AU2014410710B2

AU2014410710B2 - Remote monitoring and optimisation centre

Info

Publication number: AU2014410710B2
Application number: AU2014410710A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew David Magee
Original assignee: Technological Resources Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Technological Resources Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-03
Filing date: 2014-11-03
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-03
Also published as: WO2016070216A1; CA2969642A1; CA2969642C; AU2014410710A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a remote monitoring and optimisation centre (250) comprising: an input interface (252) for receiving operating data from a work site (205), wherein the operating data relates to at feast one selected process at the work site (205); and an analytics module (256) for facilitating analysis of the at least one selected process based on the received operating data, and further adapted to facilitate development of a proposed action to improve the at least one selected process or a related process to the at least one selected process. The analytics module (256) includes: a workflow circuit representing a workflow at the work site, each process of the workfiow being represented by a node of the workflow circuit, wherein the analytics module is operable to display a visual representation of the workflow circuit on a visual display, each node of the workflow circuit being selectable by a user to select a process of the work site (205); and a database (270) for storing the proposed action in a set of deployable actions.

Description

REMOTE MONITORING AND OPTIMISATION CENTRE

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and system for generating proposed actions relating to a work site process and, in particular, to a remote monitoring and optimisation process and centre for monitoring operating data in relation to the work site process and generating those actions.

Background

[0002] Operations centres (OCs) are used across many industries to monitor and control the operation of one or more work sites. An operations centre is coupled to a work site via a communications link that enables operating data to be transmitted from the work site to the operations centre for operations staff to monitor the status of one or more processes or pieces of equipment at the work site. The communications link also enables control data to be transmitted from the operations centre to the work site. The communications link may be implemented as one or more duplex transmission paths or as multiple simplex transmission paths or a combination thereof.

[0003] An operations centre typically has one or more displays for monitoring operating data received from a work site and one or more controls for controlling a process or equipment at the work site. In a simple implementation, an operations centre is co-located with a work site. In other implementations, the operations centre may be located remotely from th work site. In the fields of oil and gas production and space exploration, for example, it is a matter of practicality for the operations centres to be located remotely from the relevant work sites.

[0004] Operations staff at an operations centre receive "live" or real time data from a work site and react to that data by adjusting controls in an effort to maintain smooth operating conditions for the work site. Consequently, operations centres commonly have staffing levels that reflect the working hours of the relevant work sites. For a

telecommunications environment, for example, in which a communications network is avaiiabie to customers 24 hours per day, an operations centre is staffed 24 hours per day, with staff working in shifts.

[0005] In one example, a work site relates to a processing plant, such as may be found in the mining and food industries. Such processing plants are typically vast and complex multi-stage 'Systems, which are controlled from an operations centre, wherein each stage may include one or more processes or pieces of equipment. The operations centre is responsible for the continuous operation of the processing plant, and oversees the workflow embodied by the processing plant from start to end,

[0006] The continuous operation of a work site requires operations staff at a related operations centre to monitor operating data received from the relevant work site and act on any alerts that arise by using controls that affect that work site, either directly or indirectly. Such alerts depend on the particular application, but may be used to indicate abnormal operating conditions, such as equipment failure, safety alerts, and non-ideal operating conditions. Thus, an operations centre is concerned with the day to day operation of a work site and acts in a mostiy reactive way to current operating conditions of the work site by applying controls to maintain a process or piece of equipment at predefined operating conditions.

[0007] As an operations centre has control of a live work site, every change made by staff in the operations centre has a direct and tangible result in a live work environment. Accordingly, staff of an operations centre typically change control inputs in ways that are known to deliver well documented outcomes. There is little scope or capacity in an operations centre controlling a live work site to modify a work site process or alter operating conditions of equipment without having a commercial effect. The nature and extent of the commercial effect depends on the nature of the work site and the modification to be implemented, but any change to a live work environment is associated with a risk. Any adverse change in a large scale work site, such as a mining or oil work site, may result in delays, unsafe working conditions, wasted product, the loss of substantial amounts of money, or a combination thereof.

[0008] Operations centres are concerned with ensuring that work sites serviced by the respective operations centres function within a predefined range of operating conditions. Consequently, operations centres are restricted by time and operational constraints from performing detailed analysis of the efficiency of the work site processes or variance of performance parameters across work sites. Due to the nature of the above-mentioned responsibilities and constraints of operations centres, operation centres have limited facilities to analyse real time data from a work site to identify weaknesses that can be improved in the processes implemented at a work site. [0009] Additionally, while an operations centre may control multiple work sites which are generally related, such as by product or technology group, geographical location, inter-reiationship, or inter-dependency, there is limited opportunity and/or no formal process for successful operational practices at one work site to influence or be applied to non-related work sites controlled by other operational centres.

[0010] Thus, a need exists to provide a method and system for improving one or more portions of a production process implemented at a work site using live data from that work site and/or other data sources and information external to the work site.

Summary

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a remote monitoring and optimisation centre that receives operating data from a work site. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre analyses the operating data in order to generate a proposed action in relation to a process implemented by the work site. The proposed action has an associated set of operating conditions. The proposed action is then stored as a member of a set of actions that are available for review by operations staff from an operations centre associated with the work site or staff at the work site.

[0012] Optionally, once an action from the set of actions has been implemented at a work site, the remote monitoring and optimisation centre monitors the implemented action to ensure that the implemented action functions within the associated set of operating conditions.

[0013] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a remote monitoring and optimisation centre comprising;

an input interface for receiving operating data from a work site, wherein said operating data relates to at least one selected process at the work site; and

an analytics module for facilitating analysis of the at least one selected process based on the received operating data, and further adapted to facilitate development of a proposed action to improve the at least one selected process or a related process to the at least one selected process, said analytics module including;

a workflow circuit representing a workflow at the work site, each process of the workflow being represented by a node of the workflow circuit, wherein the analytics module is operable to display a visual representation of the workf low circuit on a visual display, each node of the workflow circuit being selectable by a user to select a process of the work site; and a database for storing said proposed action in a set of deployable actions.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of generating a deployable action in relation to a process undertaken at a work site, the method comprising the steps of:

generating operating data at said work site in relation to said process;

transmitting said operating data in real time to a remote monitoring and operations centre;

analysing at said remote monitoring and operations centre said operating data together with one or more of historical data of the work site, operating data from another work site, historical data of another work site, and ideal data;

generating a proposed action, based on said analysis, wherein said proposed action is associated with a profile, said profile including a set of operating parameters; and

transmitting said proposed action to an actions database for assessment by staff associated with said work site.

[0015] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of generating a proposed action in relation to a process undertaken at a work site, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a remote monitoring and operations centre operating data and/or other process data relating to said process;

analysing said operating data and/or said other process data to identify a proposed improvement relating to said process; and

generating a proposed action for consideration by an operations centre of the work site, the proposed action for at (east partially realizing the proposed improvement.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for implementing any one of the aforementioned methods,

[0017] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program product including a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for implementing any one of the methods described above.

