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By C Zhang, R Liang, I Canbulat, S Saydam, B Li

The integration of digital twins in mining represents a significant advancement towards enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. Central to this development is the role of visualisation, a crucial element in mining digitalisation. This paper aims to develop a data-driven visualisation solution for the construction of mining digital twins, highlighting how this innovation revolutionises the representation of physical mining environments. It spotlights the shortcomings of conventional visualisation methods, particularly their inability to accurately depict complex underground environments and their predominantly historical orientation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel, data-driven approach. This approach extensively utilises CAD files, encompassing data from geological surveys to intricate mine plans, thereby significantly elevating the precision of digital twins. It supports real-time updates and enables flexible interaction with a variety of data types. Moreover, it introduces a comprehensive data diagram alongside the adaptation of a 3D tile index. This strategy ensures the efficient rendering of extensive mining environments, allowing for a more dynamic and interactive digital twin model. In conclusion, the implementation of data-driven visualisation in the construction of mining digital twins marks a pivotal advancement in the industry’s digital transformation. It promises a more detailed, accurate, and dynamic depiction of mining operations.

Sep 1, 2024

By S Thomas, E Grimsey

Mining education in Australia has undergone another cyclical downturn over the past five years and several departments have been discontinued while others are still teetering on the brink of destruction. During this downturn Curtin UniversityÆs WA School of Mines (WASM) has managed to stay alive and well, but this has not been by accident. This paper outlines some of the strategies and experiences that have kept WASM in a strong position and offers hope to other departments and schools elsewhere that are still experiencing difficulty. This paper is also directed at all mining departments and schools that are certainly going to see it all happen again after the next mining boom turns to bust.

Jan 1, 2004

Monazite sand is processed at the rate of 25-30 tons per week at Rare Earth Corporation of Australia's plant at Port Pirie. Main products are rare earth concentrates of cerium, lanthanum and yttrium. By-products are commercially pure water soluble thorium sulphate and tri sodium phosphate. The more recent developments in volume rare earth applications are Discussed.

Jan 1, 1972

Selection of the mining method and most appropriate mine layout for deep open cut coal mines is discussed, giving particular attention to the types of mines expected to be developed in the future in Australia. Because of the more complex nature of these operations a large number of alternatives for mine design are available, and the constraints associated with these designs are discussed. Potential problems to be overcome are identified to allow setting of realistic targets for maximum output and build-up production rates.

Jan 1, 1981

In the face of intense global competition and other business pressures on coal miners, ongoing quality initiatives and continuous process improvements are needed to enhance business performance. By viewing a minesite in terms of key processes, rather then departments, and employing innovative technologies and better applying organisational resources, there exists enormous potential to achieve reductions in process cost and time.

Jan 1, 1998

The BHP Steel Group embarked on a Total Quality Control (TQC) programme in 1984 in response to enquiries from a major customer regarding procedures for quality in materials supply.The TQC initiative has been adopted by all seven Divisions of the Steel Group and covers a broad and comprehensive range of management and workforce improvement initiatives.The development of the TQC initiative in the Collieries Division of BHP Steel over the past eighteen months has resulted in important experiences and leanings.

Jan 1, 1991

By Jin C, Shi X

The studies of pulp electrochemical flotation separation of pyrite and arsenopyrite were made from the thermodynamics, mineral natural oxidation rate, property of mineral surface oxidised material and pulp electrochemical flotation tests. The results showed that although pyrite and arsenopyrite possessed similar thermodynamic stability, significant differences of two minerals were observed in natural oxidation rate, property of surface oxidised material and its influence to dixanthogen formation on the oxidised mineral surface. Based on the non-thermodynamic differences, the pulp electrochemical flotation technology was successfully used to separate arsenopyrite from pyrite in pilot test.

Jan 1, 1993

By Ritchie AS

The principles of chromatographic and electrophoretic separations are described in simple non-mathematical language. Brief details of the analytical procedures and of equipment are given. Partial analyses of rare earth elements in monazites from four localit- ies in New South Wales are compared with analyses from other localities. The presence of uranium in two of the monazites is recorded. The occurrence of rare earths in nature is outlined and its geological significance is indicated, A low capital cost method of analysis of rare earths in monazites is Introduced.

