Tag Archives: Intelligent Mine

First Ore-Mining looks to VIST’s AI solution for Pavlovskoye lead-zinc development

10th June 2019Automation, Base metals, Communications in mining, IoT, Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining project news, Mining safety, Mining servicesArtificial Intelligence, automation, First Ore-Mining Company, Igor Bogachev, Igor Semenov, Intelligent Mine, lead, Pavlovskoye, Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp, Russia, St Petersburg International Economic Forum, VIST Group, zinc, ZYFRA GroupDaniel Gleeson

First Ore-Mining Company and ZYFRA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could see the Pavlovskoye lead-zinc deposit deploy artificial intelligence-based solutions for mining and processing operations.

Pavlovskoye is set to become the most northerly mine in Russia, once First-Ore, a Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp division, moves ahead with development. It is scheduled to have a 3.5 Mt/y ore processing capacity.

The MoU document was signed at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum by Igor Semenov, Executive Director of First Ore-Mining Company, and Igor Bogachev, CEO of ZYFRA.

Bogachev said: “It is more difficult for companies to operate in extreme climatic conditions because of factors such as the high cost of resources and special work safety regulations. The robotised systems offered by our subsidiary, VIST Group, including Intelligent Mine, will reduce equipment downtime by 10-20% and maintenance costs by 15-18%, thereby cutting production costs by 2-3%.”

Intelligent Mine is a set of digital technologies for managing open-pit mining processes based on robotised lоad and haul systems, together with industry solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. “One of the advantages of the system is that it enables extraction of minerals in inaccessible and remote regions with severe climatic and subsurface conditions,” the digital solutions provider for heavy industries said.

The parties aim to explore a possible project to implement robotics and remote control of quarry equipment at the Pavlovskoye deposit of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. A bilateral working group will be set up within 45 days for this purpose, while the MoU covers a period of three years.

Semenov said: “Rosatom State Corp and First Ore-Mining Company have a strong focus on occupational safety. We are beginning this work in advance, so that the very first ore will be produced using advanced technologies in the safest possible conditions. Cooperation with Zyfra, which has extensive experience in developing digital smart solutions, will help us achieve this.”

Anglo American’s O’Neill gives analysts a taster of hydrogen haulage plan

22nd May 2019Mining equipment, Power supply for mines, Sustainable miningAnglo American, Concentrated Mine, FutureSmart Mining, haul truck, hydrogen haulage, hydrogen power, Intelligent Mine, Modern Mine, Tony O'Neill, Waterless MineDaniel Gleeson

Tony O’Neill, this week, provided analysts with some more detail around Anglo American’s hydrogen haulage plan and how the mining company plans to operate a haul truck on hydrogen power alone within the next 12 months.

O’Neill, the company’s Technical Director, mooted this goal in the company’s 2018 sustainability performance presentation in April, saying that oversizing the photovoltaic (PV) generation capacity at one of its mine sites would allow it to capture enough hydrogen to potentially power a haul truck.

During a roundtable discussion with analysts, O’Neill presented a new graphic of the hydrogen haulage plan (see below), and said the plan, which would see excess hydrogen produced with oversized PV unit capability, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a large site by 30% in the plant and 100% in the trucks.

On top of this, it could increase the truck power by 5% compared with diesel power, provide energy security and price security, allowing the company to move to the “hydrogen economy” and design the “next generation” in mining vehicles.

Anglo American is not the only mining company looking into hydrogen as a fuel source for its operations. Late last year, Fortescue Metals Group signed an agreement with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, to look at hydrogen technologies.

This hydrogen haulage program is just one of several projects the company is pushing forward with as part of its FutureSmart Mining™ technology and innovation initiative. These are focused on the Concentrated Mine™, the Waterless Mine, the Modern Mine and the Intelligent Mine.

NRW Holdings to start work on Rio Tinto’s Koodaideri iron ore project in April

24th January 2019Mineral project development, Mining project news, Mining services, Steel and iron oreIntelligent Mine, Iron ore, Koodaideri, mine contractor, NRW Holdings, Pilbara Blend, Pindan, Rio Tinto, Western AustraliaDaniel Gleeson

NRW Holdings has been awarded a bulk earthworks contract at Rio Tinto’s new ‘Intelligent Mine’, Koodaideri, in the Pilbara of Western Australia.

The A$65 million ($46 million) work of works included bulk earthworks and drainage, the ASX-listed contractor said, adding that it was expected to run for 11 months, commencing on site in April.

Koodaideri is set to deliver a new production hub for Rio’s iron ore business and is 35 km northwest of the Yandicoogina mine in the east Pilbara.

In December, it was announced that Perth-based Pindan will build a 780-room construction camp at Koodaideri as part of a A$45 million contract award.

Construction on Koodaideri Phase 1 will start this year with first production expected in late 2021. Once complete, the $2.6 billion mine will have an annual capacity of 43 Mt, underpinning production of the company’s flagship iron ore product, Pilbara Blend.

In addition to mine infrastructure and the accommodation camp, an airport and mine support facilities will be built. Throughout the construction period, Rio expects to employ over 2,000 people with 600 permanent roles created once the mine is operational.