WORLD PROSPECTS
build and manage complex models comprising many different geological events sequenced within a timeline. These timelines and the geological events within them may be built as a package, and easily updated and rebuilt as new data becomes available. Knowledge of a deposit’ s structural evolution will help a geologist sequence and reorganise geological events in the timeline area to create perfectly clipped surface and solids representing their interpretation of the deposit. These complex models are airtight, and may be used as a basis for domain creation when transitioning to the resource block model phase. GeoLogic supports the ability to name and save models and their parameter sets, and to use and update them in the future.
GeoLogic allows users to maximise field data information by combining surface mapping point, downhole data point, and downhole and surface orientation to create realistic surfaces and solids. The Potential Field method expands on the existing implicit modeling functionality. The potential field data consists of a collection of direction vectors that can come from a variety of sources( downhole or surface strike / dip data, for example). This data will influence the shape of the fitted surface or solid and will allow for more accurate modelling of geological structures. www. hexagonmining. com
Metso Metrics drives digital analytics
As part of its Life Cycle Services offering for the mining and aggregates industry, Metso is now introducing a new digital solution to help further optimise mobile crushing and screening equipment operations and maintenance. Metso Metrics Services is another step in Metso’ s digital development, leveraging the possibilities offered by advanced analytics and cloud-based technologies. The new service was launched at CONEXPO- CON / AGG in Las Vegas, March 7-11, 2017.
Mobile crushers frequently move between sites, making it challenging to track, monitor and maintain a fleet of equipment for maximum performance. Through a remote communication device mounted on a mobile equipment, Metso Metrics Services provides a dashboard view of critical operational and maintenance data – from utilisation rates to production levels and
Rajant further outlined its underground offering in a recent interview with IM. Network solutions for underground and above ground have key differences – underground networks are much more difficult to design due to the cramped conditions; meaning it is not possible to have unhindered wave fronts, and therefore multiple hops( using nodes) are needed as well as repeaters on equipment, to deliver the networks that modern underground operations need in areas where permanent fibre optics are not going to be installed. Rajant says with its Breadcrumb technology it is in an ideal position to fill this market; with the ability to successfully implement 17 or more nodes( proven already) though many more are theoretically possible; and underground networks can consist of 100s of nodes. The key is that they are easily movable to the next active development or mining front and allow uninterrupted communications. A very important point is also that Rajant nodes operate on multiple different frequencies all the time in multiple directions, meaning that there are multiple paths for the data, unlike other network options that see data restricted to just a few routes. Rajant has no single point of failure.
Rajant told IM that some years ago it did fuel consumption. With secured access, the solution allows for data-driven decisions that impact crushing operations.
“ Making the most out of the assets depends on data you can trust: Having the right information at the right time helps customers make important operational or maintenance decisions to improve uptime as well as utilisation and production rates. Metso Metrics Services is designed to collect and provide this crucial data in one easy-to-use interface. Combined with the expertise of Metso’ s network for troubleshooting or optional assistance with analysis, the solution provides tools for continuous improvement, both in performance as well as safety and sustainability,” says Giuseppe Campanelli, Vice President, Service Solutions at Metso.
Metso Metrics Services helps to identify
Rajant’ s multiple paths
develop an intrinsically safe network for coal mines that worked well, but the driver for network development now is automation as well as open pits transitioning into complex underground operations. Despite the fact that underground sensor networks are today brought together efficiently by an integrator, which may include combining video, LiDAR, radar, and other technologies, the data produced needs to be available instantly and analysed to allow the operator to make decisions back in a remote operations centre. And with automation and the safety aspects involved, network reliability is even
underperforming assets and training opportunities, as well as to control maintenance and inventory costs. With the equipment maintenance plan integrated into the solution, plant operators can stay on top of their equipment’ s needs – making it easier to anticipate change-outs of spares and wears.“ Metso Metrics is an excellent example of how we can help our customers take their operations to the next level with digitalisation,” Campanelli concludes. www. metso. com
more critical. An example is autonomous vehicle to vehicle comms for recognition and collision avoidance, where maintaining connectivity is vital, something Rajant systems are very good at. And of course the vehicles themselves act as repeaters. The power of Rajant systems underground in terms of data handling also extends to combining
Screenshot from Rajant BC | Enterprise showing mine wireless network performance
6 International Mining | APRIL 2017