Analyzing degradation of ore pass walls in Kiirunavaara mine using scanning data

Ore passes play a vital role in underground mining operations by facilitating the gravity-driven movement of ore from production levels to lower levels. Failure of the ore pass has serious consequences, including possible production disruptions and substantial financial investments in reconstruction or rehabilitation. Failure mechanisms are often associated with rock mass quality, stress conditions, and wear of the ore pass walls. This study investigated the degradation of ore pass walls using scanning data at LKAB’s Kiirunavaara mine in Sweden. Geotechnical information obtained from various sources aided in further understanding the ore passes’ conditions. The study revealed variations in the ore pass growth rates, highlighting potential stability concerns and the correlation between throughput and pass growth. The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and regular inspection to manage wall degradation. The paper proposes potential rehabilitation measures to ensure the stability and safety of ore passes in mining operations

How can an AR video game improve the understanding of mines for the general public.

El objetivo de este proyecto es demostrar si, tomando como base un videojuego desarrollado en VR y dirigido a estudiantes de Ingeniería de Minas, se puede emular una experiencia adecuada de simulación o aprendizaje en AR/MR con usuarios generales sin conexión alguna con las minas. El proceso consiste en crear assets para la mina interactiva, desarrollar los escenarios donde se muestran diferentes partes de la mina y, finalmente, evaluar el juego con usuarios de diferentes orígenes y contextos. La evaluación final ha sido de gran ayuda para la revisión del producto, ya que mostró sus limitaciones actuales ante el público en general. Los principales problemas encontrados son los siguientes: problemas de navegabilidad a través del juego, necesidad de un propósito durante la experiencia de aprendizaje, y la pregunta de si sería accesible y útil para todos los públicos. Sin embargo, a pesar de estas limitaciones, también se han demostrado sus posibilidades con estudiantes nuevos de Ingeniería de Minas, y el claro potencial que tiene el proyecto para mejorar el aprendizaje de un público bastante amplio.<br /

Comparison of mechanical excavation and drilling : A discrete event simulation approach

The scope of this study covers the comparison of mine development using conventional drill and blast method, which is the continuation of a long tradition in mining, and mechanical excavation, which is performed by a continuous mining development machine. The aim of the study was to analyze both excavation methods and compare them with each other using discrete event simulation. This allowed creation of initial scenarios, which then can be further analyzed and extended to a more robust version. Before the construction of the model regarding development of the mine and simulation runs a literature review was conducted. The software AutoMod was chosen for creation of the model, which is trying to depict the most important factors that influence the real system operation specified in the study. Moreover, additional add-ons such as AutoView allowed furthering analysis of the results obtained from the base case scenario. In this study, the advancement rate was the primary focus. The modular mining machine parameters are conceptual as the machine is still yet to be subjected for further development and in-situ testing. The drill and blast data was taken from one of Boliden’s mines as to represent the real system case scenario. Major findings were that, when only taking into consideration the advancement rates, the Modular Mining Machine was much faster than drill and blast method for 3 km long tunnel. Moreover, the advancement rate for two 2.5 km long tunnels was almost the same when excluding the time of moving the machines between both tunnels.Validerat; 20130614 (global_studentproject_submitter

Lastning och transport i underjordsgruvor

The research presented in this thesis addresses several aspects of loading operations inunderground mines, in particular tools and equipment selection. It also addresses the flexibilityof the fleet when subject to substantial disturbances, such as ore pass loss, and proposes integration of the scheduling system with discrete event simulation. The thesis begins with a study of discrete event simulation (DES) tools for loading operations in an underground mining system. The results show the benefits of using simulation but also the drawbacks.The thesis presents an analysis of energy consumption and exhaust gas emissions from diesel and electric LHDs. The results show the potential energy savings with the use of electric LHDs. Next, it focuses on the LHD operations affected by long-term ore pass loss (unavailability). It shows the effects on the production system (the ventilation requirements, production and waiting times when too many LHDs operate in the area affected by an ore pass loss) and highlights the need for a flexible solution and a mitigation strategy. Finally, the thesis studies the integration of ABB’s Ability Operations Management System (OMS) with the SimMine simulation model and how this affects LHD operations. The results show the benefits of using the joined platformas a testbed and decision support system

Rock mass transportation systems in underground mines: consequences and solutions when mining at greater depths

