scholarly journals Temporal-Spatial Frequency Rockfall Data from Open-Pit Highwalls Using a Low-Cost Monitoring System

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 2459
Author(s):  
Anna Giacomini ◽  
Klaus Thoeni ◽  
Marina Santise ◽  
Fabrizio Diotri ◽  
Shaun Booth ◽  
...  

In surface mining, rockfall can seriously threaten the safety of personnel located at the base of highwalls and cause serious damage to equipment and machinery. Close-range photogrammetry for the continuous monitoring of rock surfaces represents a valid tool to efficiently assess the potential rockfall hazard and estimate the risk in the affected areas. This work presents an autonomous terrestrial stereo-pair photogrammetric monitoring system developed to observe volumes falling from sub-vertical rock faces located in surface mining environments. The system has the versatility for rapid installation and quick relocation in areas often constrained by accessibility and safety issues and it has the robustness to tolerate the rough environmental conditions typical of mining operations. It allows the collection of synchronised images at different periods with high-sensitivity digital single-lens reflex cameras, producing accurate digital surface models (DSM) of the rock face. Comparisons between successive DSMs can detect detachments and surface movements during defined observation periods. Detailed analysis of the changes in the rock surface, volumes and frequency of the rocks dislodging from the sub-vertical rock surfaces can provide accurate information on event magnitude and return period at very reasonable cost and, therefore, can generate the necessary data for a detailed inventory of the rockfall spatial-temporal occurrence and magnitude. The system was first validated in a trial site, and then applied on a mine site located in NSW (Australia). Results were analysed in terms of multi-temporal data acquired over a period of seven weeks. The excellent detail of the data allowed trends in rockfall event to be correlated to lithology and rainfall events, demonstrating the capability of the system to generate useful data that would otherwise require extended periods of direct observation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 303 ◽  
pp. 01029
Author(s):  
Alexander Katsubin ◽  
Victor Martyanov ◽  
Milan Grohol

Information about the geological structure of Kuznetsky coal basin (Kuzbass) allows us to note that coal deposits developed by open-cast method are characterized by complicated conditions and have the following features: large length of deposits at significant depths of occurrence; coal series bedding of different thicknesses (from 1 to 40 m); different dip angles (from 3 to 90º); a significant number of dip and direction disturbances; different thickness of unconsolidated quaternary sediments (from 5 to 40 m); a wide range of strength values of rocks. In addition, there is a thickness irregularity and frequent variability of elements of occurrence of coal seams within the boundaries of a quarry field both in length and depth of mining. From the point of view of open-pit mining, such deposits are complex-structured. The factors listed above have a decisive influence on the choice of technical means, the order of development and the possibility of carrying out surface mining operations. Therefore, there is a need for a systematization of mining and geological conditions for the development of coal deposits, the purpose of which is to ensure a process of evaluation of complex-structured coal deposits for the development of coal-bearing zones by various complexes of equipment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Greg You

Brown coal is young, shallowly deposited, and widely distributed in the world. It is a fuel commonly used to generate electricity. This paper first reviews the resources and characteristics of brown coal in Victoria, Australia, and its exploitation and contribution to the economy or power supply in Victoria. Due to the shallow depth of the brown coal seam, e.g. very favorable stripping ratio, open pit mining is the only mining method used to extract the coal at low cost for power generators. With the large-scale mining operations, cases of batter failure were not rare in the area. From the comprehensive review of past failures, overburden batter tends to fail by circular sliding, coal batter tends to fail by block sliding after the overburden is stripped due to a weak water-bearing layer underneath the coal seam and tension cracks developed at the rear of the batter, and batter failure is typically coincided with peak raining seasons. Secondly, the paper reviews the case study of Maddingley Brown Coal (MBC) Open Cut Mine batter stability, including geology, hydrogeology, and hydro-mechanically coupled numerical modelling. The modelling employs three-dimensional finite element method to simulate the MBC northern batter where cracks were observed in November 2013. The comprehensive simulation covers an overburden batter, a brown coal batter, two rainfall models, and a buttressed batter. The simulated results agree well with observed data, and it is found that the rainfall at the intensity of 21mm substantially lowered the factor of safety of the coal batter.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2369
Author(s):  
Philip-Mark Spanidis ◽  
Christos Roumpos ◽  
Francis Pavloudakis