[0018] Other aspects of the present disclosure are also provided. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of specific example(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figs la and lb are schematic block diagram representations of control systems implemented using one or more operations centres;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a system on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised;

[0022] Fig. 3 is a flo diagram illustrating a method of generating an action in relation to a process implemented by a work site;

[0023] Fig. 4a is a schematic representation of information flow between a work site and a remote monitoring and optimisation centre;

[0024] Fig. 4b is a schematic representation of the information flow of Fig. 4a applied to a work site using a bail mill;

[0025] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a system on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised;

[0026] Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system that includes a general purpose computer on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised;

[0027] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of monitoring an action

implemented on a work site;

[0028] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a workflow circuit;

[0029] Fig. 9a is a schematic representation illustrating operating data associated with a selected node of the workflow circuit of Fig. 8;

[0030] Fig. 9b is a schematic representation illustrating display of nodes representing sub-processes of a process of the workflow circuit of Fig. 8;

[0031] Figs 10a and lOb are schematic representations of embodiments of a workflow circuit;

[0032] Fig. 11a is a schematic block diagram representation of a graphical user interface for monitoring performance of an implemented solution; and

[0033] Figs llb-d are examples of first, second, and third dashboard layers. Detailed Description

[0034] Method steps or features in the accompanying drawings that have the same reference numerals are to be considered to have the same function(s) o operation(s), unless the contrary intention is expressed or implied,

[0035] The present disclosure provides a method and system for generating one o more proposed actions relating to a work site process. In particular, the present disclosure provides a remote monitoring and optimisation centre (RMOC) that is located remotel from a work site and is adapted to work in parallel with an operations centre that is responsible for the day to day operation of the work site. An operations centre may be implemented as a physical centre at which one or more controllers are co-located. Alternatively, an operations centre may be implemented as one or more central command rooms or a distributed collection of controlling interfaces that together act as a centre that facilitates control or one or more work sites.

[0036] A work site, as used in this description, is any location, area, or place where an industrial activity is performed. Such work sites may relate to one of many industries, including, but not limited to, mining, telecommunications, air travel, space exploration, manufacturing, and the like. A work site may relate to a single physical installation, such as a copper concentrating plant or a coal mine, or multiple physical installations that are related in some way, such as multiple coal mines within close geographic proximity to each other.

[0037] A work site comprises multiple components which combine to realise a set of one or more processes. The work site may, for example, be a copper concentrating plant comprised of crushers, grinding mills, flotation cells, and the like, which together realise a copper concentrating process. The copper concentrating process may contain

sub-processes such as a crushing process, a grinding process, a flotation process, and so forth, which in turn may each contain further sub-processes.

[0038] The RMOC provides a central location for analysing operating information received from one or more related or unrelated work sites. Thus, the RMOC provides an interface that enables staff to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of processes within a work site, and optionally across multiple work sites, by identifying and measuring variation within a work site or across multiple work sites serviced by the RMOC.

[0039] The processes realised at a work site depend on the particular industry, but may include, for example, drilling, blasting, ore haulage, ore recovery, smelting, and the like. In one implementation, the RMOC is located remotely from the operations centre. In contrast to an operations centre, which is concerned with the day to day operation of one or more work sites and includes means for controlling equipment or processes located at those work sites, the RMOC has no traditional control of any component at a work site and is instead adapted to improving processes or equipment implemented in a work site or across multiple work sites.

[0040] A RMOC is arranged to receive operating data directly from a work site in realtime or near real-time. That is, operating data from the work site is transmitted in parallel to each of an associated operations centre and the RMOC. The RMOC may be optionally furthe coupled to a source of historical data relating to the work site. The RMOC may also be further coupled to a database of models configured for execution on a processor to mode! and simulate the behaviours of processes implemented on the work sites, and/or to model a solution that dynamically manipulates operating data. In this context, a model is a mathematical function characterising an aspect of a selected workflow and/or characterising a transformation of a set of process inputs to generate an appropriate process controi output Accordingly, each model has one or more parameters that can be used to investigate the effect on the selected workflow.

[0041] As described above, an operations centre is used to monitor and control the operation of one or more work sites. Fig. la is a schematic block diagram representation of a control system 100 that includes an operations centre 110 for controlling a work site 120, As depicted, a communication link 115 couples the operations centre 110 to the work site 120. The communication link 115 carries operating data from the work site 120 to the operations centre 110. The communications link 115 also carries control signals from the operations centre 110 to the work site 120. Thus, the communications link 115 acts as a duplex connection between the operations centre 110 and the work site 120.

[0042] The operations centre 110 includes one or more controls for affecting the manner in which a process or equipment at the work site 120 operates. As described above, the role of the operations centre 110 is to ensure that the various processes or equipment impfemented at the work site 120 function in accordance with a predefined set of operating conditions. Controls at the operations centre 110 are used by operations staff, typically in a reactive manner based on live operating data, to modify a process or equipment at the work site 120 so that the relevant process or equipment remains within, or reverts to, the relevant operating conditions. [0043] Fig, lb is a schematic block diagram representation of a control system 150 that includes a single operations centre 160 for controlling a first work site 170 and a second work site 180. As depicted, a first communications link 165 couples the operations centre 160 to the first work site 170. A second communications link 175 couples the operations centre 160 to the second work site 180. The first communications link 165 carries operating data from the first work site 170 to the operations centre 160. The first communications link 165 also carries control signals from the operations centre 160 to the first work site 170. The second communications link 175 carries operating data from the second work site 180 to the operations centre 160, The second communications link 175 also carries control signals from the operations centre 160 to the second work site 180.

[0044] As described above in relation to the operations centre 110 of Fig. la, the role of the operations centre 160 of Fig. lb is to ensure that the various processes or equipment implemented at the first work site 170 and the second work site 180 function in accordance with a predefined set of operating conditions. Controls at the operations centre 160 are used by operations staff, in a typically reactive manner based on live operating data, to modif a process or equipment at the first work site 170 or the second work site 180 so that the relevant process or equipment remains within, or reverts to, the relevant operating conditions.

[0045] Figs la and lb illustrate control systems embodying an operations centre. The operations centres receive operating data from one or more work sites and apply controls in a reactive manner in accordance with known protocols having established outcomes to maintain operation of the work sites within the predefined sets of operating conditions for the respective sites.

[0046] In contrast to the functionality of an operations centre, as described with reference to the operations centres 110, 160 of Figs la and lb, a RMOC has no direct control of any work site and is directed to improving processes or equipment implemented in a work site or across multiple work sites.

