I2mine - Novel mining methods and processes for deep steeply dipping orebodies
LKAB and Boliden are currently operating 6 deep mines in Europe. The ore extraction in these mines has reached depths of around 1000 m below surface. Mineralisations are proven to depths greater than 1700 m. The situation all around the world is that an increasing number of mines are operation in increasing depths.
Increasing mining depth will influence the overall mining economy with more and more costly transportation of ore, media and personnel. Also, as mining proceed towards greater depths the increased rockstresses results in larger amounts of rock support to maintain stability, and thus ensure a safe working environment in the mines. To meet the increasing costs for stability and safety the production has to be made more efficiently and optimized. Mining processes that decrease the volume of waste rock would reduce cost both based on volume but also for long-term maintenance.
Aim
The aim with this project is to develop potential new mining methods or alter/modify already existing mining methods for mining of deep steeply dipping large hard rock ore bodies, and to develop mining methods which are safe, rational, and with a minimum of operational losses.
Focus will be on large scale underground hard rock mining methods and cut and fill and stoping methods.
Approach
The project is a joint project with Boliden and LKAB.
Financial support: FP7, LKAB, Boliden.
Project period: 2011 - 2015
Contact: Jenny Greberg
Publications
Optimization of Truck-Loader haulage system in an underground mining: A simulation approach using Simmine, (2012), Salama, Greberg MassMin 2012
Comparison of mechanical excavation and drilling : A discrete event simulation approach
Bartlomiej Skawina | Master of Science (120 credits), (Thesis, 30 points, the Master) Civil Engineering, 2013
Optimization using discrete event simulation and mixed integer programming: application on haulage systems for deep underground mines
Salama, A. apr 2013 Luleå: Luleå tekniska universitet. 136 s. (Licentiate thesis / Luleå University of Technology).
Mechanical excavation and drilling and blasting : a comparison using discrete event simulation. /Skawina, Bartlomiej; Greberg, Jenny; Salama, Abubakary; Schunnesson, Håkan .Mine Planning and Equipment Selection : Proceedings of the 22nd MPES Conference, Dresden, Germany, 14th – 19th October 2013. red. / Carsten Drebenstedt; Raj Singhal. Vol. 1 Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2014. s. 367-378
The use of discrete event simulation for underground haulage mining equipment selection
Salama, A., Greberg, J. & Schunnesson, H. 2014 i : International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering. 17 s.
Evaluation of the impact of commodity price change on the mine plan of deep underground mining. /Salama, Abubakary ; Nehring, Micah; Greberg, Jenny; Schunnesson, Håkan .:International Journal of Mining Science and Technology , 2014.
Operating value optimization using simulation and mixed integer programming. /Salama, Abubakary ; Nehring, Micah; Greberg, Jenny .i:International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment , Vol. 28, Nr 1, 2014, s. 25-46
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