Intelligence brings safety, efficiency and sustainability, based on open-pit mining environment at home and abroad

The regulations on intelligent and refined mining are the most stringent among the international open-pit mining related laws and regulations.

Flying gravel, dust, noise and vibration are some of the common safety hazards in open-pit mining operations. For more than a century, drilling holes in hard rock and using explosives was the first step in processing this mineral-rich material. Although miners try to solve every potential hazard, the use of explosives presents inherent risks to workers and surrounding areas.

In order to reduce the safety risks associated with drilling and blasting, and to establish more sustainable mining methods, open-pit mining operations around the world have begun to implement precision mining methods. A heavy machine called a surface excavator, equipped with powerful cutting wheels, is used to break hard rock materials in precision mining operations. Mines using these machines have been able to reduce the number of blasting materials, thereby helping to alleviate the safety concerns of miners and communities.

Compliance with safety regulations

Tyler Sikora, a professional mining application engineer at Vermeer, a global industrial and agricultural machine manufacturer, believes that the regulations on intelligent and refined mining are the most stringent among the international open-pit mining regulations. He explained: “Most countries have strict guidelines for the handling and storage of explosives, which is driving up mining costs. Moreover, for many large-scale mining operations, nearby communities require reductions in noise, vibration and noise generated by normal mining operations. The cries of dust made them more and more stressed."

In China, a series of policies have also been introduced to ensure mining safety. For example, recently, in order to strengthen coal mine safety management, prevent and reduce coal mine accidents, and ensure coal mine production safety, the Office of the State Council’s Safety Commission issued the “Emergency Measures for Strengthening Mine Safety Production Work”. "Notice", requires mining enterprises to strictly prohibit illegal blasting and hot work, illegal subcontracting underground engineering, prohibiting the use of eliminated equipment and technology, prohibiting major disasters from organizing production without in place, prohibiting super-power and super-strength organizing production, prohibiting unauthorized organization Production and construction, strict safety monitoring facilities and equipment management, strict downing with shifts and safety education and training, and strict implementation of supervision and supervision instructions.

Efficient mining

Another feature of intelligent mining machinery is the improvement of efficiency. Drilling and blasting require several steps: First, the blasthole drill bit will punch holes to contain the explosive; then the holes are loaded and detonated to form rubble, which must be filtered and crushed before being prepared for transportation. Throughout the process, mine workers usually need to operate machines on undesirable terrain.

Some international experts said that the ground excavation machinery creates a flat mine floor for the trucks that transport materials. Rugged transportation roads can be a real danger to miners. Sharp rocks can puncture tires, and uneven terrain can create an unsafe environment for truck drivers.

Smart mining involves fewer steps, and most operations can significantly reduce the number of times that materials need to be processed. Some machines can even be operated by remote control, which is particularly useful when working near obstacles such as roads, pipelines or mine walls.

China's intelligent mining is also accelerating. In terms of energy companies, in October last year, five unmanned mining dump trucks were automatically aligned and loaded with excavators one by one at the production site of the National Energy Group Shenbao Energy Open-pit Coal Mine, achieving integrated operation of loading, transportation and platooning, marking the world's first After passing the safety review organized by the Chinese Society of Automation, a 5G+220-ton driverless truck marshalling project under extreme cold conditions entered the stage of full-load industrial trial operation. In addition, in terms of the main engine plant, XCMG excavator innovatively introduced the "digital excavator" thinking, gave full play to the important supporting role of the innovation platform, constructed a new excavator design route, and realized the substantial transformation from "geometric prototype" to "performance prototype". Mining machinery brings a competitive advantage that is difficult to imitate.

Sustainable practice

In addition to being safe and efficient, precise open-pit mining can also help miners create better sustainable practices. Vibration caused by blasting can damage nearby infrastructure, including roads, pipelines and buildings. In order to avoid this situation, blasting work must abandon these areas. The vibration generated by the ground excavator is greatly reduced, and it is possible to work near the existing infrastructure, thereby helping to reduce the waste of large amounts of mineral-rich materials.

Sikora said: “Excavating in these areas allows mining companies to extract more materials in a smaller space, which helps reduce their operational footprint. Surface excavators also have the ability to accurately extract waste and chemically different ores. The ability to mine ore, thin coal seams and heterogeneous ore bodies also reduces material waste."

China has also achieved corresponding practical results in the process of achieving green mining and low-carbon development. Combining the coal storage conditions in the Zhungeer area, Zhuneng Group has designed a chain of production processes to form a stripping mining chain that connects the ground loess, the central rock layer, and the lower coal. Through the introduction of the internationally advanced dragline in open pit mining, and combined with the throwing blasting process, a unique quasi-energy feature of dragline throwing blasting without transportation and pile-returning technology is formed, with low cost, low energy consumption, and high efficiency. Energy saving and emission reduction of 20,000 tons of standard coal.

A more harmonious way of getting along

Mining plays a vital role in everyone's daily life. The materials extracted from open-pit mining generate energy, which manufacturers use to produce many machines and gadgets that people use every day. By using smart and precise mining methods, today’s miners are actively taking measures to make mines safer, more sustainable, and better live in harmony with nearby communities.

The future of mining must be precise and intelligent.

A more harmonious way of getting along