[0047] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system 200 on which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be practised. The system 200 includes a work site 205 that is coupled to an operations centre 210 via a first

communications link 215. The work site 205 transmits to the operations centre 210, via the first communications link 215, operating data relating to one or more processes performed at or in relation to the work site 205. The operations centre 210 transmits control data to the work site 205 via the first communications !ink 215. In this way, operations staff at the operations centre 210 monitor and control the day to day operation of the first work site 205 and seek to ensure that processes implemented at the work site 205 remain within a predefined set of operating conditions,

[0048] The work site 205 also transmits the operating data to a remote monitoring and optimisation centre (RMOC) 250, via a second communications link 240. The RMOC 250 includes an input interface in the form of a live data module 252 that receives and stores the operating data from the work site 205. The RMOC 250 also includes a display module 254 and an analytics module 256, The live data module 252 presents the operating data to the display module 254, which controls display of the operating data on one or more display screens.

[0049] The work site 205 provides a workflow circuit characterising a workflow undertaken at the work site 205. The workflow includes a set of processes, wherein each process is represented by a node of the workflow circuit. Further, each process is associated with a set of operating parameters that may include inputs and outputs for a given process, along with optimal and/or acceptable operating ranges.

[0050] The analytics module 256 is configurable by a user to select and analyse data corresponding to a process of interest that is being studied for improvement. In one implementation, the RMOC 250 displays a visual representation of the workflow circuit on one or more visual displays, wherein each node of the workflow circuit is selectable by a use to display operating data relating to the process represented by that node. A user can navigate through the workflow undertaken at the work site 205. Where a process includes one or more sub-processes, the user can drill down to view data relating to the sub-process(es). The user is able to view and select data relating to a process corresponding to a selected node. The selected data may be derived from the operating data, historical data relating to the work site that is being studied, historical data relating to another work site, a set of ideal operating data, other relevant information, or any combination thereof.

[0051] In one arrangement, the analytics module 256 converts received data from the live data module 252, historical database 260 and the models 265 to a predefined set of common units. This enables a user to readily vie and compare values derived from different work sites or sources, enabiing meaningful and direct comparison across all work sites. In one arrangement, the analytics module 256 converts ail data to standard SI units and tirnestamps data appropriately. Alternatively, conversion of data is performed by a dedicated conversion module (not shown).

[0052] The user can, therefore, examine workflow undertaken at the work site 205 and, by viewing data associated with the various processes, select a process for improvement. The user then selects data relating to the selected process and analyses the selected data to identify a proposed improvement relating to the selected process. The proposed improvement may relate to a change in operating parameters for the selected process. Alternatively, the proposed improvement may relate to a change in operating parameters for another process in the workflow. This may occur, for example, when changing the parameters of another process results in improved efficiencies to be realised in the selected process. The proposed improvement may also relate to a change in the implementation of a process or sub-process of the workflow or even to a change in the workflow through the introduction, modification, or deletion of one or more processes.

[0053] By way of the analytics module 256, the user is able to review and analyse the selected data, and if desired apply the selected data to one or more models from the database of models, to review, refine, and/or manipulate a process of interest. The analytics module 256 further allows the user to create a new model to dynamically analyse operating data and manipulate the process of interest. Additionally, the analytics module 256 provides a construct in which the effects of models, and/or proposals resultant from analyses, can be simulated using live or historic operating data, whereby various hypotheses postulated by users of the RMOC to improve the process of interest may be tested, and/or the model/proposal itself tested to confirm it works as intended.

[0054] in one arrangement, the RMOC 250 includes one or more display screens for displaying five operational data derived from the operating data. In one implementation, the display module 254 presents a user with a user interface that enables the user to select operational data that is to be displayed on the display screens and the manner in which the operational data is presented. This enables the user to select one or more processes from the work site 205 and readily swap between not only different processes within the work site 205, but also different presentations of information. Such presentations may include, for example, flow circuits, telemetry, pie charts, bar graphs, tables of data, alerts, data trends (over any specific time horizon), analytical trends (over any specific time horizon), and the like. [0055] For example, a default viewing display for a copper concentrating plant may simultaneously display operating data relating to an overall workflow circuit implemented at the plant, allowing the user to monitor live operating conditions of the entire circuit. From the exemplary default viewing display, the user can focus on one or more sub- circuits, such as a bank of flotation cells, a mill, a concentrator, and the like. Preferably, a user is able to select a viewing display from a set of predefined viewing displays.

Predefined viewing displays may include, for example, a viewing display dedicated to an overall process implemented at the work site 205, a viewing display dedicated to a selection of one or more specific processes implemented at the work site 205, a viewing display showing operational data from the work site 205, a viewing display showing live operational data from the work site 205 juxtaposed with historical data from the work site 205, a viewing display showing live operational data from the work site 205 juxtaposed with a set of ideal operating data, and the like. In another implementation, the user is able to customise the viewing display, based on user preference, The Viewing displays may include, for example, workflow circuits corresponding to work sites serviced by the RMOC 250.

[0056] in the example of Fig. 2, the R OC 250 further includes an optional verification module (or monitoring module) 258, which monitors the performance of proposed actions generated by the RMOC 250 that are implemented at a work site. The verification module 258 uses live data received from the work site via the live data module 252 to track the performance of one or more implemented actions relative to the set of action attributes associated with each respective action. If the performance of an implemented action deviates outside the associated set of operating parameters associated with that action, the verification module 258 issues an alert to staff at the RMOC 250.

[0057] Fig, 8 is a schematic representation of an exemplary workflow circuit 800 relating to a copper concentrating plant. The workflow circuit 800 characterises aspects of the workflow undertaken at the copper concentrating plant and functions as a live updating state diagram fed by operating data from the copper concentrating plant. In this example, the workflow relates to copper concentration, wherein the copper concentration includes a set of processes. Each process is represented as a node of the workflow circuit 800.

[0058] Ore is delivered from a mine as an input to the workflow, represented by ore delivery node 805. The raw ore is presented to a screening node 810, which screens the raw ore to remove any materia! which may negatively affect downstream processes or cause a hazard. Such material may include, for example, very large rocks which should instead be transferred to a stockpile for further processing at a later time. The output of the screening node 810 is presented to a crushing node 815, which breaks the ore into smaller pieces. The crushing node 815 may be implemented using a series of crushers, such as cone crushers.

[0059] The output of the crushing node 815 is presented to a milling node 820. The milling node 820 grinds the crushed ore to a finer consistency and produces a slurry. The slurry passes through a classifier 822 and is then mixed with one or more chemical reagents in flotation cells, represented by flotation cells node 825. The flotation cells 825 produce a layer of bubbles carrying copper, whilst waste material discharges at the bottom of the tanks as tailings. The tailings are sent to a tailings node 840. In this example, the tailings are fed back at least once to the flotation eel is 825 to extract any further copper that may be present in those tailings. The tailings node 840 may also output content to a tailings thickener node 850, which in turn provides an output to a tailings storage node 855. The iayer of bubbles, or froth, are sent from the flotation cells 825 to a tailings concentrator 830 to condense the bubbles and the output is presented to a filter 835.

