Mehmet S. Kizil

Taxonomy of interactive computer-based visualisation systems and content for the mining industry – part 2

Abstract This is the second paper of a series authored by a collaboration of international researchers. It develops taxonomy for computer-based virtual reality simulators of relevance to the mining industry. A summary is presented of simulator types implemented in the industry, and continuums are used to explain concepts and issues that affect simulator development and integration. The paper classifies simulators and demonstrates that there are potentially many simulator formats still to be realised and implemented by the mining industry. Simulator issues that are often overlooked such as human factors, cognitive load and development costs and their impact on the development of sustainable simulator technologies are considered in some detail. Barriers to development and integration are mentioned, and the need for industry to engage with university-level research and develop a uniform and integrated approach are discussed. Finally, a brief case study is presented and conclusions are drawn about the current status and sustainability of simulator development in the mining industry.

The effect of coal particle size on colorimetric analysis of roadway dust

Colorimetric analysis of roadway dust is currently a method for monitoring the incombustible content of mine roadways within Australian underground coal mines. To test the accuracy of this method, and to eliminate errors of judgement introduced by human operators in the analysis procedure, a number of samples were tested using scanning software to determine absolute greyscale values. High variability and unpredictability of results was noted during this testing, indicating that colorimetric testing is sensitive to parameters within the mine that are not currently reproduced in the preparation of reference samples. This was linked to the dependence of colour on particle surface area, and hence also to the size distribution of coal particles within the mine environment

A microfabricated fibre optic sensor for methane gas measurement in underground coal mines

The mining industry requires a reliable system to accurately and safely measure methane concentrations at various locations in underground coal mines. This paper aims to investigate the potential for an all-fibre optic based methane sensor. Various types of all-fibre sensors are studied and side drilled hollow core fibres have been experimentally tested. The results show that hollow core fibre has the potential to be developed as a methane sensor and implemented in an underground coal mine environment to accurately and safely measure methane concentrations with acceptable response time and accuracy.

Underground coal mine layout selection using analytical hierarchy process

Abstract One of the most critical and complicated steps in mine planning is the selection of a suitable layout based on geological, geographical, geotechnical and economical parameters. These parameters influence the choice of different layouts of coal mine workings and normally examined on the basis of experience gained in the coalfields. The wide ranging combinations of geological, geotechnical and mining conditions make the selection of the optimum design and layout for a particular situation a difficult task. Variations in these parameters result in multiple feasible mine layouts; where each layout entails some inherent problems and the optimal layout is the one that offers the least problems. These variations in designs result in complex multi-decision situations that cannot be solved by a simple technique. This study applies the analytical hierarchy process in selection of the most viable panel orientation for a longwall operation. A back analysis of this technique was conducted at a mine located in Central Queensland, Australia. The geological and geotechnical aspects of the mine resulted in variations in the recommended panel orientations. Three different mine layouts with variable geological and geotechnical impacts were evaluated and the optimum mine layout was determined. This study also challenged the viability of the results obtained by performing a consistency check at every critical stage of the project.

Spatial Prediction of Lateral Variability of a Laterite-Type Bauxite Horizon Using Ancillary Ground-Penetrating Radar Data

Tropical laterite-type bauxite deposits often pose a unique challenge for resource modelling and mine planning due to the extreme lateral variability at the base of the bauxite ore unit within the regolith profile. An economically viable drilling grid is often rather sparse for traditional prediction techniques to precisely account for the lateral variability in the lower contact of a bauxite ore unit. However, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) offers an inexpensive and rapid method for delineating laterite profiles by acquiring fine-scale data from the ground. These numerous data (secondary variable) can be merged with sparsely spaced borehole data (primary variable) through various statistical and geostatistical techniques, provided that there is a linear relation between the primary and secondary variables. Four prediction techniques, including standard linear regression, simple kriging with varying local means, co-located cokriging and kriging with an external drift, were used in this study to incorporate exhaustive GPR data in predictive estimation the base of a bauxite ore unit within a lateritic bauxite deposit in Australia. Cross-validation was used to assess the performance of each technique. The most robust estimates are produced using ordinary co-located cokriging in accordance with the cross-validation analysis. Comparison of the estimates against the actual mine floor indicates that the inclusion of ancillary GPR data substantially improves the quality of the estimates representing the bauxite base surface.

