Solution to the Horizontal Crossing Problem of Transportation System at Key Points in Open-Pit Mines

In order to reduce the horizontal crossing transportation problems between coal trucks and stripping trucks,large and small vehicles,and transport trucks and belt conveyors at key points of open pit mine in production,the separate transportation mode of underpass bridge and overpass steel trestle is proposed to optimize the open pit development transportation system,so as to solve the practical problems that the horizontal cross of transport vehicles causes vehicle blockage,affects production schedule and production safety.The results show that the horizontal crossing road can be changed into a separate type of overpass steel trestle,which can realize the classified transportation of large and small vehicles,reduce the traffic density,make vehicles with different functions go their own way,eliminate the hidden danger of traffic accidents,and improve the production efficiency.

Using deep neural networks coupled with principal component analysis for ore production forecasting at open-pit mines

Ore production is usually affected by multiple influencing inputs at open-pit mines.Nevertheless,the complex nonlinear relationships between these inputs and ore production remain unclear.This becomes even more challenging when training data(e.g.truck haulage information and weather conditions)are massive.In machine learning(ML)algorithms,deep neural network(DNN)is a superior method for processing nonlinear and massive data by adjusting the amount of neurons and hidden layers.This study adopted DNN to forecast ore production using truck haulage information and weather conditions at open-pit mines as training data.Before the prediction models were built,principal component analysis(PCA)was employed to reduce the data dimensionality and eliminate the multicollinearity among highly correlated input variables.To verify the superiority of DNN,three ANNs containing only one hidden layer and six traditional ML models were established as benchmark models.The DNN model with multiple hidden layers performed better than the ANN models with a single hidden layer.The DNN model outperformed the extensively applied benchmark models in predicting ore production.This can provide engineers and researchers with an accurate method to forecast ore production,which helps make sound budgetary decisions and mine planning at open-pit mines.

Experimental Investigation on Vertical Hydraulic Transport of Ores in Deepsea Mining

Deepsea mining has been proposed since the 1960s to alleviate the lack of resources on land.Vertical hydraulic transport of collected ores from the seabed to the sea surface is considered the most promising method for industrial applications.In the present study,an indoor model test of the vertical hydraulic transport of particles was conducted.A noncontact optical method has been proposed to measure the local characteristics of the particles inside a vertical pipe,including the local concentration and particle velocity.The hydraulic gradient of ore transport was evaluated with various particle size distributions,particle densities,feeding concentrations and mixture flow velocities.During transport,the local concentration is larger than the feeding concentration,whereas the particle velocity is less than the mixture velocity.The qualitative effects of the local concentration and local fluid velocity on the particle velocity and slip velocity were investigated.The local fluid velocity contributes significantly to particle velocity and slip velocity,whereas the effect of the local concentration is marginal.A higher feeding concentration and mixture flow velocity result in an increased hydraulic gradient.The effect of the particle size gradation is slight,whereas the particle density plays a crucial role in the transport.

Numerical Investigation on Inclined Hydraulic Transport of Large Particles for Deepsea Mining

Hydraulic transport in pipelines is the most promising conveying method for large ore particles in deepsea mining.The dynamic performances of particles during transportation in vertical,inclined and horizontal pipelines are significant for the design of hydraulic transport systems.In the present study,we focus on the statistical characteristics and flow regimes of the mixture composed of ore particles and seawater in the pipelines.Numerical simulations are conducted by using Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD)and Discrete Element Method(DEM).The influences of inclination angle and particle diameter are evaluated through two sets of numerical tests.The regulation of the inclined transport is totally different from that of the vertical transport,whereas the dynamics of the mixtures in inclined and horizontal pipes are similar.A number of particles accumulate on the pipe wall even with a small inclination angle.Large hydraulic gradient and local concentration would occur when the inclination angle of the pipe is in the range of30°-60°.With the decrease of particle diameter,the particle flow becomes uniform,reflected by the almost uniform particle distribution in the vertical pipe and the clear interface between the suspended load and the bed-load in the inclined pipe.However,small particles will introduce larger local concentrations and hydraulic gradients in the inclined pipe,which is not conducive to particle transport.

