Zero entry mining operations are designed so that no-one need ever enter a mining zone. There is a strong business case to apply zero-entry mining in large surface mines that are exploiting orebodies which are open at depth, or are mining zones subject to considerable geotechnical or geothermal risk. This study seeks to identify the gaps in current automation capability in order to achieve and to sustain zero-entry mining operations as applied to surface mines. The study identified a list of fourteen initiatives associated with mine geology, surveying and engineering, operations, maintenance and mine services. By considering the applicability of these automation initiatives to current surface mining operations, a development timeframe is suggested for developing solutions to these gaps. It is interesting to note that operations initiatives (such as interoperability) take priority, as these have an immediate applicability in current surface mining operations. The exception to this is Ground Engagement Tools (GET) replacement robotisation where there is a clear OH&S benefit. Surveying, Engineering and Mine service initiatives have lower development priority. There is a clear warning here for the mining industry not to neglect the development of these applications. The study also concludes that there is a need to develop an automated (or remote controlled) multi-functional platform capable of performing a wide variety of tasks, from geological grab sampling or as a mobile sensor platform along with assisting in moving lighting and communication infrastructure, electrical transformers and cables etc.
CITATION: Knights, P F and Yeates, G, 2019. Automation gaps to achieve zero entry mining in surface mining operations, in Proceedings Future Mining 2019, pp 4754 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).