Hexagon’s Mining division says it has strengthened its leadership in production material monitoring and measurement by introducing HxGN MineMeasure Detect, a 3D camera hardware, software and data solution.

MineMeasure Detect enables real-time optimisation for plant production with automated digital-image analysis that offers continuous, accurate and rapid measurement of oversize, volume, rock fragmentation and colour analysis, the company says.

The solution has already been trialled at the Pinto Valley copper mine, in the US, owned by Capstone Mining.

Mines demand consistent, predictable, high-volume production with plants intended to operate 24/7, it explained. Changing geologic mineral and structural conditions within mining benches can sometimes mean oversize particles block crushers, chutes and conveyors. Blockages can halt operations, in severe cases resulting in lost operational revenues worth millions of dollars.

MineMeasure Detect minimises production interruptions and costly downtime with oversize detection of large particles, according to Hexagon’s Mining division. It enhances production efficiencies and reconciliation by calculating volume, density and tonnage. Advanced detection reveals an aggregate of previously unmeasured ancillary variables, such as material density and hardness, which are essential to throughput maximisation and ore liberation.

The company added: “The solution’s fragmentation analysis capabilities enable continuous monitoring and improvement of production throughput while managing costs. Industry-leading research and proven algorithms for direct measurements of particle identification and fines identification set MineMeasure Detect apart for its measurement accuracy in mineral processing. It includes the largest set of data availability applied across the international mining industry.

“Colour-analysis data for ore detection empowers operators with additional opportunities to adjust material handling, material blending, clay detection and ore treatment recipes.”

James Dampney, VP-MineMeasure, Hexagon’s Mining division, said: “MineMeasure Detect is built on more than 25 years’ experience partnering with international mining operations, allowing systems to be fully integrated with customer technologies. Combined with our fragmentation tools, the solution’s immediate detection capabilities offer a critical early warning for operators to avoid catastrophic production stoppages.

“With its image-analysis techniques ensuring that fragmentation is managed and optimised, MineMeasure Detect fits seamlessly in the MineMeasure portfolio, which delivers scrutiny and transparency in every step of the ore extraction journey.”

To see HxGN MineMeasure Detect in action at Capstone Copper’s Pinto Valley Mine, click here.