Papers by Keyword: Mining

Abstract: This research focuses on the development of a 3-in-1 personal protective equipment (PPE) design, which includes a safety helmet, visor, and earplugs, specifically aimed at mining applications. The objective of this study is to identify and address unique safety risks in mining environments, such as impact hazards, high noise levels, and particle exposure. The research methodology involves ergonomic dan analysis HIRADC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Determining Control) to identify potential failures and risks in the design. Additionally, field surveys and interviews with stakeholders, including miners and safety experts, were conducted to understand the needs and challenges faced on-site. The results yield a 3-in-1 PPE design that integrates safety, functionality, and comfort, focusing on comprehensive impact protection, incorporating a scratch-resistant visor and adjustable earplugs. Performance evaluation was carried out through simulation testing and field prototypes. Overall, this design development aims to enhance the effectiveness of worker protection in mining environments while considering ergonomic aspects for user comfort. Furthermore, this research contributes positively to the innovation of PPE in the mining sector, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), by creating more efficient and safe solutions to protect workers from potential risks in high-risk workplaces.

Abstract: Ukraine's resource potential in providing critical sectors of the economy with raw materials of mineral aluminium for energy transition and decarbonization is determined. The current state of the global aluminium mining industry and the change in demand, cost dynamics over the past 14 years are established. The main reasons that lead to the rise and fall of the cost of aluminium raw materials on the world market are given. The main minerals that are potential sources of aluminium raw materials, according to the criterion of economic feasibility, are determined. The mining and geological conditions of the occurrence of explored bauxite deposits in Ukraine, which are potentially attractive for further open-pit development, are considered. The main areas of aluminium application in critical sectors of the economy are given, which meet the climate and energy goals of the EU by 2040 and lead to an increase in demand for it by 30%. Estimated aluminium reserves are established in four promising areas for mining activities: Vysokopilske, Mazurivske, Bihanske, and Berehivske. The determined aluminium content in alunite ores of Ukrainian deposits allows us to assert that they contain promising reserves of raw materials, which can be a resource base for strengthening global technological chains.

Abstract: Drilling equipment is the main asset of mining companies; therefore, a decrease in the operability and availability of such equipment can generate negative impacts on organizations, such as the generation of extra expenses due to the hiring of third parties for the performance of activities and contractual projects. According to statistics from previous studies, the availability of equipment in the sector should be 95% to be considered optimal for use in mining operations. Equipment downtime can be avoided by establishing and following a preventive maintenance schedule and having spare parts and hydraulic components readily available for maintenance. The purpose of this work is the implementation and follow-up of a maintenance management plan based on a failure mode analysis and autonomous maintenance and preventive maintenance with the purpose of keeping the equipment in optimal conditions, maintaining an adequate level of availability and extending the useful life of the assets. With the simulation of the Arena program, a possible availability of 95% was evidenced, which corresponds to being adequate for the optimal operation of the equipment and the continuity of the projects.

Abstract: Commercial tyres that are specifically designed for higher speed and on-highway tarred road conditions are currently being used on lightweight underground mining utility vehicles. This is due to there being no alternative tyres that are readily available to better suite the application and environment. This research calls attention to the side effects of using commercial tyres in mining environments. As a result, a model-based systems engineering approach is used to design a more appropriate tyre for this environment. Airless tires have been a focus area for many top tyre manufacturing companies however the criteria and focus of existing papers has predominantly been on commercial tyres that follow a completely different set of design rules and requirements. In this research a topologically optimised tyre that better conforms with the design parameters of the vehicle, is proposed and analysed. A computational aided design (CAD) model of a commercial pneumatic tyre and a foam filled tyre was created. Data from a typical mining vehicle of this class was captured and used to calculate the mechanics as inputs to the finite element model (FEM) including driveshaft effects. This model is then statically analyses and optimised over various iterations of topologies. The iteration stopping criteria is reduced stresses on drivetrain components and being able to accommodate a greater payload. This research provides a proof of concept on the feasibly of replacing standard commercial pneumatic or foam filled tyres with purpose designed airless tyres to better serve the mining market whilst retaining original equipment manufacturer vehicle design parameters. From the results it was found that these tyres can meet the loading requirements as specified given the resultant deflections, reduced stresses and reduced polar second moment area on the driveshaft component (s).

Abstract: In the Czech Republic, natural stone reserves at mining sites are decreasing. Mining companies face the problem of handling waste materials, especially when processing stone. The article describes research that proposes using stone dust in producing ecological building materials, the transition from a linear economy model to a circular one, and an investigation into the use of construction and demolition waste and basalt fibres. The results show that using stone dust in construction products, in terms of the consumption of binders and water, and its use through larger particles or manufactured aggregates, reducing the risk of deformations, is more effective work.

