Head-mounted display-based intuitive virtual reality training system for the mining industry

Virtual reality(VR) training technology in the mining industry is a new field of research and utilization.The successful application of VR training system is critical to mine safety and production. Through the statistics of the current research and applications of VR training systems in mining industry, all the input/output devices are classified. Based on the classifications of the input/output devices that are used in the VR system, the current VR training systems for the mining industry could be divided into three types: screen-based general type, projector-based customized type, and head-mounted display(HMD)-based intuitive type. By employing a VR headset, a smartphone and a leap motion device, an HMDbased intuitive type VR training system prototype for drilling in underground mines has been developed.Ten trainees tried both the HMD-based intuitive system and the screen-based general control system to compare the experiences and training effects. The results show that the HMD-based system can give a much better user experience and is easy to use. Three of the five components of a VR training system,namely, the user, the tasks, and software and database should be given more attention in future research.With more available technologies of input and output devices, VR engines, and system software, the VR training system will eventually yield much better training results, and will play a more important role in as a training tool for mine safety.

Big data management in the mining industry

The mining industry faces a number of challenges that promote the adoption of new technologies.Big data,which is driven by the accelerating progress of information and communication technology,is one of the promising technologies that can reshape the entire mining landscape.Despite numerous attempts to apply big data in the mining industry,fundamental problems of big data,especially big data management(BDM),in the mining industry persist.This paper aims to fill the gap by presenting the basics of BDM.This work provides a brief introduction to big data and BDM,and it discusses the challenges encountered by the mining industry to indicate the necessity of implementing big data.It also summarizes data sources in the mining industry and presents the potential benefits of big data to the mining industry.This work also envisions a future in which a global database project is established and big data is used together with other technologies(i.e.,automation),supported by government policies and following international standards.This paper also outlines the precautions for the utilization of BDM in the mining industry.

The Key Factor of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the History of the Contribution of Mining Industry to the Prosperity of the United States and South Africa: A Review

Mining industry has significantly contributed to the prosperity of the nation with economic growth, whereas mining operation has caused Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) with the abandonment of mines. As some researchers suggest, the history of AMD is, generally, affected by the change in not only mining industry but also in social and economic conditions. Thus, historical analysis is an effective way to find the key factors of AMD. In this study, in order to find the key factors of AMD, we examine the history of the United States (U.S.) and South Africa, where their economy had been developed owing to the large-scale mining, based on the findings in the previous studies. The results indicated that the abandoned mines due to the economic depression triggered AMD in the U.S. and South Africa. While the U.S. had progressively adopted anti-AMD methods in terms of prevention, prediction, and remediation (PPR) as a comprehensive approach, especially since the 1970s onwards because of the rise of environmental consciousness as well as strict regulations, South Africa is at the early stage of implementing the regulations following PPR. The public attention should be directed to environmental conservation in addition to the implementation of the regulations in South Africa. The improvement in socio-economic conditions is, additionally, necessary for the rise of environmental consciousness in South Africa in the light of the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental elements.

Research on key techniques of virtual reality applied in mining industry

Based on the applications of virtual reality technology in many fields, introducedthe virtual reality technical basic concept, structure type, related technique development,etc., tallied up applications of virtual reality technique in the present mining industry, inquired into core techniques related software and hardware, especially the optimization inthe setup of various 3D models technique, and carried out a virtual scene to travel extensively in real-time by stereoscopic manifestation technique and so on. Then it broughtforward the solution of virtual reality technique with software and hardware to the miningindustry that can satisfy the demand of different aspects and levers. Finally, it show a fineprospect of virtual reality technique applied in the mining industry.

China's Mining Industry Will Be Further Opened to the Outside World

Recently,the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the Catalog of Industries for Guiding Foreign Investment(revised in 2017)(hereinafter referred to as the'Catalog').Compared with the Catalog of Industries for Guiding Foreign Investment(revised in 2015),the Catalog has made

China's Mining Industry Embraces Golden Time for External Investment

At the 2016(The 4th)International Summit Forum on Mining Development held on December 8,attending experts said,under dual pressures of meeting peak period of resource demand and confronting industry adjustment,over supply of global major mineral products will continue,in the next three to five years prices of mineral products may continue to

The Impact of the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Goals on Mineral Resource Availability in Africa

Understanding and predicting the impact of the global energy transition and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on global mineral demand and African supply is challenging. This study uses a resource nexus approach to investigate and analyze the impact of this transition on energy and water demand and CO2 emissions using three annual material demand scenarios. The results indicate that African mining will consume more energy by 2050, leading to an increase in cumulative demand for energy (from 98 to 14,577 TWh) and water (from 15,013 to 223,000 million m3), as well as CO2 emissions (1318 and 19,561 Gg CO2e). In contrast, only a modest increase in energy demand (207 TWh) will be required by 2050 to achieve the SDGs. Therefore, the African mining industry should reduce its energy consumption and invest more in the renewable energy sector to support the global energy transition.

Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils near the Almalyk Mining and Smelting Industrial Area,Uzbekistan

The present study demonstrates distribution and chemical forms of heavy metals in soils of the AImalyk mining and smelting industrial area along five transects. The study area is located in Almalyk, Uzbekistan, where the intensification of industrial enterprises negatively impacts the environment. The distribution of 17 heavy metals （Cu, Zn, Pb, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Th, and U） were studied in 21 sampling locations （21×3=63 soil samples） along five radial transects with a total length of 60 km downwind deposition gradient. Soil samples were collected from the upper layer （0-10 cm） at 4-6 km intervals. As a result of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyses by using X -ray fluorescence spectroscopy （XRF, Philips Analytical Ink, USA ）, a significant decrease in heavy metal （Cu, Zn, Pb） deposition was found going from the source in a downwind direction. Soil samples taken from the first location （near the pollution sources） showed higher concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb, and lower concentrations with increasing distance from the source. Obtained data showed different impact of pollution sources to heavy metal deposition and distribution in soils. The Almalyk mining and smelting complex is the major source of Pb, Zn and Cu enrichment in soils. Distribution of other trace elements does not exceed background content and suggests lithogenic background. This allowed us to divide these elements into two groups： （1） technogenic （Cu, Zn and Pb）; and （2） lithogenic （Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Th and U） origins.

Province-scale commonalities of some world-class gold deposits:Implications for mineral exploration

Discovery rates for all metals, including gold, are declining, the cost per significant discovery is increasing sharply, and the economic situation of the industry is one of low base rate. The current hierarchical structure of the exploration and mining industry makes this situation difficult to redress. Economic geologists can do little to influence the required changes to the overall structure and philosophy of an industry driven by business rather than geological principles, However, it should be possible to follow the lead of the oil industry and improve the success rate of greenfield exploration, necessary for the next group of lower-exploration-spend significant mineral deposit discoveries. Here we promote the concept that mineral explorers need to carefully consider the scale at which their exploration targets are viewed. It is necessary to carefully assess the potential of drill targets in terms of terrane to province to district scale, rather than deposit scale, where most current economic geology research and conceptual thinking is concentrated. If orogenic, IRGD, Carlin-style and IOCG gold-rich systems are viewed at the deposit scale, they appear quite different in terms of conventionally adop- ted research parameters. However, recent models for these deposit styles show increasingly similar source-region parameters when viewed at the lithosphere scale, suggesting common tectonic settings. It is only by assessing individual targets in their tectonic context that they can be more reliably ranked in terms of potential to provide a significant drill discovery. Targets adjacent to craton margins, other lithosphere boundaries, and suture zones are clearly favoured for all of these gold deposit styles, and such exploration could lead to incidental discovery of major deposits of other metals sited along the same tectonic boundaries.

Adsorption of Metal Ions by Sorbents Composed of Marine Alga Saccharina bongardiana and Poriferous Aluminosilicates

The development of gold and cobalt-copper-nickel deposits in Kamchatka threatens the loss of biodiversity in spawning rivers and lakes and has negative effects on coastal ecosystems. To reduce pollution by mining wastes, filters with dried marine alga Saccharina bongardiana in combination with zeolite and pumice are recommended. Combined Saccharina-based sorbents remove heavy metal ions more effectively, increasing adsorption capacity by five times compared to mineral （pumice） sorhents. As a result of desorption, a tenfold increase of the solution concentration is reached after the first sorption cycle. Valuable elements （Ni, Co, Cu etc.） can then be extracted from concentrates by any known method. It increases economic efficiency of the mining industry due to recycling of non-ferrous metals. Saccharina-based sorbents can be also utilized for purification of polluted natural waters. It may serve as environmental protection measure and provide for ecological safety of the unique natural environment of Kamchatka and its bioresources.