[0060] Thus, the workflow circuit 800 provides a visual representation of the copper concentration process. The RMOC 250 displays the workflow circuit 800 and a user is able to select any of the nodes 805 ... 840. In one implementation, operating data relating to each process is displayed alongside the corresponding node. Thus, the RMOC 250 displays crusher node 815 alongside operating data relating to the crushers at the copper concentrating plant. In another implementation, a user selects a node, whereupon the RMOC 250 displays information relating to the selected node. In the case in which a process includes one or more sub-processes, those sub-processes are represented by nodes and the user is thus able to drill down within any selected process.

[0061] In one example, the flotation cells node 825 represents three flotation ceils used in the actual copper concentrator plant. A user at the RMOC 250 selects the flotation cells node 825 by clicking on the node 825 and in response the RMOC 250 displays an initial set of operating data 905 relating to the flotation cells process, shown in Fig. 9a. The user is able to double click on the flotation cells node 825 to display any sub-processes relating to that node. Fig. 9b shows each of the three flotation cells represented by the flotation ceils node 825 as individua! nodes 910, 915, 920. Thus, the user can select each individua! node 910, 915, 920 to view information relating to each of the flotation ceils.

[0062] Thus, the RMOC 250 provides a centra! location for monitoring and displaying operating data from the work site 205. This enables staff to monitor the operating data and identify processes or aspects of processes that might be improved.

[0063] It will be appreciated that the flow of each workflow circuit may include seriai and parallel flows, along with feedback loops and the like. Further, a workflow circuit may relate to a work site having independent processes co-located at a single site, in which case the workflow circuit may include nodes or set of nodes that are independent of each other. For example, Fig. 10a is a schematic representation of a workflow circuit 1000 for a work site having two parallef workflows. Thus, Fig. 10a has a first set of nodes 1010 representing a first workflow and a second set of nodes 1020 representing a second workflow. Similar!y, Fig. 10b is a schematic representation of a workflow circuit 1050 having a central set of nodes 1060 implementing a first workflow and a discrete and independent node 1070 implementing an independent second workflow conducted at the same work site.

[0064] Returning to Fig. 2, the analytics module 256 is coupled to a historical database 260, which is implemented as a first storage medium for storing historical data relating to the work site 205. In one implementation, the historical data relates to operating data from the work site 205 over time. The historical data may also include historical data obtained from other work sites. Further, the historical data may include a set of ideal operating data, based on theoretica!ly optimum parameters, The analytics module 256 is also coupled to a models database 265. The models database 265 is implemented as a second storage medium for storing a set of one or more models, simulations, and other tools for use in analysing performance characteristics and/or manipulating operating characteristics of one or more processes realised at the work site 205.

[0065] In an exemplary operation of the RMOC, a user of the RMOC 250 identifies a process at the work site 205 that can be improved. The user may identify this process independently as part of the own initiative of the user, or be requested by a third party, such as the operations centre, to analyse a specific process. It should be noted that the user in this context may be a cross-disciplinary team of subject matter experts. [0066] In due course, the user analyses the specified process and determines one or more proposed actions. In one implementation, a proposed action is associated with a set of action attributes containing proposed operating parameters for at ieast one process of the workflow with which the selected process is associated. As the RMOC is not responsible for the day to day operations of the work site 205, the time taken by the user to analyse the specified process is not constrained by needing to address issues such as ensuring that the work site 205 continues to operate normally. Rather, as the day to day operation of the work site 205 is maintained by the operations centre, the RMOC 250 is able to dedicate more resources (e.g., time, man power, computing power, etc.) to analysing the specific process. The proposed actions arrived at by the user are actions which, for example, rectify a problem in the process, optimise the process, change the process, and the like. The actions may take the form of a proposed change to one or more operating parameters, or may take the form of a proposal to implement a model which dynamically and continuously monitors and manipulates operating parameters and/or controls. The model may be an existing model obtained from the database of models, a model derived from an existing model obtained from the database of models, or a new model created by the user or a third party.

[0067] Each action is associated with a profile that stores a set of action attributes for that action. Such action attributes may include, for example, the date of creation, work site or work sites to which the action is applicable, and a set of operating parameters. In practice, the set of operating parameters may relate to operating conditions of a process to which the action is applied or an acceptable range within which an output of the process must lie. The proposed action is stored in an actions database 270, which is implemented as a storage medium for storing a set of proposed actions. In the example of Fig. 2, the actions database 270 forms part of the RMOC 250. In another

implementation, not shown, the actions database 270 is external to the RMOC 250 and is coupled to the RMOC 250 by a communications link.

[0068] In one arrangement, a user assigns a ranking to each action, wherein each ranking is based on value criteria. Thus, the ranking associated with an action provides an indication of the importance of that action, in terms of the risk associated with not implementing the action or the value to be gained from implementing the action.

Depending on the implementation, the actions database 270 sorts the set of proposed actions based on the associated rankings. An action may be assigned a ranking indicating that the action is a pre-approved action which the operations centre has decided to implement automatically upon proposal by the RMOC 250.

[0069] When a new action is transmitted to the actions database 270, a notification is sent to staff at the work site(s) and/or operation centre(s) to which the action applies. Staff at the operations centre 210 and the work site 205 are able to review an action in the actions database 270 and decide whether or not to implement that action in relation to the work site 205. If the operations staff at the operations centre 210 do decide to implement the action, the operations staff send the relevant control data, via the first communications link 215, to the work site 205. In the case of actions that have the aforementioned pre-approved ranking, a notification need not be sent to staff at the work site(s) and/or operation centre(s), and such pre-approved actions are automatically implemented.

[0070] An example of a pre-approved action is an action that is generated by a model, wherein the model has been previously approved by staff at the relevant operations centre or work site.

[0071] Each of the communications finks of the system 200 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a dedicated communications link, a locai area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A

telecommunications network may indude, but is not limited to, a teiephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a mobile telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, a radio network, a satellite link, or any combination thereof.

[0072] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 of generating or devising an action in relation to a process implemented by a work site. The method 300 begins at a Start step 305 and proceeds to step 310, which generates operating data at the work site 205 relating to one or more processes implemented at the work site 205. A process may include the settings or manner in which a piece of equipment is operated. Operating data may include, for example, controls applied to a process, operating conditions, telemetry data from plant equipment, and analytic data from the work site.

[0073] Control passes to step 315, which transmits the operating data in real time from the work site 205 to the remote monitoring and optimisation centre (RMOC) 250. It will be appreciated that while this example relates to a RMOC coupfed to a single work site, alternative embodiments include a RMOC coupled to multiple work sites, in which case the RMOC may receive operating data from multiple work sites contemporaneously.