The research presented in this thesis addresses a number of challenges related to rock mass transportation in deep underground mines. In particular, high energy consumption and high exhaust gas emissions from diesel and electric LHDs, the effects of ore pass loss on the loading, hauling and dumping operations due to increasing stresses and increasing costs due to the longer vertical transportation of the rock masses. These critical challenges have been identified by a literature review and analysis of data collected from 15 international deep mines. In order to answer the formulated research questions, three studies on various issues related to rock mass transportation in deep underground mines were made, and the analysis was performed mainly using discrete event simulation. The thesis presents a study of energy consumption and exhaust gas emissions from diesel and electric LHDs with similar bucket sizes. The results show the possible energy savings and a decrease in CO2 emissions when using electric LHDs instead of diesel ones. The thesis also presents a study of the effects of ore pass loss on LHD operations and on the mine production. Maintaining the production with a lower number of operational ore pass structures by increasing the number of LHDs can have a negative effect on the production. This is because an increased number of LHDs in operation will results in increased waiting times for the LHDs and cause variations in the production rate. These variations can be large, causing severe consequences if not managed correctly. The results also show the importance of developing alternative plans for underground loading and hauling operations in case of an ore pass loss. Transportation of rock, especially when mining depth increases, is often associated with high costs and long transportation times. To decrease the amount of unnecessary rock transportation, near-to-face sorting plants may be one alternative. In the thesis, a study was performed on a possible reduction in rock mass transportation to the surface when using this technique. The results conclude that near-to-face sorting plants could lower the environmental effects generated by unnecessary rock transportation to the surface

Selection of Discrete Event Simulation Software for Simulating Mining Operations

Simulation is a tool that can be used to predict and evaluate the performance of mining systems. It has been used for various applications such as fleet optimization in underground mining, comparison of timing and efficiency between drills, and mine-to-mill production systems. Due to the availability of a large number of simulation tools, careful selection should be made depending on the type of problem to be simulated. The study presented in this paper aims to compare two different simulation tools, AutoMod and SimMine, by comparing the two underground loading models created. This is achieved by analysing different equipment alternatives for possible future conditions when the mine depth increases. Both tools produce statistically equivalent results for simulated production. The paper presents a discussion regarding the choice of software and based on the study, SimMine is recommended for easy, fast modelling, whereas AutoMod, with its wider palette of software features and facilities provided, is recommended for more enhanced and detailed mining simulations. The study is based on the mining operation in the Kiirunavaara underground mine in Sweden, and the simulation is conducted based on a fixed production target.Godkänd;2023;Nivå 0;2023-10-06 (hanlid);Funding: EU 7th framework programI2 Mine projec

Production rate comparison using different Load-Haul-Dump fleet configurations: Case study from Kiirunavaara Mine

Godkänd; 2015; 20151001 (barska

Alternative fleet configuration for Malmberget mine

This report is part of the work done by Luleå University of Technology within the EU 7th framework project I2Mine, Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Sustainable and Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future. The work is performed within work package 2 Novel mining and underground processing methods, subtask 2.1.1 Novel mining methods and processes for deep, steeply dipping orebodies.För godkännande; 2015; 20150526 (barska)I2Mine, Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Intelligent Deep Mine of the Futur

Future loading system at Kiirunavaara underground mine

This report is part of the work done by Luleå University of Technology within the EU 7th framework project I2Mine, Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Sustainable and Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future. The work is performed within work package 2 Novel mining and underground processing methods, subtask 2.1.1 Novel mining methods and processes for deep, steeply dipping orebodies.Godkänd; 2015; 20150526 (barska)Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future, I2Min

Introducing a sorting plant in the Kristineberg mine : an analysis of the effects on production

This report is part of the work done by Luleå University of Technology within the EU 7th framework project I2Mine, Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Sustainable and Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future. The work is performed within work package 2 Novel mining and underground processing methods, subtask 2.1.1 Novel mining methods and processes for deep, steeply dipping orebodies. Reaching the ore bodies that are located at greater depths require extensive transportation systems. The transported ore before being refined contains not only minerals that can be economically extracted from the production face but also waste. To reduce the amount of transporting unnecessary material up to the surface near to face sorting plant has been introduced. In this study near to face sorting plant was integrated in the simulation model that was based on one of the Boliden’s cut and fill mines for possible enhancement of the currentand future transportation systems to reduce the unnecessary amount of mass movement upstream. In this study discrete event simulation was used to study and analyse the mass movement before and after near to face sorter implementation. The paper shows the effects on the production rate and distribution of rock mass in the underground mine. When miningoperations will continue to reach greater depths, utilizing sorting technique would be advantageous, as it enables to leave the waste behind, hence reduces the costs necessary for transporting and processing unnecessary material further upstream. Taking into consideration the sorting plant speeds equal to or higher than 70 tph, the sorting plant was able to maintain the speed of the simulated production. If the sorting plant will maintain the speed at 30 tph during the simulation it was not possible to fulfil the yearly production blasting plan. In cases of necessary stockpiling of the material in front of the sorting plant, some of the material would have to bypass the sorting plant and be transported up via hoisting system with the rest of the ore. However, further studies with regards to the feasibility of the pre-concentration and integration issues should be addressed