Fibre Optic Sensing Based Slope Crest Tension Crack Monitoring System for Surface Mines

The stability of slopes in surface mines is of high concern due to the risk to both personnel and excavation plant. A variety of slope stability monitoring systems have been developed and implemented in the industry in order to predict slope failures before they occur and to minimise the damage to peopleand plant. This paper examines the technical challenges of the current slope tension crack monitoringsystems and demonstrates the feasibility of an innovative FBG-based crack sensing system. The results of preliminary experiments show that with the application of the mechanical displacement converter, the slope crack generation can be measured using FBG strain sensors.

Modelling of In-Pit Crusher Conveyor alternatives

Abstract As open cut mines become progressively deeper, mining operations face increased operating costs and technical challenges. In-Pit Crusher Conveyor (IPCC) systems offer advantages in the form of continuous operation, reduced labour requirements and decreased energy consumption resulting in lower cost per bank cubic metre. Nevertheless, IPCC systems are associated with high capital costs, lack of flexibility to adapt to changing mine plans and low effective system utilisation. This paper investigates alternative IPCC configurations for pre-stripping application in an open pit coal mine. It demonstrates that system redundancy in the form of introducing parallel conveyor lines with spreaders is capable of improving IPCC productivity by 9·4–12·6%. Parallel conveying systems have higher Equivalent Unit Costs (EUCs) than do single conveyor IPCC configurations. Nevertheless, introducing redundancy into IPCC systems enables higher production and associated coal revenue. Using an indicative metallurgical coal price and stripping ratio, it was demonstrated that parallel conveyor IPCC systems can provide higher profit than single conveyor line IPCC alternatives.

Incorporating fine-scale ground-penetrating radar data into the mapping of lateral variability of a laterite-type bauxite horizon

Abstract Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) offers an inexpensive and rapid method for delineating the laterite profiles by acquiring fine-scale data from the ground. In a case study, a GPR survey was conducted at the Weipa bauxite mine in Australia, in which numerous pick points corresponding to the depth to the bauxite/ironstone boundary were acquired from the ground. These pick points were subsequently merged with the available exploration borehole data using four prediction algorithms, including standard linear regression (SLR), simple kriging with varying local means (SKLM), Bayesian integration (BAY), and ordinary co-located cokriging (OCCK). The required structural inputs for the aforementioned algorithms were derived from the modelled auto and cross-semi-variograms. The cross-validation results suggest that the SKLM approach yielded the most robust estimates. The comparison of these estimates with the actual mine floor also indicates that the inclusion of ancillary GPR data substantially improved the estimation quality.

A Cost Effective Method to Enhance Dredge Mine Reconciliation in Heavy Minerals Mining Industry

Heavy mineral deposits of placer origin are mostly found as beach or dune deposits. Suction cutter or bucket-wheel dredgers are used to exploit such deposits when water is present for the maintenance of artificial channels and dredge ponds. Production reconciliation of dredge mining is a complex process because slumping of material causes mixing of material to take place amongst resource blocks during mining operations. This paper reviews the applicability of sonar technology for the determination of material losses taking place in the dredge ponds, and also reviews the applicability of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags in conjunction with sonar technology as a cost effective method to enhance dredge mine production reconciliation in the heavy minerals mining industry.

Analysis of quarry-blast-induced ground vibrations to mitigate their adverse effects on nearby structures

The Peak Particle Velocities (PPVs) were measured at several station points in the vicinity of a limestone quarry in Turkey, and a Scaled Distance (SD) value for each individual blast was calculated. A linear regression analysis was performed and results were plotted. An attenuation equation unique for the limestone quarry was statistically derived from the plotted graph, with an acceptable correlation coefficient. The safe charge weight per delay was calculated for given distances, based on the damage criteria developed by US Bureau of Mines (USBM), DIN 4150-3 and other international standards. A comparison was also performed between the predicted and measured PPV values to verify the accuracy of the attenuation equation.