Mine planning models have proved to be very effective in supporting decisions on sequencing the extraction of material in copper mines. These models have been developed for CODELCO, the Chilean state copper mine and used successfully. Here, we wish to develop a corporate model, including all mines of CODELCO. The original models are extremely large MIPs. In order to run a global model, the orig...

Goaf Frictional Ignition (GFI) poses a serious threat to the safety of underground coal mines, and has caused many underground fires and catastrophic explosions. This paper examined occurrences of GFI incidents and the underlying mechanisms of ignition source and environment. Most of these incidents were attributed to rock on rock frictional ignition. The eventuation of frictional ignition reli...

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of a combined finite-discrete element program, such as ELFEN, for the simulation and prediction of backfill stope failure risks due to blast loading effects in underground mines. A real size of a backfilled stope blasted in the nearby rock of the paste fill is modelled. The dynamic fracture propagation and fragmentation in rock and the...

Mining and mineral exploration play important roles in the global economy. In mining operations, communication systems play vital roles in ensuring personnel safety, enhancing operational efficiency and process optimization. Over the period 1920-2012, this article surveys the evolution of wireless communications in underground mines, the developments of the underlying technology, and progress i...

A precision positioning system with energy efficiency is of great necessity for guaranteeing personnel safety in underground mines. The location information of the miners' should be transmitted to the control center timely and reliably; therefore, a heterogeneous network with the backbone based on high speed Industrial Ethernet is deployed. Since the mobile wireless nodes are working in an irre...

High-capacity wireless IP networks with limited delays are nowadays being deployed in both underground and open-pit mines. This allows for advanced remote control of mining machinery with improved feedback to operators and extensive monitoring of machine status, wear and fatigue. Wireless connectivity varies however depending on channel impairments caused by obstacles, multi-path fading and oth...

The Certej basin is situated in the North of Deva town, in Apuseni Mountains and was an important nonferrous mining region. In present the mining activities were stopped, but the acid mine drainage is still affecting the underground water quality. Acid Mine Drainage takes place where sulphide-bearing material is exposed to oxygen and water. This drainage water is characterized by low pH, high s...

Compared to opencut mining, underground coal mining is more common in Australia due to its lesser impact on the environment. Although there are several underground mining methods, such as the longwall, pillar, bord, and miniwall, longwall mining is the most commonly used method due to its high efficiency. However, longwall mining does lead to significant ground subsidence. Mining subsidence is ...

Deployment of wireless sensor networks and wireless communication systems have become indispensable for better real-time data acquisition from ground monitoring devices, gas sensors, and equipment used in underground mines as well as in locating the miners, since conventional methods like use of wireline communication are rendered ineffective in the event of mine hazards such as roof-falls, fir...

Spontaneous coal combustion (SCC) is one of the significant hazardous phenomena in underground coal mines. The tendency of spontaneous coal combustion is an intrinsic property, due to the presence of the maceral content. Unlike its importance, this matter has not been discussed in detail among the researchers. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effect of this parameter on SCC. Macera...