
High pressure pumps capable of over 14 MPa (2000 psi) and 300 litres
per minute were utilised for removal of loose rock material from
the tunnel walls. Scaling performance was tested through manual
check scaling and no failures have been recorded so far. A failure
has been judged to be rock material that would fall from the back
or walls by striking vigorously with a 12 ft scaling bar. It was
suggested that this would provide sufficient scaling performance
such that the support could then be subsequently installed and provide
a reasonable time period for the support to develop some strength
properties. |
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In addition to the water jet technology development,
CMT has been monitoring blast quality and performance as part of the
scaling trials and has expertise in the following areas:
- Rock Fragmentation Analysis (from digital photograph and video)
- Time and Motion Studies (specifically geared to new technology
- Automation
- Rock Mass Classification in relation to Scaled Rock Volumes
- Laser Scanning for Determining Rock Scaling Volumes
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The scaling trials have produced a considerable amount of information
regarding the performance of a water jet scaler for rapid drift development.
Additional water jet scaling tests underground in combination with the
required support systems are ongoing.
CMT has a high pressure water jet laboratory, which is capable of examining
new nozzles for water jet scaling applications as well as other water
jet technology development.
To see an mpg video of the waterjet scaler in action click
here
Further information on rock scaling technology or high pressure water
jet applications can be obtained from:
Paul Dunn
Director, CMT
(705) 675-1151 x 5074
pdunn@mirarco.org
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Sequence
Optimization
The Centre for Mining Technology (CMT) has conducted investigations into
the applicability of sequence optimization using genetic
algorithms in combination with simulation.
The ultimate aim of the project is to optimize production/process sequences,
which will lead to improved plans and schedules and more importantly a higher
profitability. The sequence optimization technology increases profitability
in two ways: firstly it reduces the time spent on sequencing a process.
Secondly, the sequence optimization will deliver near-optimal solutions
for complex systems.
In order to develop the sequence optimizer, CMT has been reviewing mine
planning and design procedures of underground mines to understand
the need for sequence optimization.
Genetic algorithms have been chosen as the optimization algorithms due
to their ability to handle large search spaces and the fact there is no
restriction on the mathematical function that validates the proposed sequences.
In fact, the mathematical function in the sequence optimization project
is a simulation model.
Simulation models are very good in representing human-based reasoning
involved in sequencing problems. Flowchart-like diagrams can be easily
converted into a simulation model.
This project is sponsored by:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council (NSERC) IPM
- Datamine
- AST Mining
CMT has extensive simulation and mine scheduling experience and uses
this knowledge on projects in a variety of areas, including, but not limited
to, sequece optimization.
Further information on sequence optimization, simulation, genetic algorithms
or mine planning and design can be obtained from:
André van Wageningen
Senior Research Engineer, CMT
(705) 675-1151 x 2015
avanwageningen@mirarco.org
KEY TERMS:
Genetic algorithms are a part of evolutionary
computing, which is a rapidly growing area of artificial intelligence.
Genetic algorithms are inspired by Darwin's theory of evolution. Simply
said, problems are solved by an evolutionary process resulting in a best
(fittest) solution (survivor).
The algorithm begins with a set of solutions (represented by chromosomes)
called a population. Solutions from one population are taken and used
to form a new population. This is motivated by the hypothesis that the
new population will be better than the old one. Solutions which are then
selected to form new solutions (offspring) are selected according to their
fitness - the more suitable they are the more chances they have to reproduce.
Simulation is the imitation
of a real-world process or system over time. Simulation involves the generation
of an artificial history of the system and the observation of that artificial
history to draw inferences concerning the operating characteristics of
the real system being represented. Both existing and conceptual systems
can be modeled with simulation.
Mine planning and design is
the process of designing a mine layout and mine plan based on the mine
design. Mine designs are based on many factors, such as geomechanical
constraints. Mine planning is the process of planning the tasks in such
a way that the goals set by management are met. These goals normally consist
of production targets, revenue, etc. The mine planning and design process
is an iterative design , aided in part by modern computer programs.
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Long-Term Mine Planning
Mine planning and scheduling of underground
operations requires a high level of inter-disciplinary interaction
and communication between mining professionals. Ideally, the complex
undertaking should be conducted using a team-based approach incorporating
business, engineering and operating personnel. MIRARCO has developed
an immersive collaborative environment ideally suited for mine plan
audits. The virtual reality laboratory (VRL) is one of only a few
immersive research theatres being built in Canada and the only one
of its kind in the world that specializes in mining applications.