Abstract: Geopolymeric mortars derived from residues of the Peruvian formal mining industry were manufactured and mechanically evaluated under normal conditions of temperature and atmosphere. The mechanical results found in geopolymeric mortars were compared with those found in conventional Portland cement mortars (control). The values of maximum uniaxial compressive strengths for geopolymeric mortars were between 15.5 and 31.5 MPa, finding the best results when considering a ratio binder:fine sand of 1:2, hardener solution molarity of 20M and a ratio hardener solution:binder of 0.6. The microstructure found for both types of mortars studied (control and geopolymeric) consisted of an interconnected continuous phase of binder (cement or geopolymerized mining tailings) and another discontinuous one of fine sand particles, located within the binder phase.

Abstract: Slurry pumps are used to move and lift a mixture of copper ore and water at mineral processing plants. However, in the process, the pumps wear out at a high rate, which is costly and time consuming. This paper is a characterization of the chemical composition, microstructure, and hardness of samples from a copper ore mining company’s slurry pump and gravel material. With this information, studies using new technology and cladding materials can then be conducted, to compare and select the most effective treatment of the slurry pump’s surfaces to increase its operational lifetime.

Abstract: Mining is a relevant economic activity in many countries. In the treatment of ores, water is an indispensable input. For classification of minerals, the mineral industry uses the hydrocyclone process, where water is used as the medium for transporting dispersed ore particles, that are separated from the liquid by centrifugal force inside anequipmentnamed hydrocyclone.The constant advance of computers processing power, the evolution in the techniques and numerical methods, allow to simulate with great precision complex physical problems of fluid dynamics such as flow in hydrocyclones.In this sense, this work aims to analyze the performance of a concentrating hydrocyclone in the separation of ore and water by CFD. In the fluid dynamics simulation, the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach and the Ansys Fluent software were used. Results of pressure, velocity, and volumetric fraction fields of theinvolved phases are presented and evaluated. From the analysis of the results, it was observed that increasing the flow mixture velocity at the entrance of the equipment tends to increase the separation performance of the hydrocyclone.

Abstract: This article is focused on solving the problem of power supply for the mining and industrial regions of Ukraine. This problem is caused by a significant import dependence on natural gas, the lack of efficient technologies in the integrated development of the energy resources of gas-coal deposits and the deterioration of social and economic, as well as environmental conditions in mining regions. As a promising direction for solving the problem of rational use of methane from coal mines and reducing the hazardous gas emissions into the atmosphere, the implementation of gas hydrate technologies into the technological complex of a coal mine has been proposed. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation has been improved for the conditions of gas hydrates formation, which considers the presence of an excess in non-equilibrium defects and is supplemented, taking into account the thermal effect of phase transformations, with all the time positive thermal effect of the defects relaxation. It has been revealed that one can intentionally control the relaxation energy of defects by the thermodynamic stimulus of phase transformations in the process of hydrate formation. The experimental dependences have been determined of the change in hydrate accumulation on the time of hydrate formation, with the methane hydrates production and taking into account the parameters of pressure and temperature. It has been revealed that the maximum fast time of hydrate formation at T = 1°C and P = 10 MPa is the time which amounts to 2.5 hours. The experimental dependences have been determined of the gas hydrates formation out of a methane-air mixture of degassing holes, on the methane concentration, on pressure and temperature parameters. It has been determined that the greater the methane concentration in the mixture, the greater must be the pressure in the system for the gas hydrates formation.

Abstract: The authors of the paper consider the concept of further prospective development of mining enterprises. The basis of this concept are scientific results obtained during the study of physical and chemical processes of solids conversion into the gaseous state: coal → gaseous fuels. It was established that the main base of development of mining regions is a mining power-chemical complex. The basic segment of which is a well underground coal gasification station. It is established that increase of indicators of efficient operation of the station from gasification is possible by synthesis of technical and technological decisions on the use of coal seam energy. When coal gasification is over, the gasifier passes into a mode of thermal generator with the use of alothermal technique to remove heat and thermic decomposition products from the degassed space of the gasifier. Generator gas at its initial temperature (1100 – 1300oС) around an underground gasifier creates a powerful heat boiler with a temperature regime of 200 – 300oС. It was established that at work of six gasifiers on a coal seam with thickness of 1.0 m with geometrical parameters each at a width of 30 m and at the length of 450 m energy-thermal power will be 237.8 MW. At the same time, additional energy resources can be obtained by involving segments of alternative forms of energy supply to the life cycle of the mining enterprise.