Continuing this weeks focus on the research themes of Australia’s Minerals Down Under Flagship, we turn to its development of a new generation of cost-effective and often remotely controlled mining technologies to help convert currently sub-economic resources into reserves and improve the profitability of existing low-grade reserves while improving mine safety and reducing the mining footprint.Telerobotic control systems – A telerobotic system for a rockbreaker has been completed, with some of the concepts demonstrated in the project now being commercialised. Telerobotic control of a shiploader has begun operating in trial mode to test its functionality while operators are trained and the technology is adjusted as required to become a fully operational system. Novel applications of sensor technology provide the remote operator with perceptions and information beyond what can be obtained by a manual operator located on the shiploader.

Vehicle and production location tracking – Components of the Wireless Ad hoc System for Positioning (WASP) localisation technology were tested in an underground operating environment and achieved an accuracy greater than would be required for the intended application.

Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) – A previously intractable limitation to the practical application of SLAM has been resolved and the technology has been licensed and used commercially. The system is able to generate accurate maps from a mobile platform travelling through a range of terrains. In one application the only sensor required is a scanning laser, with the vehicle’s position and a map of its route generated from the data.

Large Open Pit (LOP) – An extension to the LOP project has been approved by the sponsors. The first stage of the project has already published a handbook that outlines new global standards and software for the design of pit slopes that takes account of geology and hydrogeology. This improves the confidence in slope design so that steeper slopes can be used with lower risk.

New rock drilling bits – CSIRO has established projects with a global drill supplier to develop a new small format bit. It has also established separate projects with an Australian SME to develop a large format rock-drilling bit based on SMART*CUT thermally stabilised diamond composite technology. Negotiations are underway with another supplier to develop a SMART*CUT coring bit.

Deep Exploration Technology CRC – CSIRO, in a collaboration led by AMIRA, played a central role in the establishment of this new Cooperative Research Centre (CRC). Mining company participants include: Barrick Gold Australia; BHP Billiton Olympic Dam; Boart Longyear; Newcrest Operations; Goldfields Australia and Vale Exploration. Research participants include: University of Adelaide; Curtin University of Technology and University of Western Australia. Government surveys include: Department of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia with each of the State surveys and Geoscience Australia involved. There are also a large number of affiliate participants.

Financial impact – A rock cutting method to replace drilling and blasting for accessing orebodies and for the selective mining of gold ore from high grade, vein-style deposits offers potential savings of A$8 to A$10 billion over a 15-year period (2015 to 2030) and will increase reserves by lowering mining costs.