Automation in Mining

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Automation in Mining
By Hamish Sinclair-Ross Id no 9905367D
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Introduction

• For many years the manufacturing and mineral
  processing industries have realised the
  considerable benefits to be gained from
  automation. Similar opportunities are now
  available to the mining industry through the
  development and implementation of appropriate
  automation technologies.
• A key objective of automation in mining is to
  remove people from hazardous working environments
  by providing them with the tools to operate
  equipment safely and efficiently from a remote
  location. Hazardous areas include those in close
  proximity to mining equipment and unstable
  ground. Once the operator is removed to a remote
  location then the risk of injury or death is
  eliminated.
• Automation also brings economic benefits from
  increased equipment use, reduced maintenance
  costs, increased production and improved product
  quality. The overall result is lower unit
  production costs, which can lead to lower cut-off
  grades and expanded ore reserves.

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Types of automation

• Remote/tele LHD
• Sensors

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Remote/tele LHD

• The tele mucking unit is the fastest growing
  automation being utilized in the mining industry.
  
• It is being used in mines to replace manned
  mucking units in the extraction of blasted ore.
• There are two ways that the LHD unit can be
  remotely controlled.
• 1) Tele remote
• 2) Set of controls that can be
  operated in line
  of sight at the stope.
• (note subject elaborated on below)

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Technology
Figure 1

• Machine automation control system
• - allows comprehensive control on all operation

Figure 2

• Sensors present on automated
• LHD unit
• (note elaborated in notes below)

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Other similar automations

• The remote drill rig is also being utilised in
  the mining process
• It has a similar setup to the Automated LHD unit,
  but there are more cameras set up to monitor the
  unit.
• New technology enables unit to drill out
  specified blast hole patterns by analysing the
  location of the toe of previous blast holes.

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2) Sensors

• Sensors allow full automation of units be
  receiving and transmitting info at high speeds
• Sensors present on the unit must mesh together to
  simultaneously to allow full control at all times
• Navigation is important and sensors can be set up
  to automatically guide the unit with minimal
  human interaction.
• Sensors can be linked to monitor airflow, heat,
  electricity etc in the whole mine as well as
  provide positioning of personal for safety
  purposes.

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Guidance and navigation

• Units can be fully automated during transition
  from one point to another via a light track
• Sensors on the unit pick up the light trail and
  guide the unit accordingly.
• This allows one person to simultaneously operate
  multiple units.
• (note elaborated on in notes)

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Comprehensive automation

• Sensors can be set up to monitor all support
  equipment in the mine ie vent fans and pumps
• Can be used to determine where faults have
  occurred thus allowing speedy diagnosis of
  problems
• Can also be used to monitor personal and unit
  movement in the mine.
• (note elaborated on in notes)

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Disadvantages of automation
Figure 1 tele-mucker in collapsed stope

• Lack of control
• Lack of human senses
• Potential for damage high
• More to repair
• Loss of jobs
• (note elaborated on in notes)

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Conclusion

• Telemining technology and techniques offer a
  number of positive benefits and some unique
  engineering challenges. Many areas will be
  impacted by robotic mining techniques. Some of
  the impacts include
• -increased safety
• -increased worker productivity
• -increased equipment utilization
• -more effective time management
• -reduced need for maintenance
• -faster reaction to engineering and maintenance
  issues
• -improved mine cash flows
• -improved throughput times
• (note elaborated on in notes)

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References

• CSIRO Mining Automation, Accessed online,
  22/04/02, http//www.cat.csiro.au/automation/
• Automated Mining Systems, Robominer, accessed
  online, 22/04/02, http//www.robominer.com
• What is Telemining? Accessed online, 21/04/02
• http//www.telemining.net