Navigating mining automation in practice

Join the Southern Queensland Branch for their In-Person and Livestream July tech talk: Navigating mining automation in practice.

About this event

As the mining industry looks to the future, autonomous systems will play a significant role. In an autonomous process, machines can make decisions without human intervention, increasing efficiency and productivity. The question is, what is required to become ready for this fast-approaching future of autonomous decision-making?

Investigating the decision-making structure within a typical mining organisation reveals the importance of considering the concept of "time span of discretion." This refers to the window of time during which decisions must be made. Specifically, decisions with a short time span of discretion require swift action.

The need arises to automate a significant portion of these routine and repetitive decisions which usually have short time span of discretion. By doing so, human capacity can be freed up to focus on more critical aspects of mining operations. However, as uncertainty increases, the reliability of decisions made by autonomous systems may diminish. Complex, unpredictable scenarios can challenge the effectiveness of autonomous systems, underscoring the continued importance of human judgment for handling high-uncertainty situations.

This talk will navigate the practical pathway for transitioning to autonomous mining processes. It will explore the requirements, challenges, and the balance between automated and human decision-making that is needed to harness the benefits of mine automation while maintaining operational resilience.  

In-Person Program
5.30pm - 6.00pm: Networking, canapes and drinks
6.00pm - 7.00pm: Presentation
Livestream (Audio & slides only)
6.00pm - 7.00pm: Presentation

Speaker/s

Prof Mohsen Yahyaei

Director - Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), The University of Queensland

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Professor Mohsen Yahyaei is a leading expert in modeling, optimisation, and control of mineral processing circuits. As the Director of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and the Program Leader for Future Autonomous Systems & Technologies (FAST) at the University of Queensland, he plays a pivotal role in advancing autonomous technologies for the mining industry.

Professor Yahyaei collaborates closely with major mining companies and suppliers through applied research projects, which aim to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of mineral processing operations. His research explores the development of soft sensors, dynamic modeling, and advanced automatic control systems. This work enables real-time process prediction and optimisation in mineral processing plants, supporting the transition towards more autonomous and adaptive control.

With his expertise and leadership positions, Professor Yahyaei is at the forefront of shaping the future of mineral processing automation and contributing to the mining industry's digital transformation.