Features of pipe transportation of paste-like backfilling in deep mine

Based on the pipe transportation of paste-like backfilling system of a certain deep coal mine,its dynamics process was simulated and analyzed.A two-dimensional dynamic model of extraordinary deep and lone pipe was built by GAMBIT,on the basis of which the simulation was done by implicit solver of FLUENT 2ddp.The results show that hydraulic loss of pipe transportation is less than the pressure produced by gravity,which means the backfilling material can flow by itself.When the inlet velocity is 3.2 m/s,the maximum velocity of 4.10 m/s is at the elbow and the maximum velocity in the horizontal pipe is 3.91 m/s,which can both meet the stability requirement.The results of the simulation are proved to be reliable by the residual monitor plotting of related parameter,so it can be concluded that the system of pipe transportation is safe.

A comparison of the energy consumption and carbon emissions for different modes of transportation in open-cut coal mines

Transportation accounts for 80% of open-cut coal mine carbon emissions.With regard to the energy consumption and carbon emissions of transportation within an open-cut mine,this paper systematically compared the work and energy consumption of a truck and belt conveyor on a theoretical basis,and constructed a model to calculate the energy consumption of open-cut mine transportation.Life cycle carbon emission factors and power consumption calculation model were established through a Process Analysis–Life Cycle Analysis(PA–LCA).The following results were obtained:(1) the energy consumption of truck transportation was four to twelve times higher than that of the belt conveyor;(2) the CO2 emissions from truck transportation were three to ten times higher than those of the belt conveyor;(3) with the increase in the slope angle for transportation,the ratio of truck to belt conveyor for both energy consumption and carbon emissions gradually decreased;(4) based on 2013 prices in China,the energy cost of transportation using a belt conveyor in open-cut coal mines could save 0.6–2.4 Yuan/(t km) compared to truck transportation.

Pump-lockage ore transportation system for deep sea flexible mining system

Based on characteristics of deep sea flexible mining system,a new pump-lockage ore transportation system was designed.According to Bernoulli equation and two-phase hydrodynamics theory,parameters of the new system were obtained and four ore transportation systems were analyzed.The results indicate that the pump head of 1 000 m mining system is 100-150 m and that of 5 000 m mining system is 660-750 m.In addition,based on similarity theory,a model of the new transportation system was made,which can simulate more than 5 000 m actual ore transportation system.So both theory and experiment prove that the new pump-lockage ore transportation system is an ideal design for deep sea flexible mining system.

A management information system for mine railway transportation equipment

Good equipment management is essential for the day to day management of an enterprise. Targeted at production opera-tion of the railway transportation department of a mining group and aimed at mine railway equipment management, we have estab-lished a management information system for the equipment in the entire process of the life cycle of equipment. The project deals with basic data about equipment, initial management, maintenance, operation and even disposal, based on a C/S and B/S structure. We adopted an object-oriented approach, dealing with software engineering, information engineering, economic and organizational measures. Thus, effective monitoring and control of the operation of railway equipment and its status in the entire process has been achieved.

Application of open-pit and underground mining technology for residual coal of end slopes

Given the conditions of residual coal from the boundary of a flat dipping open-pit mine,which uses strip areas mining and inner dumping with slope-covering,we propose an open-pit and underground integrated mining technology for residual coal of end slopes.In the proposal a conveyance road and ventilation conveyance near the slope are built,corresponding to the pit mining area and the surface coal mine dump,as well as an interval haulage tunnel and air-inlet tunnel.The outcome shows that such mining method may reduce the effect to slope stability from underground mining,it does not affect the dumping advance and has a high recovery rate of residual coal resources.The working face is timbered by single hydraulic props,transported by a scraper conveyor and supported by coal walls.This method of mining is one of layered top coal caving,with high resource recovery,low production cost where positive economic benefit can be realized.

Model of Combined Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs and Safety Inspection Based on Data Mining

There is still no effective means to analyze in depth and utilize domestic mass data about agricultural product quality safety tests in china now. The neural network algorithm, the classification regression tree algorithm, the Bayesian network algorithm were selected according to the principle of selecting combination model and were used to build models respectively and then combined, innovatively establishing a combination model which has relatively high precision, strong robustness and better explanatory to predict the results of perishable food transportation meta-morphism monitoring. The relative optimal prediction model of the perishable food transportation metamorphism monitoring system could be got. The relative perfect prediction model can guide the actual sampling work about food quality and safety by prognosticating the occurrence of unqualified food to select the typical and effective samples for test, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of sampling work effectively, so as to avoid deteriorated perishable food’s approaching the market to ensure the quality and safety of perishable food transportation. A solid protective wall was built in the protection of general perishable food consumers’ health.

