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MINE AUTOMATION
Q Can you give any examples where Dassault Systèmes has partnered with a mining customer to deliver a virtual twin solution that was part of a more automated mine site ? A couple of practical examples come to mind : the first involving safety improvement practices with immersive visualisation , and the second around mine operations orchestration and optimisation . In the first example , immersive 3D mine visualisation scenarios were able to deliver a realistic virtual 3D model of the asbuilt mining complex , providing a digital environment in which to experience the mine . This 3D virtual environment enabled the miner to review and improve their safety practices including realising training scenarios on how to respond in case of emergencies .
In the second example , we helped a client to simulate in 4D an underground mining operation considering schedule , resources ( machinery , workers ), and design to orchestrate the plan and evaluate its practicality . This provided the client with actionable insights to optimise the operation . The solution provided an integrated environment that generated a robust plan , continuously tracking execution adherence to plan and capable to re-schedule it as and when required to respond to disturbances with predictable results .
Overall , this approach provides a virtual mine environment to fail fast and learn cheaply without any risk to workers safety and physical assets . In this way , optimal procedures and schedules can be confirmed and thoroughly validated in the full context of the environment before mine development activities are initiated . Furthermore , valuable know-how and intellectual property can be captured and retained in the 3D environment for future mine development ( and production ) initiatives . It becomes possible to accurately predict how people and machines will interact in a mine . Such capabilities to simulate and assess these scenarios in detail can help mining companies achieve significant improvements in safety and performance .
Q What role can Dassault Systèmes play in helping mines improve their planning and scheduling to allow for more autonomous operations ? A Dassault Systèmes can play a crucial role in helping mines improve their planning and scheduling , thereby enabling more autonomous operations , thanks to several key
the open architecture / protocols ; proving a commercially ready and available solution ; and influencing the OEMs to adhere to the protocols capabilities provided by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and their applications :
Centralised data management is a core feature of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform , offering a unified repository for geological , operational , and engineering information . This centralisation facilitates access to the most upto-date data for all stakeholders , thereby enhancing the accuracy and consistency of project planning and scheduling . Additionally , the adoption of advanced data analytics within this framework enables mining operations to unearth deeper insights into their processes . By analysing this wealth of information , mines can pinpoint inefficiencies and identify areas where improvements can be made , driving better decision-making and optimizing overall performance .
The ability to run multiple what-if scenarios helps in understanding the potential impacts of different strategies . This is crucial for making informed decisions that optimise resource use and operational efficiency . The platform uses advanced optimisation algorithms to refine mining schedules , taking into account factors such as equipment availability , workforce scheduling , and resource constraints .
By integrating real-time data from sensors and IoT devices , the 3DEXPERIENCE platform ensures that planning and scheduling are based on current operational conditions . This real-time feedback loop helps in making adjustments as needed to maintain efficiency and productivity . Predictive maintenance and operational analytics help anticipate potential issues before they occur , allowing for proactive adjustments in planning and scheduling .
The platform facilitates collaboration between different departments ( eg geology , engineering , operations ), ensuring that all aspects of planning and scheduling are aligned . This holistic approach is essential for effective autonomous operations . By providing a single source of truth , the platform enhances communication with all stakeholders , from onsite personnel to management and external partners .
It also provides tools for continuous monitoring and analysis of operational performance . By tracking key performance indicators ( KPIs ), mines can identify trends and areas for improvement . The ability to adapt plans based on real-time data and feedback ensures that mining operations remain flexible and responsive to changing conditions .
through demand side pressure – or living with reverse engineered drive by wire solutions . But the key benefits are significant – open systems enable new innovations to be deployed to capture incremental value from traditional Level 4 OEM autonomy . It also provides further cost reduction and productivity increase outcomes . Furthermore , it accelerates the ESG drivers for miners through emissions reduction by using electric drives , trolley systems , battery powered and smaller payload trucks .
Back to this truck sizing question – what is the right size for autonomous trucks ? Pyne : “ Taking the three big Pilbara players as an example , they all have the same issues – they have a lot of big mines , they ’ re mining 100s of millions of tonnes of iron ore each year , plus a lot of rail and overland conveying and crushing infrastructure . Rio Tinto is producing over 300 Mt a year alone – so a lot of mineral resources need to be replaced on an annual basis – if you are opening up new mines many 10s of kilometres away from existing operations and infrastructure – what are your options ? Rail and overland conveyors come at a huge cost . But if you have a high speed , Level 5 , autonomous and electrified truck option , that precludes the need for that expensive infrastructure .” Pyne said he had had similar conversations with a mining client in Chile where it had identified potential deposits that were currently not economic with existing scenarios , but with these smaller flexible trucks , they could be .
Smaller trucks also come with other financial benefits such as payload to weight ratio . With a large rigid 200 t truck , for every one tonne of steel you can only carry two tonnes of payload , plus it requires a significant amount of diesel for material haulage . For a smaller 40 to 50 t truck , the ratio works out to be one tonne of steel for four tonnes of payload . Smaller trucks can support more selective mining facilitated by new technologies – with reduced dilution and strip ratio and increased ore recovery . Smaller trucks also allow for narrower haul roads and higher speed longer hauls . With more trucks it also means your production is less affected by breakdowns . On the electrification front , it is still going to be some years until large battery trucks achieve the required productivity in a full fleet sense – with smaller trucks it is likely going to be a reality within the next few years .
Pyne then reviewed some of Wenco ’ s existing projects . Rio Tinto have been quite open they are testing lower profile 50 t Scania trucks at their sites . In this instance , AHS-FMS messages are integrated over the cloud , so Scania can deliver AHS within the cloud based on a combination of sensors but requiring less real time connectivity . Staffed Digging Units are equipped with Wenco High Precision Guidance to spot autonomous trucks . This right-sized autonomous truck project is a collaboration between Rio Tinto , Scania and Wenco that joins together a team of over 300
42 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2024