Surface mining projects are vulnerable to natural hazards (earthquakes, floods, soil instabilities, and epidemic crises) which constitute the primary source of risks which affect the mining operations. In the framework of sustainable planning and development of such projects, the investigation of risk impacts is essential for taking the appropriate preventive measures before disastrous events appear in a mine. This paper proposes a methodology for the risk assessment of natural hazards in surface mining projects using the triangular Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for the determination of the probability of risk occurrence, combined with the Expected Value (EV) function, the Monte Carlo simulation, and the Program Evaluation Review Technique PERT method for making predictions of cost and time overruns. A case study of a hazardous event with impacts in the operations of a surface mine demonstrates the methodology as a flexible and low-cost tool for mining executives. This tool is useful in the planning stage of pre-disaster management projects in the mineral industry, considering mine sustainability views. The research work also investigates critical technical and economic aspects.


2020 ◽  

Although most mining companies utilise systems for slope monitoring, experience indicates that mining operations continue to be surprised by the occurrence of adverse geotechnical events. A comprehensive and robust performance monitoring system is an essential component of slope management in an open pit mining operation. The development of such a system requires considerable expertise to ensure the monitoring system is effective and reliable. Written by instrumentation experts and geotechnical practitioners, Guidelines for Slope Performance Monitoring is an initiative of the Large Open Pit (LOP) Project and the fifth book in the Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design series. Its 10 chapters present the process of establishing and operating a slope monitoring system; the fundamentals of pit slope monitoring instrumentation and methods; monitoring system operation; data acquisition, management and analysis; and utilising and communicating monitoring results. The implications of increased automation of mining operations are also discussed, including the future requirements of performance monitoring. Guidelines for Slope Performance Monitoring summarises leading mine industry practice in monitoring system design, implementation, system management, data management and reporting, and provides guidance for engineers, geologists, technicians and others responsible for geotechnical risk management.


Author(s):  
D.Ya. Vladimirov ◽  
A.F. Klebanov ◽  
I.V. Kuznetsov

The The paper addresses the issues of designing onboard systems and complex digitalization of open-pit mining equipment. A generalized schematic diagram and composition of the On-Board Robotic Control System for open-pit equipment (OBRCS OPE) are provided. The option of the On-Board Robotic Control System for mining dump trucks (OBRCS MDT) and schematics of the on-board robotic system of the BELAZ dump truck are described in more detail. A layout option is suggested for an autonomous ready dump truck, a modification that meets all the requirements for the digital transformation (DT) generation of dump trucks i.e. the ability to operate as part of the mine fleet management systems and robotic control systems, as well as the availability of modern on-board industrial safety systems and remote diagnostics. The DT Generation of mining equipment will allow mining companies to achieve the up-to-date level in digital transformation of surface mining operations and will cut the amount of investments required in upgrading the mining transport system.


