Emerging Technologies for Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Energy and Mineral Industries

The Fourth Industrial Revolution provides new ways in which technology can become embedded within societies and even the human body [...

Interdisciplinary Studies for Sustainable Mining

Mining is an essential sector for economic development, as it provides valuable resources that are crucial for modern living

Recent Advances in Geographic Information System for Earth Sciences

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based technology and methodology for collecting, managing, analyzing, modeling, and presenting geospatial data for a wide range of applications [...

Sustainable Development of Abandoned Mine Areas Using Renewable Energy Systems: A Case Study of the Photovoltaic Potential Assessment at the Tailings Dam of Abandoned Sangdong Mine, Korea

As mineral resources are depleted, most mines are typically abandoned and left unattended, resulting in serious social problems that impede sustainable development of these areas. The mining industry has recently introduced the use of renewable energy systems to solve the problems. This study assessed the photovoltaic (PV) potential of an abandoned mine tailings dam at the Sangdong mine in South Korea. A regional shading analysis and field investigations indicated that the usable area for installing the PV system was 44,220 m2. The design capacity of the system was 3 MW considering the space available for the PV array. Power generation was simulated by inputting data about the hourly weather, system design, and a site assessment into System Advisor Model software. Simulation results indicated that 3509 MWh of electricity could be generated annually. Moreover, economic feasibility analysis, assuming a 20 year project period, confirmed that the net present value of the PV systems would be $1,903,000 USD. Therefore, installing a 3 MW PV system on the mine tailings dam at the Sangdong mine is feasible and could provide an efficient option for sustainable development of the abandoned mine land

Solar Power System Planning and Design

With growing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, the security of conventional energy supplies, and the environmental safety of conventional energy production techniques, renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly important and are receiving much political attention [...

A New GIS-Based Algorithm to Support Initial Transmitter Layout Design in Open-Pit Mines

In this paper, a new geographic information systems (GIS)-based algorithm is proposed for supporting the initial design of a wireless communications system in open-pit mines. In this algorithm, multiple candidate transmitter (wireless access point) locations are selected considering the probability of further development and environmental factors in the mine. Then, a three-dimensional (3D) partial Fresnel zone between the transmitter and the receiver is defined and its 3D Fresnel index calculated by communication viewshed analysis of topographic data. The initial design for a transmitter layout is then determined based on the 3D Fresnel indices, which are calculated for all candidate transmitter locations. The proposed algorithm was applied to an open-pit mine located in Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea. The 3D Fresnel indices were calculated for 15 candidate transmitter locations, and an initial transmitter layout then designed considering favorable combinations of two, three, and four transmitters. The proposed algorithm provided more precise Fresnel index overlay maps for the favorable transmitter candidate combinations than other algorithms based on line-of-sight and two-dimensional partial Fresnel zone analyses. Application of the algorithm to an open-pit mine where a wireless communications system is already installed revealed that the initial transmitter layout design is acceptable in terms of providing reasonable information on the coverage area of transmitters. Because the proposed algorithm provides an initial transmitter layout that can be modified after field investigations, it can support efficient design of wireless communications systems for use in open-pit mines

Bluetooth Beacon-Based Mine Production Management Application to Support Ore Haulage Operations in Underground Mines

In this study, a mine production management application (app) using a Bluetooth beacon and tablet PC was developed to support the efficient operation of an underground mine loading-transport system. The app receives signals from the Bluetooth beacons attached to major loading points and crushing sites through the tablet PC mounted on the truck and records the time the signals were received as well as the location of the truck. In addition, when the tablet PC receives the signal from the Bluetooth beacon, the truck driver can select and input information such as loading point, ore type, and dumping method on the tablet PC screen. Data recorded on the tablet PC during the haulage operation are automatically transmitted to the cloud server when the truck arrives in a wireless communication area. The cloud server continuously stores and manages data transmitted from multiple trucks equipped with tablet PCs. The performance test was conducted by using the system developed for a limestone underground mine located in Jeongseon, Korea. Results confirmed that the information related to ore production in the field could be effectively collected and managed, and the efficiency of production management could be improved