[0074] in step 320, the RMOC 250 displays the operating data received from the work site in step 315 on one or more display devices for viewing by staff at the RMOC 250. A next step 325 analyses selected data. The selected data to be analysed depends on the particular application and may relate, for example, to one or more selected processes, a specified period of time, or any combination thereof. In the scenario in which the RMOC 250 is coupled to multiple work sites, the selected data may further relate to one or more selected work sites. In one example, staff at the RMOC 250 examine processes at the work site 205 and identify a process to improve. As previously mentioned, the identified process may be a process specifically identified by the operations centre, or may be a process that the staff of the RMOC 250 identify by independent initiative. The staff then select data based on the identified aspect. It is to be noted that the selected data may include operating data and/or historical data relating to the identified aspect. In an effort to improve the identified aspect, the staff may also select data not directly related to the identified aspect, but which relates to a process or control that the staff consider may have application to the identified aspect.

[0075] Depending on the application, analysis may be performed within and across one or more selected processes. Analysis is typicaliy performed by staff at the RMOC 250. In a yet further implementation, staff in combination with a computer program analyse the operating data.

[0076] Analysis of the selected data may include, for example, a trouble-shooting analysis, analysis by a team of experts, a comparison with historical data from the same work site, a comparison with historical data from a different work site, a comparison with a theoretical ideal, or any combination thereof.

[0077] Controi passes to step 330, where one or more improvements are identified from the analysis performed at step 320. The improvements are realised as changes in one or more work site processes, changes to operating conditions of one or more pieces of equipment, constraining of one or more parameters within predetermined bounds, design of new operating or control algorithms and models, new feedback or feedforward loops, and the like. As previously mentioned, the improvements may be effected as static changes to one or more parameters, or through the implementation and continuous execution of a model which dynamically generates proposed changes as inputs change. [0078] In a next step 335, the staff generate a proposed action to be performed on the selected process. The action is submitted to an action repository, such as the actions database 270, for viewing by either operations staff at an operations centre associated with the work site or by work site staff at the work site. Such operations staff or work site staff decide whether to implement the action on the actual work site. As noted above, some implementations enable actions to be pre-approved. When such a pre- approved action is generated, there is no need for that action to be reviewed before being implemented at the relevant work site. Control passes to step 340 and the method 300 terminates.

[0079] Fig. 4a is a schematic representation of information flow between the work site 205 and the RMOC 250 of Fig. 2. In this illustration, the work site 205, also referred to as a host plant, in a first step generates operating data in relation to one or more processes performed in the host plant control environment. In one example, the work site 205 is a copper concentrating plant that performs a number of processes involving a plurality of flotation cells. Each flotation cell generates data over time relating to operation of that particular cell. The work site 205 transmits operating data derived from the host plant environment to the RMOC 250.

[0080] In the second step of the information flow shown in Fig. 4a, the RMOC 250 receives the operating data in real time from the work site 205 and stores the received operating data. The RMOC 250 optionally receives multiple streams of operating data from multiple work sites that are similarly being monitored by the RMOC 250. As described above, the display module 254 of the RMOC 250 provides an interface that enables staff of the RMOC 250 to configure the manner in which the operating data is displayed on one or more display devices. In one implementation, an array of display devices is arranged to form a video wall, wherein a user is able to arrange information on different display devices. This allows the user to selectively view live and historical data relating to one or more work sites, as well as the status of any alarms. In one implementation, the RMOC 250 processes operating data received from different work sites to be presented in a consistent and standardised format, to assist staff in correlating data and identifying statuses, trends, and variances within and across work sites. The display devices optionally display the results of models that are presently being run or have previously been run in relation to a work site process. [0081] In a third step, the MOC 250 performs analysis in relation to one or more work processes performed at the work site 205. Staff view the received operating data and identify a process from a work site to be improved. The staff then use one or more models to analyse ways in which the identified process can be affected. The models ailow the staff to vary parameters for the models to test hypotheses and optionally simulate part of a workflow circuit associated with the work site. Based on the results of the analysis, the staff generate an action associated with the identified process.

[0082] In the example in which the work site is a copper concentrating plant, staff at the RMOC 250 are able to view data relating, fo example, to fluid levels and fiow rates for each flotation cell at the work site 205. In this way, the staff are able to identify variations across flotation cells within a single work site and, where applicable, across multiple work sites. In one arrangement, the analytics module 256 includes software executing on a processor that identifies discrepancies, based on either a predefined set of operating parameters for a process , a predefined deviation from operating data returned from similar plant equipment, or a deviation from bounds set by one or more executing models. For example, the analytics module receives operating data from three flotation cells at the work site 205 and triggers an alert in relation to the third flotation cell if an air recovery rate of the third ceil is outside a bound specified by a previously implemented and currently executing model governing the air input rate.

[0083] In a fourth step, the RMOC 250 generates an action in relation to a work process undertaken at the work site 205. Such an action is associated with a profile, wherein the profile includes a plurality of action attributes. As previously described, such action attributes may include a creation date, name of process to which the action applies, name of work site(s) to which the action applies, proposed verification period corresponding to the frequency at which the action should be monitored once implemented on a work site, and a set of operating parameters. Depending on the process to which the action applies, the action attributes may include settings for one or more controls to be applied to th process.

[0084] In a fifth step, staff at the work site 205, or at the corresponding operations centre 210, choose to implement the action and the action is imposed on the selected process performed at the work site 205.

[0085] Fig. 4b is a schematic representation of the information flow of Fig. 4a applied to a work site 490 using a ball mill 455. A RMOC 401 is coupled to a storage medium that stores a set of historical databases 420. The historical databases 420 receive live plant data 405 from the work site 490. Depending on the im lementation, the RMOC 401 optionally includes input from an external research unit 410 and an external industry development unit 415, each of which provides input to a set of traditionai methods 425, The set of traditional methods may include, for example, one or more models or simulations based on known strategies for modelling and simulating a process with which the work site 490 is associated. In this example, such a process may be the operation of the ball mill 455. The set of traditional methods may also include one or more operating models provided by the manufacturer of the ball mill 455. Such operating models receive an input and produce a controlling output for the ball mill 455.

[0086] The set of traditional methods 425 and historical databases 420 provide inputs to an RMOC analytics module 430. In one arrangement, the set of traditional methods 425 and historical databases 420 present information to the RMOC analytics module 430 periodically, such as hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. The RMOC analytics module 430 is also optionally coupled to an analytics centre 435, which is adapted to perform analysis of big data derived from one or more sources, which ma include the work site 490, the RMOC 401, or other sources.