Author(s):  
Chia-Hsiang Yang ◽  
Andreas Müterthies

Abstract. Monitoring of mining areas and associanted dam stability, has become increasingly important as the awareness of safety and environmental protection is rising. An appropriate monitoring scheme is necessitated to legally activate, reactivate, or terminate mining operations. The project Integrated Mining Impact Monitoring (i2Mon) aims to identify and analyze mining-induced impact, in particular its ground deformation. The monitoring system comprises terrestrial measurement and remote sensing: levelling, GPS, LiDAR scanning, UAV survey, and SAR interferometry. For interpretation and prediction, modelling will be used to simulate local displacements by different factors. The final goal is to launch an interactive GIS-based platform as an early warning and decision making system for mining industry. Currently, the project is proceeding from a preparatory phase. This paper focuses on spaceborne SAR interferometry, whereby we can cost-effectively monitor ground movement at millimeter level over a large area. We introduce the prototype of our InSAR monitoring system. The test result from Sentinel-1 images shows the surface movement during 2018 at a deactivating open-pit coal mine in Germany. We discuss the current status, ongoing works, planned test sites in Poland, and how we integrate data from different sensors and approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
S. Mantey ◽  
M. S. Aduah

Mining operations involve the extraction of minerals of economic value from the earth. In surface mining operations, overburdens need to be stripped in other to reach the ore. Large volumes of waste as well as ore is stripped in the process. Various technologies have been used to aid in stockpile volume estimation. Notable among them are the Total Stations and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). However, labour, safety and time has challenged the use of these technologies. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), commonly known as drone is an emerging technology for stockpile volume computations in the Mine. UAV technology for data collection is less labour intensive, safer and faster. Therefore, this study applied the UAV technology in an open pit to estimate stockpile volumes from a Mine. For the purpose of this study, GPS and UAV data were collected for measuring stockpile volumes of materials mined. The actual volumes of stockpiles A, B, C, D (Case 2), produced differences of 0.05% for A, 0.05% for B, 0.08% for C, 0.07% for D and 0.03% for A, -0.03% for B, 0.03% for C and 0.04% for D, for the GPS-based and the UAV-based techniques, respectively. The GPS-based technique generated moderate accuracies for volume estimation, but was time consuming and labour intensive, compared to the UAV-based technique; which was faster and less labour intensive. The UAV-based technique was the most accurate, safest and is capable of mapping large areas rapidly. It is therefore recommended that UAV survey be incorporated in stockpile volume estimation. Keywords: UAV, GPS, Stockpile, Mine, Total Stations


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
Sayyidjabbor S. Sayyidkasimov ◽  
◽  
Evgeniy N. Belyaev ◽  

Hazardous production facilities at open-pit mines are zones characterized by the presence of natural or man-made factors causing emergencies and life safety threats. When conducting mining operations and processing solid minerals, it is necessary to monitor the condition of sides, trenches, ledges, slopes and dumps, and areas of possible collapses or failures. The monitoring is carried out by the mine surveying de-partment. They conduct instrumental observations of displacement processes, deformations of the earth's surface, buildings, and structures. The stationary benchmarks adapted for attaching stationary reflectors and measuring instruments help to minimize risk factors during instrumental observations. This allows for remote monitoring without the presence of people in danger zones. The automatic remote monitoring system allows for measuring cycles at high speeds and small frequencies, which eliminates errors caused by the human factor. Constantly updated parameters of the monitored object are used to predict the state of the object with a high degree of reliability, prevent accidents or calculate economic indicators of consequences.


Author(s):  
V. V. Agafonov ◽  
V. Yu. Zalyadinov ◽  
M. E. Yusupov ◽  
N. S. Bikteeva

Sustainability of mining companies is of of high concern. The problem is specifically acute at companies that are monotownor monosettlement-forming. Sustainability of a mine depends in many ways on product quality and production resource-intensity. This article discusses formation of mineral quality indexes in terms of an open pit chrysotile mine. The studies took into account specific features of operation procedures implemented by each structural division of the mine. The analysis has found managerial and technological inconsistencies which affect quality and marketable product output, as well as efficiency of the mine in whole. The background for efficiency enhancement at a company is, by the authors’ opinion, consolidation of personnel subject to the single development strategy, namely: improvement of production and control efficiency, as well as use of available reserves and resources by means of better setup for production. The proposed approaches to planning mining operations and forming mineral quality allow higher quality of processing stock. In addition, a new model proposed for interaction between structural divisions of a mining company ensures improvement of general production indexes.


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