Transport model for shale gas well leakage through the surrounding fractured zones of a longwall mine

The environmental risks associated with casing deformation in unconventional(shale)gas wells positioned in abutment pillars of longwall mines is a concern to many in the mining and gas well industry.With the recent interest in shale exploration and the proximity to longwall mining in Southwestern Pennsylvania,the risk to mine workers could be catastrophic as fractures in surrounding strata create pathways for transport of leaked gases.Hence,this research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)presents an analytical model of the gas transport through fractures in a low permeable stratum.The derived equations are used to conduct parametric studies of specific transport conditions to understand the influence of stratum geology,fracture lengths,and the leaked gas properties on subsurface transport.The results indicated that the prediction that the subsurface gas flux decreases with an increase in fracture length is specifically for a non-gassy stratum.The sub-transport trend could be significantly impacted by the stratum gas generation rate within specific fracture lengths,which emphasized the importance of the stratum geology.These findings provide new insights for improved understanding of subsurface gas transport to ensure mine safety.

Stability analysis of rib pillars in highwall mining under dynamic and static loads in open‑pit coal mine

The retained coal in the end slope of an open-pit mine can be mined by the highwall mining techniques.However,the instability mechanism of the reserved rib pillar under dynamic loads of mining haul trucks and static loads of the overlying strata is not clear,which restricts the safe and efcient application of highwall mining.In this study,the load-bearing model of the rib pillar in highwall mining was established,the cusp catastrophe theory and the safety coefcient of the rib pillar were considered,and the criterion equations of the rib pillar stability were proposed.Based on the limit equilibrium theory,the limit stress of the rib pillar was analyzed,and the calculation equations of plastic zone width of the rib pillar in highwall mining were obtained.Based on the Winkler foundation beam theory,the elastic foundation beam model composed of the rib pillar and roof under the highwall mining was established,and the calculation equations for the compression of the rib pillar under dynamic and static loads were developed.The results showed that with the increase of the rib pillar width,the total compression of the rib pillar under dynamic and static loads decreases nonlinearly,and the compression of the rib pillar caused by static loads of the overlying strata and trucks has a decisive role.Numerical simulation and theoretical calculation were also performed in this study.In the numerical simulation,the coal seam with a buried depth of 122 m and a thickness of 3 m is mined by highwall mining techniques.According to the established rib pillar instability model of the highwall mining system,it is found that when the mining opening width is 3 m,the reasonable width of the rib pillar is at least 1.3 m,and the safety factor of the rib pillar is 1.3.The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculation,which verifes the feasibility of the theoretical analysis of the rib pillar stability.This research provides a reference for the stability analysis of rib pillars under highwall mining.

Cut slope reinforcement technique in open-pit mines

The design and practice in supporting the cut slope of an open-pit mine wereintroduced, in which the high pressure grouting method was used in reinforcing the weak formation inthe slopes. Based on a detailed geological survey of the slope, a theoretical analysis was carriedout, and the design parameters were proposed, where the Tresca or Mohr-Coulomb yield criteria wasemployed. A patent technology, named 'Technology of high pressure and multiple grouting in differentlevels within a single hole', was employed in the construction. Anchor bars were also installed asgrouting proceeds. This method combines anchoring and grouting comprehensively and was foundsuccessful in practice.

Study on the Law of the Movement and Damage to Slope with the Combination of Underground Mining and Open-Pit Mining

Under circumstances in which both underground mining and open-pit mining are employed, the mining effects of two approaches will be superposed and the mining slope will receive several induced stress fields, which makes the sliding mechanism and deformation law of slope rock mass more complicated. This paper, targeting at the east slope of Antaibao Mine with the joint employment of underground mining and open-pit mining, aims to study the moving law of the slope rock mass and the damage mechanism to the overburden of the goaf by numerical simulation. It is supposed that models of possible damage to the slope could be explored for guidance to safety-production of the mine.