[0087] In the example of Fig. 4b, the work site 490 includes the ball mill 455 and the RMOC 401 is tasked with improving the efficiency of that ball mill. The RMOC analytics module 430 processes input data received from at least one of the set of historical databases 420 and traditionai methods 425 and, based on further input received from the analytics centre 435 and input from the cross-disciplinary team operating the RMOC 401, produces as an output one or more new models and algorithms 440 relating to operation of the ball mill. In the particular example illustrated in Fig. 4b, the input data from the traditionai methods 425 may be new research findings regarding mass balancing of mills, and generic mass balancing models provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the bail mill 455 or by industry. The input data from the analytics centre 435 may be big data findings, such as trends and patterns from multiple sources of data. The RMOC analytics module 430, from one or more of the input data from the traditional methods 425, input data from the historical database 420, input data from the analytics centre 435, and theories/know-how/experience from the cross-disciplinary team operating the RMOC 401, produces a new model for operating one or more aspects of the ball mill 455. In the particular example illustrated in Fig> 4b, the new model is a new or improved mass balancing model 445 for controlling the ball bill 455. [0088] The mass balancing model 455 receives input in the form of live plant data received from the work site 490 and presents as an output control commands for operating the ball mill 455. In the example of Fig. 4a, the mass balancing model 445 presents that output control commands for operating the ball mill 455 an input to a cyclones cluster optimiser 450, which produces an output that is presented as an input to the ball mil! circuits 455 of the work site 490. The ball mill circuits 455 exchanges information with a Distributed Control System (DCS) 460 of the work site 490. The DCS 460 periodically outputs live plant data from the work site 490 to the live plant data 405 and mass balancing model 445 of the R OC 401. Thus, a feedback control loop is effectively formed by the components of the mass balancing model 445, the cyclones duster optimiser 450, the bail mill 455, and the DCS 460. The RMOC 401 improves or replaces the mass balancing model 445 over time.

[0089] Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram representation of a system 500 embodying multiple work sites serviced by a RMOC. The system 500 includes a first work site 505 that is coupled to a first operations centre 510 via a first communications link 515. The first work site 505 transmits to the first operations centre 510, via the first

communications link 515, first operating data relating to one or more processes performed at or in relation to the first work site 505. The first operations centre 510 transmits first control data to the first work site 505 via the first communications link 515. In this way, operations staff at the first operations centre 510 monitor and control the day to day operation of the first work site 505.

[0090] The system 500 also includes a second work site 520 that is coupled to a second operations centre 530 via a second communications link 525- The second work site 520 transmits to the second operations centre 530, via the second communications link 525, second operating data relating to one or more processes performed at or in relation to the second work site 520. The second operations centre 530 transmits second control data to the second work site 520 via the second communications link 525. In this way, operations staff at the second operations centre 530 monitor and control the day to day operation of the second work site 520.

[0091] The first work site 505 also transmits the first operating data to a remote monitoring and optimisation centre (RMOC) 550, via a third communications link 540. Similarly, the second work site 520 transmits the second operating data to the RMOC 550 via a fourth communications link 545. The RMOC 550 includes an input interface in the form of a live data module 552 that receives the first operating data and second operating data from the first and second work sites 505, 520, respectively. The RMOC 550 also includes a display module 554 and an analytics module 556. The live data module 552 presents the first and second operating data to the display module 554, which controls display of the first and second operating data on one or more display screens.

[0092] in one arrangement, the RMOC 550 includes one or more display screens for displaying live operational data derived from the first and second operating data. In one implementation, the display module 554 presents a user with a user interface that enables the user to select operational data that is to be displayed on the display screens and the manne in which the operational data is presented. This enables the user to select one or more work sites and readily swap between not only different work sites or sets of work sites, but also different presentations of information. Such presentations may include, for example, workflow circuits, telemetry, pie charts, bar graphs, tables of data, alerts, data trends (over any specific time horizon), analytical trends (over any specific time horizon), and the like.

[0093] For example, a default viewing display simultaneously displays the first and second operating data relating to processes implemented at the work sites 505, 520, so that the user can monitor live operating conditions of both the first and second work sites 505, 520. Depending on the implementation, a user is able to select a viewing display from a set of predefined viewing displays. Such viewing displays may include, for example, a viewing display dedicated to a selection of one or more processes

implemented at the work sites 505, 520, a viewing display showing operational data from the work sites 505, 520, a viewing display showing live operational data from the first work site 505 juxta osed with historical data from the first work site 505, a viewing display showing live operational data from the second work site 520 juxtaposed with historical data from the work site 520, a viewing display showing live operational data from the first work site 505 juxtaposed with a set of ideal operating data, a viewing display showing live operational data from the second work site 520 juxtaposed with a set of ideal operating data, a viewing display showing data relating to an executing model relating to either one of the work sites 505, 520, and the like. In another

implementation, the user is able to customise the viewing display, based on user preference. [0094] Thus, the RMGC 550 provides a centra! location for monitoring and displaying operating data from the first and second work sites 505, 520 and analysing information relating thereto. This enables staff to monitor the operating data and identify processes or aspects of the processes that might be Improved. Further, as the work sites 505, 520 may relate to different technologies, work practices, geographical areas, and the like, staff at the RMOC 550 are able to iearn techniques and practices from one work site and apply those techniques and practices to other work site(s) serviced by the RMOC 550. This provides cross-fertilisation of ideas within different areas of a company. Further, where two work sites relate to similar processes, such as the case in which two work sites both relate to copper recovery or concentration by flotation, the staff at the RMOC can investigate why one work site performs differently from the other and then correct a weakness or defect in a work site or add an improvement from the other work site.

[0095] The analytics module 556 is coupied to a historical database 560, which is implemented as a first storage medium for storing historical data relating to the first and second work sites 505, 520. In one arrangement, the historical data relate to first and second operating data from the first and second work sites 505, 520 over time. The historical data may also include historical data obtained from other work sites. Further, the historical data may include a set of ideal operating data, based on theoretically optimum parameters. The analytics module 556 is also coupled to a models

database 565, The models database 565 is implemented as a second storage medium for storing a set of one or more models, simulations, and other tools for use in analysing and/or manipulating performance characteristics of one or more processes undertaken in relation to the first and second work sites 505, 520,

[0096] Staff at the RMOC 550 identify a process at one of the work sites 505, 520 for which improvement is sought and select data relating to that process. The analytics module 556, together with the various analytical tools in the models database 565, ailow the staff to analyse the identified process, and develop and test proposals to improve the process. The identified process may be anatysed by staff in consideration of, for example, the first operating data relating to the first work site 505, the second operating data relating to the second work site 520, historical data relating to the first work site 505, historical data relating to the second work site 520, historical data relating to a different work site, a set of idea! operating data relating to the first work site 505 or second work site 520, test data, or any combination thereof, [0097] Based on th analyses, staff at the OC 550 generate a proposed action for implementation in relation to the identified process at the first work site 505 or the second work site 520. The proposed action may, for example, be a proposed change to one or more operating parameters in the identified process, a proposed change to one or more operating parameters in another process (e.g. an upstream process, or a downstream process, or some other explicitly or implicitly related process), or a proposal to implement a mode! to dynamically manipulate one or more operating parameters of the identified process or other process in accordance with one or more inputs, wherein the inputs may include the first operating data relating to the first work site 505, the second operating data relating to the second work site 520, historical data relating to the first work site 505, historical data relating to the second work site 520, historical data relating to a different work site, a set of ideal operating data relating to the first work site 505 or second work site 520, test data, or any combination thereof.