Preparedness of Swedish EMS Personnel for Major Incidents in Underground Mines

The purpose of this study was to survey the EMS （emergency medical services） personnel preparedness for major incidents in the underground mining industry in Sweden. Every year, a high number of incidents, workplace accidents and fires are reported from the Swedish mining industry. Taking care of patients located in an underground mine represents a challenge to EMS personnel. Today, knowledge about EMS personnel preparedness for major incidents in the mining industry is limited. The study design was a cross-sectional survey. The questionnaires were distributed to EMS personnel working in ambulance stations geographically located near an underground mine. Thirteen ambulance stations were included and 137 of 258 personnel answered. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Differences among groups were analyzed with the Chi-Squared test, continuity correction and t-test. Results showed about half of the participants reported that they do not feel prepared to work in a major incident in an underground mine. The majority wished to receive educational training to enhance their preparedness. The most commonly requested type of education was practical drills on the scene, in an underground mine. The reported preparedness was significantly higher among the participants who had received some kind of education, or had authentic experience of a mission in an underground mine than those who did not. This study reveals shortcomings in the preparedness of EMS personnel. The perceived low preparedness of EMS personnel may affect their ability to work in a major incident in the mining industry. Study findings may be used in planning the future education, including practical drills, of EMS personnel.

Aeolian Dust Forecast in Arid and Semiarid Regions of Peru and Chile and Their Contribution over Particulate Matter Concentration

The dust generated in arid areas of the planet is a very important source of particulate matter in the air, especially favoured by the presence of winds that can raise erodible material from the surface. These particles have an important influence when making an assessment of the air quality, due to its direct and indirect impact on public health. In this work, we reproduce episodes of aeolian dusts in the desert areas of Peru and Chile, where high dust concentration events are common and many mining industries are located. The differentiation of the contribution of particulate matter from Aeolian dusts and mining activities of the area is an important issue, as well as trying to forecast these events. For this purpose, we have calculated an erodibility factor at high resolution that, combined with WRF meteorological output and the GOCART dust scheme, gives the emission of particulate matter. We have introduced the emissions in the photochemical model CMAQ, which determines the concentrations in the different domains, and we have observed that the natural dust contributes greatly to pollution in the area, exceeding permissible limit values in the area of Paracas in Peru, and with contributions of up to 23% of the total particulate matter in the city of Calama in Chile, resulting non-negligible values for the evaluation of air quality.

Land-Sea Interactions in Punta China(Baja California,Mexico):Addressing Anthropic and Natural Disturbances in a Retrospective Context

In extensive SCUBA-diving surveys of kelp forests along 350 km of the Baja California peninsula coastline from the US-México borderline to Sacramento Reef, benthic species richness has been satisfactorily explained by environmental structural features such as bottom rugosity. However, values at Punta China embayment (PCE) departed significantly from the model whereas the adjacent Santo Tomás cove (STC) did not. In addition, in August 20, 2011, visibility was under 1 m at PCE and over 10 m at STC;these conditions presumably reflect the influence of the limestone extraction industry located on land. In order to investigate the case allowing for temporal comparisons, we set a regional research scenario similar to a 1993 pioneer study, comprising PCE and two contrasting sites (STC to the North, and San José embayment, SJE, to the South). Land and sea side were addressed separately, and a 1950-2012 time-span period was set in order to perform the analysis of retrospective data. Our results suggest that the current scenario results from the combined influence of a local, anthropic and chronic land-based disturbance represented by the progressive expansion of limestone extraction industry, and the episodic influence of a natural, large scale and acute disturbance represented by the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Nino events. The influence of both driving forces, however, is not necessarily equally distributed in space, yielding a regional mosaic of natural and social conditions. Our results confirm and expand previous knowledge in the area, and may contribute to?future basic and applied research.

Molybdenum alloying in cast iron and steel

Metal casting is an important manufacturing technology for efficiently producing massive components with complex shape.A large share of industrial castings is made from iron and steel alloys,combining attractive properties and low production cost.Upgrading of properties in cast iron and steel is mainly achieved by alloying and in fewer cases by heat treatment.Molybdenum is an important alloying element in that respect,increasing strength,hardness and toughness.It also facilitates particular heat treatments such as austempering.The paper describes the metallurgical functionality of molybdenum alloying in iron-based castings and demonstrates its effectiveness for applications in the automotive and mining industry.