S. Dessureault

Data infrastructure for a tactical mine management system

Abstract An evolution in tactical mine management systems is underway, powered by IT and new management tools. This paper considers the specific data infrastructure needs for such systems that were identified in field studies in operating underground metal mines. These were formulated into a methodology to create a mine-focused information system through structured data modelling and process mapping. The importance of data items particular to mining systems became evident through this study, such as workplace, process descriptions, and details of production process outputs. Some of these new data items can be used to integrate data thereby enabling new management tools and techniques. The application of the data infrastructure design methodology at operating mines was seen to improve managements understanding of the production system and to enable the creation of tactical management tools. This paper discusses the need, principles, and specifics of designing a data infrastructure specifically for underground metal mining. It stems from a collaborative PhD study that developed a methodology to create a tactical mine management system that was applied in underground mines in the Sudbury basin, in Ontario Canada.

Analysis of flexible mining systems

Flexible mining systems possess the ability to adapt to internal or external changes in operating conditions and maintain production expectations. This paper reviews the nature of the various types of mining flexibility and their controlling factors. Methods for assigning a value or figure of merit to flexibility are presented. Examples focus on the use of these methods at the mine level. Option pricing was found to be a useful approach for valuation of flexibility in a strategic, long-term context such as in mine design or major modification of mine operations. Computer simulation was found to be useful for tactical evaluation of flexible opportunities in mine production control.

Intelligent production management in mining systems

This paper attempts to characterize the mining process and the principles of mine production management. It considers the integration of decision support and information technologies into new intelligent systems for mine production management. A case study is examined which considers the production planning and control procedures at an open pit copper mine. This is used to demonstrate an approach to short term planning based on optimizing profit, using spreadsheet software and linear programming. This work shows that with little cost and time, a spreadsheet tool can be developed in-house for more scientific and cost effective mine production management. Such tools enable more constraints to be considered and management performance to be evaluated.

Justification techniques for information technology infrastructure in mining

Abstract Information-based technologies are seen as a key source of future productivity improvements in mines. An important trend in information technology (IT) is the integration of data that can lead to improvements in a multitude of strategic and tactical functions. These information technology infrastructure (ITI) investments are difficult to justify financially because many of the advantages are derived from subsequent projects that improve flexibility, quality, and operational control. ITI enables the option to invest in subsequent projects but rarely provides immediate benefits. Other industries have adopted the use of real-options pricing methods as an empirically proven method to quantify the financial value of these enabling investments. Real-options pricing models are based on the mathematics developed to value financial options in stock markets. One of the simplest option pricing models is the Black-Scholes option pricing method (BSOPM). Other option pricing models commonly used in ITI justification include the Growth and Compound option models. They have been used to justify data warehouse development. Data warehouses are large databases that integrate data from sources throughout the company, and re-structure the data to facilitate analysis and modelling along integrated business processes. Data warehouses in themselves do not add value to the company; however, they can be used in other business improvement projects that can result in positive outcomes. The BSOPM is used in this paper to value the investment in a data warehouse. Although there are many other option-pricing models and option types, the BSOPM was used to illustrate this example due to its simplicity so as to introduce the mineral industry to this application. Including a more accurate measurement of the value of these investment options increases the insight of justification packages, especially when dealing with complex systems such as ITI.

Block model reconstruction using truck fleet management system data

Abstract Global positioning system based fleet management systems are becoming ubiquitous among contemporary surface mines. The technology continues to improve in areas such as wireless bandwidth, management features and data generation. The secondary use of such data, beyond fleet management, is likely to come from improved engineering techniques. This paper describes the development and testing of a materials tracking system at the block model level. The objective is to provide mine planners with information to design a rehandle plan if the material dumped earlier becomes economic. The ultimate objective is to facilitate a merging of the mine block model and the destination block model to generate a multipit optimisation.

A Study of the Synergy of new Technology, Business Tools and Information to Optimize Mine Production Control

New technologies, sources of information, and business paradigms developed and perfected in other industries should enable mine optimization opportunities that were previously unfeasible. Surface mining opportunities include optimization of fragmentation, blending for comminution, and short term production planning. The key to the success of these opportunities is not the use of a single technology, business tool or bit of information, but the synergy from integrating all three. Data manipulation and analysis tools, and management mechanisms provide the ‘glue’ that is needed to gain the synergy from these technologies and information. These opportunities should enable mines to be more profitable and flexible with the ability to concentrate more on setting and achieving their strategic goals.