[0098] Each action is associated with a profile that stores a set of action attributes for that action. Such action attributes may include, for example, the date of creation, work site or work sites to which the action is applicable, and a set of operating parameters. In practice, the se of operating parameters may relate to operating conditions of a process to which the action is applied. The proposed action is stored in an actions database 570, which is implemented as a storage medium for storing a set of proposed actions. In the example of Fig. 5, the actions database 570 forms part of the RMOC 550, In another implementation, not shown, the actions database 570 is external to the RMOC 550 and is coupled to the RMOC 550 by a communications link.

[0099] In one arrangement, a user assigns a ranking to each action, wherein each ranking is based on value criteria. Thus, the ranking associated with an action provides an indication of the importance of that action, in terms of the risk associated with not implementing the action or the value to be gained from implementing the action.

Depending on the implementation, the actions database 570 sorts the set of proposed actions based on the associated rankings.

[00100] When a new action is transmitted to the actions database 570, a notification is sent to work site staff at the relevant work site and operation centre to which the action applies. Operations staff at the first operations centre 510 and the second operations centre 530 are able to review an action in the actions database 570 and decide whether or not to implement that action in relation to the relevant work site 505, 520 controlled by that operations centre. Thus, operations staff at the first operations centre 510 review an action in the actions database 570 and decide whether or not to implement the action in relation to the first work site 505. If the operations staff at the first operations centre 510 decide to implement the action, the operations staff send the relevant control data, via the first communications link 515, to the first work site 505. As previously described, an action may also have a ranking indicating that the action has been pre-approved and does not require further approval by staff at the first operation centre 510. Such pre-approved actions may include, for example, outputs from a model where the act of implementing the mode! was itself an action that previously required approval by the operations staff.

[00101] In the example of Fig. 5, staff at the first work site 505 are also able to access the actions database 570 and decide whether or not to implement one or more actions from the actions database 570 that relate to the first work site 505. Similarly, staff at the second work site 520 are also able to access the actions database 570 and decide whether or not to implement one or more actions from the actions database 570 that relate to the first work site 520.

[00102] Each of the communications links of the system 500 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A

telecommunications network may include, but is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a mobile telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, a radio network, a satellite link, or any combination thereof.

[00103] In the example of Fig. 5, the RMOC 550 further includes an optional verification module 558, which monitors the performance of proposed actions generated by the RMOC that are implemented at a work site. The verification module 558 uses live data received from the work site via the five data module 552 to track the performance of one or more implemented actions relative to the set of action attributes associated with each respective action. If the performance of an implemented action deviates outside the associated set of operating parameters associated with that action, the verification module 558 issues an alert to staff at the RMOC 550.

[00104] in one arrangement, the display module 554 provides a graphical user interface in the form of a dashboard for monitoring the performance of implemented ("deployed") actions. Fig. 11a is a schematic block diagram representation of a graphical user interface 1100 for monitoring performance of an implemented action. In the example of Fig. 11a, the graphical user interface 1100 includes multiple dashboard layers, which may be displayed simultaneously on a single display screen or alternatively may be selected by a user for viewing as separate display screens. A first dashboard layer 1110 illustrates a set of deployed actions 1112, 1114, 1116, 11 IS that are being monitored by th verification module 558.

[00105] In one arrangement, each action 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118 is represented by an icon, wherein a colour of the icon indicates an operating status of the action. Thus, an action associated with an alert condition is displayed, for example, with a red icon, whereas an action that is operating smoothly is displayed with a green icon. It will be appreciated that any number of colour combinations or graphical indications may be used to indicate an operating status associated with an action, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[00106] A user is able to select one of the deployed actions 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118 to view details relating to the selected deployed action. In this example, the user selects deployed action 1116, and a second dashboard layer 1120 presents information relating to deployed action 1116. In one arrangement, each action is associated with a set of operating parameters, wherein each operating parameter is presented graphically in the second dashboard layer 1120. In the example of Fig. 11a, the selected action 1116 is associated with two components 1130, 1142 of a process implemented at a work site. The component 1130 has a set of attributes 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140 and the component 1142 has a set of attributes 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150. Depending on the implementation, each attribute of the components 1130, 1142 is represented graphically with a size or shape indicating a relative value or significance of that attribute. Thus, the relative proportion of the display region allocated to component 1130 that is occupied by each of the attributes 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140 indicates the relative importance of the respective attributes 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140 to the component 1130,

[00107] In one arrangement, a predefined scale of operating status is applied to each attribute 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1140. In one example, the predefined scale of operating status includes three states: grey indicating normal, yellow indicating a short term alert, and red indicating tha action is required. [00108] In the example of Fig. l ia, the dashboard includes a third dashboard layer 1175, which enables a user to view further details associated with a selected

attribute 1132, 1134, 1136, 1138, 110, 1144, 1146, 1148, 1150 from the second dashboard layer 1120, Such further details may include the set of action attributes associated with the selected action and attribute, such as tools used to generate the action, a set of operating parameters for the action, a set of one or more alert thresholds, a value that is being sustained, a date of deployment of the action, and personnel involved in the deployment of the action,

[00109] Fig. lib is an example of a first dashboard layer showing a set of actions deployed at a set of worksites around the world. Fig. lie is an example of a second dashboard layer showing a set of attributes relating to actions deployed at Work Site B. In this example, the action relate to attributes of a Flotation Level Control Tuning, Thickener Control, and Reagent Optimisation. A user is able to "drill down" to view further details relating to actions implemented in relation to each action. Fig. lid is an example of a third dashboard layer showing a set of action attributes relating to an action deployed in relation to Reagent Optimisation.

[00110] The remote monitoring and optimisation centre of the present disclosure may be practised using one or more computing devices, such as a general purpose computer or computer server. Fig, 6 is a schematic block diagram of a system 600 that includes a general purpose computer 610. The general purpose computer 610 includes a piuraiity of components, including: a processor 612, a memory 614, a storage medium 616, input output (I/O) interfaces 620, and input/output (I/O) ports 622. Components of the general purpose computer 610 generally communicate using one or more buses 648.

[00111] The memory 614 may be implemented using Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. The storage medium 616 may be implemented as one or more of a hard disk drive, a solid state "flash" drive, an optical disk drive, or other storage means. The storage medium 616 may be utilised to store one or more computer programs, including an operating system, software applications, and data. In one mode of operation, instructions from one or more computer programs stored in the storage medium 616 are loaded into the memory 614 via the bus 648.

Instructions loaded into the memory 614 are then made available via the bus 648 or other means for execution by the processor 612 to implement a mode of operation in accordanc with the executed instructions. [00112] One or more peripheral devices may be coupled to the general purpose computer 610 via the I/O ports 622. In the example of Fig. 6, the general purpose computer 610 is coupled to each of a speaker 624, a camera 626, a display device 630, an input device 632, a printer 634, and an externa! storage medium 636, The

speaker 624 may be implemented using one or more speakers, such as in a stereo or surround sound system. In the example in which the general purpose computer 610 is utilised to implement a RMOC, one or more peripheral devices may relate to monitors, speakers, alarms, keyboard, touchscreens, and printers connected to the I/O ports 622.