Optimization of transport passage with dragline system in thick overburden open pit mine

According to the characteristics of opencast coal resources and dragline technology system application in China,the structure and shifting step of transport passage are optimized in this paper.Typical coal transport passage is analyzed in aspects such as the internal dump occupation,dragline operation efficiency,coal transport distance,upper stripping distance and shifting quantities.The middle passage should be given priority in thick overburden open pit mine because the dragline system is only responsible for part stripping task.According to characteristics of middle passage,the transport passage is divided into parallel climbing,vertical climbing and horizontal transport.In addition,the transport passage structure optimization model and shifting distance optimization model are established in this paper.The case study in Heidaigou open pit mine shows that,the parallel climbing height is accounted for about 60%of the total height,and reasonable shifting distances of the first mining area and the second mining area are 240 and 320 m.Sensitivity analysis shows that,the total passage height has important influence on the shifting step,so it is with the stripping height and passage construction cost to the passage structure.

Monitoring and analysis of nonlinear dynamic damage of transport roadway supported by composite hard rock materials in Linglong Gold Mine

The study concentrates mainly on the development of failure process incomposite rock mass. By use of acoustic emission (AE), convergence inspection, pressure monitoring,level measurement techniques and the modem signal analysis technology, as well as scan electronmicroscopy (SEM) experiment, various aspects of nonlinear dynamic damage of composite rock masssurrounding the transport roadway in Linglong gold mine are discussed. According to the monitoringresults, the stability of the rock mass can be synthetically evaluated, and the intrinsic relationbetween the damage and the characteristic parameters of acoustic emission can be determined. Thelocation of the damage of rock mass can also be detected based on the acoustic emission couplemonitoring signals. Finally, the key factors which influence the stability of the transport roadwaysupported by composite hard rock materials are found out.

Application Research of Computer Network Technology in Mining Railway Transport Management System

This paper discussed the necessity of establishing a computer network in a mining railway transport management system. The network structure and the system security design, associated with the real development condition of a mining area, were brought forward, and the system evaluation was given.

Erosion and transport mechanisms of mine waste along gullies

Mine waste debris flows continue to occur in China, and the disaster prevention and mitigation of these flows faces severe challenges since the mechanisms determining erosion and transport of mine waste along gullies are not yet fully understood. The erosion and delivery process of mine waste heaps was reproduced through flume experiments with the method based on field survey data of the Daxicha mine waste debris flow gully in the Xiaoqinling gold mining area. The results showed that the erosion and movement of mine wastes could be divided into three modes: minimal sediment movement, sediment sorting and delivery, and a large amount of sediment transfer. Moreover, there was an obvious amplification effect on peak discharge along with the formation and failure of temporary landslide dams during the erosion process. The correlation between the coefficient of peak discharge amplification and three dimensionless influencing factors, flume gradient, dimensionless volume, and dimensionless particle size, were comprehensively analyzed. An empirical formula for the coefficient of peak discharge amplification was proposed and verified based on 16 sets of experimental data. These preliminary results can provide a scientific reference for future research on disaster prevention and mitigation of mine waste debris flows.

Linking a Simulated Annealing Based Optimization Model with PHT3D Simulation Model for Chemically Reactive Transport Processes to Optimally Characterize Unknown Contaminant Sources in a Former Mine Site in Australia

Historical mining activities often lead to continuing wide spread contaminants in both groundwater and surface water in previously operational mine site areas. The contamination may continue for many years after closing down the mining activities. The essential first step for sustainable management of groundwater and development of remediation strategies is the unknown contaminant source characterization. In a mining site, there are multiple species of contaminants involving complex geochemical processes. It is difficult to identify the potential sources and pathways incorporating the chemically reactive multiple species of contaminants making the source characterization process more challenging. To address this issue, a reactive transport simulation model PHT3D is linked to a Simulated Annealing based the optimum decision model. The numerical simulation model PHT3D is utilized for numerically simulating the reactive transport process involving multiple species in the former mine site area. The simulation results from the calibrated PHT3D model are illustrated, with and without incorporating the chemical reactions. These comparisons show the utility of using a reactive, geochemical transport process’ simulation model. Performance evaluation of the linked simulation optimization methodology is evaluated for a contamination scenario in a former mine site in Queensland, Australia. These performance evaluation results illustrate the applicability of linked simulation optimization model to identify the source characteristics while using PHT3D as a numerical reactive chemical species’ transport simulation model for the hydro-geochemically complex aquifer study area.