Jan 1, 1972

By Turner W. G, Trundle R. S, Medland D. G

Contracting has evolved from basically a tradesman providing a service for an `employer' to a multi disciplined organisation providing an all compassing service for a client.Having commenced its activities as Thiess Bros Pty Ltd, providing simple earthmoving services in rural Queensland, Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd which provides a wide range of services for Governments and Industry is used as an example of an experienced multi-disciplined Contractor.

Jan 1, 1992

The application of cheap robust microprocessor based units to achieve monitoring and control in an underground mining environment is described. The functional layout of the programmable controller and the methods of multiplexing and processing information from local and remote sources are examined as are features for refrigeration plant control.High noise immunity communication to a remote micro computer uses existing telephone lines and enables display and print of essential data. The development of this system then leads to applications in monitoring compressed air, ore transport and underground fires.In conclusion, the problems of data presentation to different levels of management and the future philosophy of a central multi-reporting system are discussed.

Jan 1, 1985

This paper details the approach adopted to develop an integrated asset management system for a GreenfieldÆs Metallurgical Plant during a recently completed feasibility study. The proposed asset management system deals with general aspects related to metallurgical operations and includes the following:plant operation and control, human resources, security systems, stores, and maintenance management. The paper deals with the establishment of requirements for the asset management system, the interfaces required, available systems in place and cost estimations for implementation. Every effort was made to integrate the system into existing corporate installations to create an integrated and effective management tool from both a plant operation and support perspective.

Jan 1, 2002

The Newmont Waihi Operations mill has undergone significant growth over its life. Initially designed as a single SAG mill operation, the circuit has been progressively upgraded since 1988 from a nameplate capacity of 600 000 tonnes per annum to the current rate of 1.3 million tonnes per annum. With future mining potential there is renewed interest to increase the processing rate even further. Over the next twelve months five sustaining capital projects will be undertaken and two major eco-efficiency projects will be completed. With the exception of the large grinding mills, most equipment on a gold treatment plant is replaced after 10-15 years. Waihi Gold mine has been operating for 14 years and has just recently received approval to replace equipment in five main areas; carbon elution, carbon regeneration, scats crushing, intertank screens and variable speed drives. Each project has been justified on improved process efficiencies and operating/maintenance cost savings. The two eco-efficiency projects involve a water balance model and a cyanide optimisation project, both of which are Corporate key performance indicators (KPI).

Jan 1, 2002

By Mason P, Waller C

The Phase I electrowinning system at KCGM's Fimiston Operation utilised the well proven technology of electrowinning precious metal values onto steel wool followed by calcining and direct smelting to bullion. The above process, while reliable and successful, was to some extent labour intensive. The Williams Mine in Ontario, Canada had published conditions under which precious metal values are electrowon onto woven stainless steel and directly removed using high pressure sprays. The current paper describes the testwork which was carried out to check the applicability of the Williams criteria to KCGM eluates arising from the elution of highly loaded carbon from the calcine circuit and lowly loaded carbon from the float tails circuit. Information is also given on the commissioning and operational experience which occurred.

Jan 1, 1996

By W Lu, D Wang

Study of coal oxidation at low temperatures forms the basis of investigating the inherent properties of spontaneous combustion of coal. In general, the process of coal oxidation at low temperatures is very complex, involving many factors. Experiments examining the properties of oxidation and ignition of coal have been carried out. Based upon the results of these experiments, the catastrophe properties in the process of coal oxidation are analysed and the mechanism of catastrophe is proved for the ignition of coal. A folding catastrophe model is also established for the process of coal oxidation. Results obtained show that the process of coal oxidation to ignition is discontinuous, where the coal-environment system yields structure destabilisation. The system can jump from one stable attractor to another. The research results presented in this paper help to show the irregularities of coal oxidation at low temperatures and how to pursue effective control measures.