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The Centre for Mining Technology (CMT) has developed
and is continuously improving a 5D mining eXploratorium program (5DX)
within the VRL. The 5DX program builds on GoCad, a powerful earth
modeling software package, as a platform for transforming geological,
geophysical, engineering and monitoring data into 3D visual images
relevant for the multi-disciplinary needs of the mining industry.
The program incorporates 3D spatial information with time and financial
data, which together creates the 5D eXperience. |
The 4th dimension in 5DX represents time and the 5th
dimension are the financials.
Adding financial information will give valuable insight on the periods
with the highest risk and overall value of the project as well as
specific stope value information, the so-called Net
Stope Return. |
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| Adding time data to the spacial information allows mines to conduct
grade reconcillation exercises, monitor and compare actual and planned
progress and examine different mine planning alternatives with the
associated technical risks. |
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In order to achieve the goals of the 5DX project, an underground database
was created to provide a link to external software packages and to increase
functionality by exploiting the powers of GoCad. In addition, CMT is also
investigating sequence optimization techniques,
which uses genetic algorithms and simulation, to produce better mine plans
and schedules. The utilization of other in-house software applications,
Drifts@Risk and Stopes@Risk, to incorporate geotechnical considerations,
makes MIRARCO’s 5DX an ideal tool for solving complex mine planning
issues.
Further information on the 5DX applications and functionality can be
obtained from:
Paul Dunn
Director, CMT
(705) 675-1151 x 5074
pdunn@mirarco.org
KEY TERMS:
Net Stope Return is defined
as all the revenue from a stope minus the local and shared development
cost. The local and shared development cost information comes from the
groups. The local group will contain only one stope and the development
specific for that stope. Shared groups can contain several stopes and
the development shared by this set of stopes. For example, shared development
could be a main access drift, while local development could be a cross-cut
for that specific stope. Individual pieces of development can only belong
to one group (e.g. local or shared). Stopes can belong to one local group
and several shared groups.
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Virtual Reality Safety
| Mobile
equipment such as Load Haul Dump vehicles (LHD’s) and haulage
trucks are used extensively in mining. However, the design of both
LHD’s and haulage trucks, in combination with the constraints
of the underground operating environment, have resulted in a number
of serious accidents, including fatalities and numerous incidents
which had the potential for serious injury. |
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MIRARCO’s research
in this area recreates the CAD (Computer Aided Design) underground
environment and equipment profiles in the new state-of-the-art 3D
stereo immersive environment, such that line of sight issues can
be analysed. The CAD models are rendered and dynamically linked
to form a Virtual Reality (VR) model of a LHD vehicle that can be
manipulated in a simulated underground environment. The research
is funded by WSIB and offers an excellent scientific knowledge transfer
opportunity. |
The Steps required in recreating the mine equipment and underground
models using Blender software:
- Import the model (equipment or underground environment) from a vrml or dxf (AutoCAD standard) file or create a model from scratch using the Blender Publisher.
- Make any necessary changes or scaling to the mesh by manipulating the mesh and/or vertex points.
- Add color and/or image textures to the faces of any mesh we wish to see as well as different lighting
settings.
- Add other models or meshes as needed in the scene.
- Animate key frames and activate with timers or key strokes.
- Objects that we want to be able to move, called actors, are controlled by adjusting forces which create movement by using the game engine Logic Bricks, thus allowing control through key presses or mouse movements.
- From here, the only limit is the imagination as we can create, setup, and move any objects to make full simulations.
To see an avi video of a finished fly-through
animation, click
here.
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The longer term aim with this research is to allow accident reconstruction
and rare event simulation to be conducted for the mining industry. We
offer services to mines that wish to evaluate a big project in a VR setting
before outlaying large amounts of money and resources. There is the potential
to evaluate the mechanisms behind accidents and prevent them from happening
in the future. Companies also see the benefit of the VR models we produce
for training purposes and knowledge transfer, and we currently conduct
workshop sessions in our Virtual Reality Laboratory in 3D active stereo.
Further information on Virtual Reality Safety can be obtained from:
Paul Dunn
Director, CMT
(705) 675-1151 x 5074
pdunn@mirarco.org
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