Analysis of the Potential for Use of Floating Photovoltaic Systems on Mine Pit Lakes: Case Study at the Ssangyong Open-Pit Limestone Mine in Korea

Recently, the mining industry has introduced renewable energy technologies to resolve power supply problems at mines operating in polar regions or other remote areas, and to foster substitute industries, able to benefit from abandoned sites of exhausted mines. However, little attention has been paid to the potential placement of floating photovoltaic (PV) systems operated on mine pit lakes because it was assumed that the topographic characteristics of open-pit mines are unsuitable for installing any type of PV systems. This study analyzed the potential of floating PV systems on a mine pit lake in Korea to break this misconception. Using a fish-eye lens camera and digital elevation models, a shading analysis was performed to identify the area suitable for installing a floating PV system. The layout of the floating PV system was designed in consideration of the optimal tilt angle and array spacing of the PV panels. The System Advisor Model (SAM) by National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA, was used to conduct energy simulations based on weather data and the system design. The results indicated that the proposed PV system could generate 971.57 MWh/year. The economic analysis (accounting for discount rate and a 20-year operational lifetime) showed that the net present value would be $897,000 USD, and a payback period of about 12.3 years. Therefore, we could know that the economic effect of the floating PV system on the mine pit lake is relatively higher than that of PV systems in the other abandoned mines in Korea. The annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was analyzed and found to be 471.21 tCO2/year, which is twice the reduction effect achieved by forest restoration of an abandoned mine site. The economic feasibility of a floating PV system on a pit lake of an abandoned mine was thus established, and may be considered an efficient reuse option for abandoned mines

Sustainable Development of Abandoned Mine Areas Using Renewable Energy Systems: A Case Study of the Photovoltaic Potential Assessment at the Tailings Dam of Abandoned Sangdong Mine, Korea

As mineral resources are depleted, most mines are typically abandoned and left unattended, resulting in serious social problems that impede sustainable development of these areas. The mining industry has recently introduced the use of renewable energy systems to solve the problems. This study assessed the photovoltaic (PV) potential of an abandoned mine tailings dam at the Sangdong mine in South Korea. A regional shading analysis and field investigations indicated that the usable area for installing the PV system was 44,220 m2. The design capacity of the system was 3 MW considering the space available for the PV array. Power generation was simulated by inputting data about the hourly weather, system design, and a site assessment into System Advisor Model software. Simulation results indicated that 3509 MWh of electricity could be generated annually. Moreover, economic feasibility analysis, assuming a 20 year project period, confirmed that the net present value of the PV systems would be $1,903,000 USD. Therefore, installing a 3 MW PV system on the mine tailings dam at the Sangdong mine is feasible and could provide an efficient option for sustainable development of the abandoned mine land

Comparative Study on Shading Database Construction for Urban Roads Using 3D Models and Fisheye Images for Efficient Operation of Solar-Powered Electric Vehicles

Accounting for shadows on urban roads is a complex task in the operation of solar-powered electric vehicles. There have been few opportunities to compare the methods and tools for the construction of an effective shading database for urban roads. This study quantitatively investigated and compared shading matrices generated from 3D models or fisheye images. Skymaps were formed considering the geometry of nearby shading obstructions. Sun-path diagrams tracking the position of the sun by time and season were overlaid on the skymaps, and month-by-hour shading matrices were calculated. Mean squared error (MSE) was used to clarify the quantitative differences between the shading matrices. The cases were divided into A, B, and C according to the presence of buildings and trees around the survey points. Under case A (trees), case B (buildings and trees), and case C (buildings), the average MSEs between the matrices were 24.5%, 23.9%, and 2.1%, respectively. The shading matrices using either 3D models or fisheye images provided accurate shading effects caused by buildings. In contrast, the shading effects of trees were more accurately analyzed when using fisheye images. The findings of this study provide a background for constructing shading databases of urban road environments for the optimal operation of solar-powered electric vehicles