African Mining May 2023 | Page 37

CRADLE TO GRAVE •

De Beers has devised an autonomous mining roadmap for its Venetia Underground Mine ( VUG ) that will – once fully implemented – result in the new USD2-billion mine becoming one of the most mechanised and automated mining operations in the world .

The VUG replaces openpit operations at the Venetia Diamond Mine and extends mine life to at least 2046 . Expected to start production within 2023 , it will use the sub-level cave mining method .

According to Giel Marais , principal Automation & Information at De Beers , the objective in terms of automation at the VUG is to have a number of autonomous mining systems performing multiple mining processes by 2027 .

“ This is an ambitious goal but we believe achievable given the major technological advances made in recent years , particularly by the Original Equipment Manufacturers ( OEMs ) who produce underground mining machines ,” he says . “ In the case of the VUG , our primary technology partner is Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions , which manufactures a full range of ‘ intelligent ’ mining machines that can operate independently underground within access controlled safety zones or be remotely operated from control rooms on surface .”

Freddie Breed , Underground Technical Services manager at De Beers , points out that the group has previous experience of autonomous mining . “ De Beers commissioned the first – and only – automated trucking loop in South Africa , and one of the first worldwide , at the Finsch diamond mine in the Northern Cape in 2005 ,” he says .

An operator programming the Sandvik DD422i drill rig machine ahead of a blast underground .

All photos by De Beers Group

Marais notes that while the Finsch system was revolutionary , it was also limited in some respects . “ The system was limited to one machine type – articulated dump trucks ( ADTs ) – performing one process , namely hauling , on a single level of the mine ,” he explains . “ By contrast , at the VUG we will eventually have a number of mining systems operational , with a variety of machines , not just ADTs , executing multiple mining processes within the same operational area . These systems will be deployed and operating simultaneously during a shift on different levels of the mine .”

The Sandvik DD422i is a development drill rig based on an intelligent control system and engineered to provide top-level performance , accuracy and reliability for underground mine development .

The implementation of automation at the VUG will be carefully phased in on an incremental basis starting with automated machines ( which still require an onboard operator , although many functions are automated ). Next to be introduced will be autonomous machines ( which do not require an onboard operator as they are equipped with automated machine navigation and tramming and can perform – while stationary in one location – most sets of routine functions without operator input required during the cycle ). The final phase of implementation will see the introduction of full autonomous mining systems .

The key characteristic of autonomous mining systems is the use of multiple autonomous machines which are managed by an integrated central traffic management system . The machines operate in predefined safety zones that are dynamically combined to create autonomous operating areas .

Autonomous mining not only creates a safer and healthier environment for workers ( by removing them from potential high-

Underground mine simulators are used in training programmes .

risk areas of the mine ) but , if implemented correctly , is also more productive than traditional techniques when measured in terms of output against available operating time .

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is supplying all the primary mining equipment for the VUG for both mine development and production . This includes machines for development and