Jan 1, 2005

By Hosking JW, Muir DM, Ruane M, Smith I. Hinchliffe WD

Maintaining carbon activity is critical to the satisfactory recovery of gold in the Carbon-in-Pulp (C.I.P.) process. Reduced activity can lead to gold losses in tails and lower tonnage throughput.Carbons from a number of W.A. C.I.P. circuits have been examined for the extent of fouling by inorganics such as calcium, magnesium, copper, nickel and silicon. Many of these carbons have exceedingly low activity leadingto low gold loading and excessive contact times. The relative importance of these fouling agents and cyanide levels on carbon activity is discussed. Mathematical modelling shows that relatively small improvements in kineticactivity lead to much lower tank volume require-ments and carbon residence times.

Jan 1, 1984

Increasingly, mineral operations need to manage water as a key business asset. Managing water solely as an environmental issue leaves a business exposed to social, cultural and economic risks associated with water. Adopting a company-wide strategic approach, which takes account of the true value of water will provide businesses with opportunities and risk protection. Rio Tinto has recognised the business imperative for water stewardship and has responded by producing the Rio Tinto Water Strategy. This strategy commits the company to managing water assets in a responsible manner, taking account of environmental, social and economic values. To incorporate the true value of water in site decision making, a new set of tools is required at the operational level. A key part of the strategy focuses on developing a framework to value water based on case study examples from around the Group. This paper presents progress on the companyÆs experiences in developing and implementing the water strategy.

Jan 1, 2006

By P Sutton

The global goal of Sustainable Development is not achievable without major changes in the way goods and services are delivered and material needs are satisfied, which requires tremendous innovation in the supply chains and life cycles in which minerals and energy processing take part. Values derived from minerals and metals processing need to be delivered with a fraction of current ecological impacts, which means removing technical obstacles to eliminating waste and emissions in the minerals cycle. The challenge is to find economically attractive ways to get there, through eco-efficiency gains in existing operations, capturing regional synergies, streamlining and greening the materials supply chain, and commercialising new process technology and new products. This paper summarises the outcomes of the Sustainable Resource Processing project, which was designed to provide a strategic analysis of what sustainability means for minerals and metals processing and how that can be effectively translated into technical and business innovation.

Jan 1, 2002

Reserves of high-grade quartz gravel, lignite, and timber suitable for the production of silicon metal and ferrosilicon on large scale occur within 40 miles of Bluff Harbour. Undeveloped hydroelectric power resources on the Clutha River are located within 50 miles of the most promising quartz gravel deposits while opencastable lignite, potentially suitable for electric power production, occurs in the same locality as the quartz gravels. A preliminary study of production economics indicates that the commercial feasibility of silicon/ferrosilicon production would depend mainly on the cost of electric power, total capital cost of plant, and the market value of the products. The proximity of Bluff Harbour is advantageous for the export of products.

Jan 1, 1971

Over a four year period from 1984 to 1987, a broad range of ground conditions were experienced in recovering old workings at the Walhalla mine in central-eastern Victoria. Access to the ore zone was gained via old workings and new development. The work included: Recovery of vertical and inclined shafts. Recovery of collapsed winzes. Recovery of level drives and crosscuts. Spiling through broken ground and old mullock. Pre-grouting of caved zones. New development using small-scale rail equipment and "bobcat" Loaders.

Jan 1, 1988

By C Deacon

It is common practice to include microspheres or similar density reducing agents in inherently insensitive water-based commercial explosives to achieve detonative sensitivity in the absence of chemical sensitisation. It has recently become possible to similarly include microspheres in LDAN (low density ammonium nitrate). Further to previous studies and publications to determine the benefits resulting from the use of microsphere enhanced LDAN technology in blasting, additional advantages are described in this document. These include range tests at independent testing facilities (Universal Tech Corporation û USA) which reflect results observed in the field, and support theoretical assumptions made when the products were introduced. Additionally, on-site studies in opencast pits using Heavy-ANFO blends incorporating modified LDAN, show that monetary savings can be realised through significant advantages gained in plant throughput and explosives use.

Jan 1, 1999