Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
3:05 PM
Automatic Creation of Ore-selection and Blast Polygons Using
Clustering Algorithms
M. Tabesh and H. Askari; Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
There are multiple stages in a mining operation that a mining engineer has to
draw polygons to be used as operation guidelines. These polygons are drawn by
hand and based on engineers experience. However, having automatic procedures
for forming the shapes can increase the quality and decrease the efforts required.
Long-term planning needs large polygons that can be used as mining cuts. On the
other hand, short-term planning requires mineable shapes to be used as mining
faces. These shapes need to be homogenous in grades and rock types so that the
quality and dilution of material sent to the plant can be estimated with the good
approximation. In addition, blast patterns have to be formed with regular shapes,
pre-determined mining width and based on the direction of mining. To satisfy
these needs, a clustering algorithm with shape control is introduced which can
provide reasonable guidelines for all the aforementioned shapes by manipulating
its parameters. At the end, implementations of the algorithm on a real gold deposit
with different mining strategies is presented and evaluated based on homogeneity
of grade, rock types and determined destinations as well as the shape.
3:25 PM
Improvement of Mine and Ore Processing Efficiency Using
Quantitative Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for Prediction
of Mineral Parameters
D. Shiley; SummitCAL Solutions Team, ASD, Inc., Boulder, CO
Near Infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy has been used to identify key alteration
minerals in the spectral signature of rock and ore samples. This qualitative
approach is used to help identify ore body boundaries and to create block models.
Once a mine begins to operate, the need to refine the block model to include
quantitative information on mineralogy or metallurgical parameters becomes
necessary to allow for more efficient mine operation. Application of multivariate
modeling techniques combining NIR spectra with mineralogy or metallurgical
properties allows for true quantitative prediction of these mineral properties.
Typically clays and other alteration minerals can be readily identified using NIR.
This information is used to improve mine and ore efficiency, and predictions
based on NIR models are typically used to optimize short-term planning and
scheduling at mine sites.
3:45 PM
Making Better and More Reliable Mine Plans and Understanding
New Mine Engineering Tools Applications
B. Perez; Solutions & Innovation, Newmont Mining Corporation,
Denver, CO
This is a paper that describes the implementation of new tools for mining engineers
in Ghana. The goal was to use new tools available to make more reliable
mine plans. An exercise to make a good transition from the strategic mine plan to
the short term planning with and acceptable level of detailed that let mine engineers
to understand the challenges and possible opportunities to improve the operation
of a gold mine in Ghana. In this paper are described opportunities and
challenges of the implementation of new tools that increase engineers skills.
Those tools are used to change mine plans to achieve production and goals. those
new planning tools let mine engineer later on to inter-connect them to give the answer
to different what-if questions in mine planning that add value to the entire
mine operation.
4:05 PM
The Relationship Between Rockmass, Blasting and End Product in
a Large Porphyry Copper Mine
A. Steciuk 1 and L. Goodhue 2 ; 1 Technical Services, Orica Canada Inc,
Williams Lake, BC, Canada and 2 Mine Engineering, Taseko Limited,
McLeese Lake, BC, Canada
As part of the Mine to Mill initiatives that are currently taking place at a
Porphyry Copper Mine in Canada, the relationship between rockmass characteristics,
drill/blast parameters and downstream processing requirements are currently
being explored with an end goal of increased mill throughput and optimum
waste fragmentation. The data management within the Mine to Mill system
has been designed in such a way that it will provide immediate and continuous
feedback through automated processes that evaluate and relate data from multiple
sources. Drill technology has enabled domain definition and blastability projections.
Automated dig face image capture technology on shovels provides georeferenced
images for fragmentation analysis. This data is imported into a block
model to enable comparison of each parameter that gives the ability to measure
project success and a way forward. To date, an increase in mill throughput beyond
its historic rates has been realized. This trend is expected to continue. With
a mill expansion currently underway, the mine has invested in new technology to
produce a highly optimized product to the mill that will sustain this low grade deposit
into the future.
4:25 PM
An Integrated Model for Oil Sands Long-term Mine Planning,
Tailings and Reclamation Plans
M. Badiozamani Tari and H. Askari; Civil & Environmental Engineering,
school of mining and petroleum engineering, University of
Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Tailings is among the most concerning issues in oil sands mining. The current approach
is to develop tailings and reclamation plans separately from mine plan.
The goal of this research is to develop an integrated optimization framework that
links long-term mine planning to tailings and reclamation plans. The optimization
model maximizes net present value and minimizes reclamation material
handling cost. In addition to typical mine planning constraints, the model includes
tailings capacity and quality constraints. Moreover, material requirement
for site reclamation is considered in the proposed model. Clark Hot Water
Extraction method for bitumen extraction is investigated to formulate tailings
volumetric calculations based on a sample process flow sheet from Suncor. A
mixed integer linear programming model is developed to find the optimal mine
production schedule that will honor the tailings and reclamation constraints. The
proposed model is coded in MatlabÆ and run with CPLEX. It is verified by testing
on real-case data sets. Results show that the optimal mine plan meets tailings
capacity and different materials required for site decommissioning in each period
are provided.
SMe research committee:
SMe exhibitors: Focus on Innovation II
2:00PM • Tuesday, February 26
chairs: Madan M. Singh, Singh Associates LLC.,
Scottsdale, AZ
S. A. Ravishankar, Cytec Industries Inc.,
Stamford, CT
SME Exhibiting companies will highlight advances and innovations that are
being introduced to the mining/mineral processing business. During the 2013
Annual Meeting we will feature presentations from those selected.
1. CleanWaveSM IDP – Mobile Water Treatment Solutions for the
Mining Industry
By Charles Landis and RK Brown
Water management problems in the mining industry range from complex water
chemistries, broad variations in flow rates, compressed operational footprints,
and excessive sludge generation. The CleanWave solution fills the need for relatively
rapid treatments (>4000gpm) and targets typical suites of metals, TSS,
TDS and anionic suites (i.e. sulfates).
2. Data Collection and Analysis for Drilling & Blasting
By Don Thompson
DBS is a drill and blast design and management software package that has the
power to integrate all drill and blast design, management analysis and reporting
into one central database. This allows the drill and blast engineer to compare expected
with actual results in order to continuously improve the mining process.
3. New Hydrocyclone Design
By Pam Welty and Mark Davis
GIW's straightforward tie-bolt and clamp design is a breeze to install and maintain.
It has significantly longer wear life and shorter maintenance times than traditional
hydrocyclones.
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.