[00113] The camera 626 may be a webcam, or other still or video digital camera, and may download and upload information to and from the general purpose computer 610 via the I/O ports 622, dependent upon the particular implementation. For example, images recorded by the camera 626 may be uploaded to the storage medium 616 of the general purpose computer 610. Similarly, images stored on the storage medium 616 may be downloaded to a memory or storage medium of the camera 626. The camera 626 may include a iens system, a sensor unit, and a recording medium.

[00114] The display device 630 may b a computer monitor, such as a cathode ray tube screen, plasma screen, or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The display 630 may receive information from the computer 610 in a conventional manner, wherein the information is presented on the display device 630 for viewing by a user. The display device 630 may optionally be implemented using a touch screen to enable a user to provide input to the general purpose computer 610. The touch screen may be, for example, a capaeitive touch screen, a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic wave touchscreen, or the like.

[00115] The input device 632 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a stylus, drawing tablet, or any combination thereof, for receiving input from a user. The external storage medium 636 may include an external hard disk drive (HDD), an optical drive, a floppy disk drive, a flash drive, or any combination thereof and may be implemented as a single instance or multiple instances of any one or more of those devices. For example, the external storage medium 636 may be implemented as an array of hard disk drives.

[00116] The I/O interfaces 620 facilitate the exchange of information between the general purpose computing device 610 and other computin devices. The I/O interfaces may be implemented using an internal or external modem, an Ethernet connection, or the like, to enable coupling to a transmission medium. In the example of Fig, 6, the I/O interfaces 622 are coupled to a communications network 638 and directly to a computing device 642. The computing device 642 is shown as a personal computer, but may be equally be practised using a smartphone, laptop, or a tablet device. Direct

communication between the general purpose computer 610 and the computing device 642 may be implemented using a wireless or wired transmission link.

[00117] The communications network 638 may be implemented using one or more wired or wireless transmission links and may include, for example, a dedicated communications link, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, a

telecommunications network, or any combination thereof. A telecommunications network may include, but is not limited to, a telephony network, such as a Public Switch Telephony Network (PSTN), a mobile telephone cellular network, a short message service (SMS) network, or any combination thereof. The genera! purpose computer 610 is able to communicate via the communications network 638 to other computing devices connected to the communications network 638, such as the mobile telephone handset 644, the touchscreen smartphone 646, the personal computer 640, and the computing device 642.

[00118] One or more instances of the general purpose computer 610 may be utilised to implement a server to implement one of more functions of a RMOC in accordance with the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the memory 614 and storage 616 are utilised to store data relating to historical work site data and models for modelling and simulation exercises. Software for implementing one or more aspects of the RMOC is stored in one or both of the memory 614 and storage 616 for execution on the processor 612. The software includes computer program code for implementing method steps in accordance with the methods of monitoring live operating data from work sites, modelling scenarios based on at least one of operating data and historical data relating to at least one work site, and generating actions described herein.

[00119] As noted above, each proposed action is associated with a profile that includes a set of operating parameters. In one arrangement, the RMOC further monitors a proposed action that is implemented on a work site, to ensure that the action is operating within the associated set of operating parameters. The set of operating parameters may relate to an acceptable range within which an output of the process must lie. For example, an action relating to an ore extraction process may have a set of operating parameters that relates to the quantity of ore extracted within a predefined period or a percentage of ore extracted from raw materials. Other operating parameters may relate, for example, to operating efficiencies, such as measured downtime, measured uptime, number of alerts, and the like. In one implementation, the RMOC uses a verification module to monitor each proposed action that is implemented on a work site, such as the verification module 558 of Fig, 5,

[00120] The RMOC monitors an implemented action to validate whether the practical results of implementing the action are consistent with the models run by the RMOC. If an action is not operating within an associated set of operating parameters, then staff at the RMOC can investigate to determine whether the action needs to be modified and, if necessary, modify parameters associated with the action, introduce new parameters, or propose a new action .

[00121] Further, the RMOC monitors an implemented action to determine whether an action has operated within an associated set of operating parameters for a predefined time period. If the action has operated within the set of operating parameters for that predefined time period, it is possible that further optimisation of the relevant process may be available by modifying parameters associated with that action.

[00122] In one implementation, all such actions are checked at a predefined interval of time. In an aiternative implementation, a predefined time interval is an action attribute of the profile associated with the respective action. In another alternative implementation, each action is classified into one of a predefined number of classes, wherein related actions are in the same class. In such an implementation, a predefined period of time is assigned to each class. Checking the performance of such actions enables staff to determine whether or not the action is having the desired effect. Further, if an action has been implemented and has always performed within an associated set of operating conditions, or has performed within the set of operating conditions for greater than a predefined operating interval, then the periodic check generates an alert to prompt staff to review the set of operating conditions to ensure that the set of operating conditions is, in fact, optimal for the relevant process.

[00123] Fig. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 700 of monitoring an action proposed by an RMOC. The method begins at a Start step 705 and proceeds to step 710, in which the RMOC proposes an action relating to a work site. As described above in relation to Fig. 3, such a proposed action ma be stored in an actions database 270 for review by staff associated with the relevant work site or staff associated with an operations centre that controls the work site. [00124] Control passes from step 710 to decision step 715, which determines whether or not the proposed action has been implemented on the work site. If the proposed action has not been implemented, No, control loops to decision step 715. In one

implementation, a first timer may be implemented such that the RMOC checks for whether the proposed action has been impiemented periodically in accordance with the first timer.

[00125] If decision step 715 determines that the proposed action has been implemented at the work site, Yes, control passes to step 720, which periodically conducts a check of the action in accordance with a second timer. Such a periodic check of the implemented action may be performed by a verification module 558 of a RMOC 550, as described above with reference to Fig. 5. In such an implementation, a computer program executing on a processor receives live data pertaining to an implemented action and automatically compares the received live data with a stored profile associated with the implemented action. Thus, the verification module 558 executes in the background and periodically compares, for each implemented action or a set of implemented actions, live operating data with a stored profile corresponding to each respective action.

[00126] Decision step 725 determines whether the action is producing a desired result by operating within a set of operating parameters. If the action is not operating in accordanc with the set of operating parameters, No, controi passes to step 730, which issues an alert for staff at the RMOC to review parameters associated with the action. Controi passes from step 730 to step 735, in which the staff at the RMOC determine new parameters for the action. New parameters for the action may include disabling the action, if it is determined that the action is not working as desired and either cannot be modified suitably or can be replaced by an alternative action. Control passes from step 735 and returns to step 710, in which the RMOC proposes a new action based on the new parameters determined in step 735.

[00127] Returning to decision step 725, if the action is operating within the set of operating parameters, Yes, control passes from decision step 725 to a further decision step 740, which determines whether a third timer has exceeded a predefined threshold. The predefined threshold represents a time period at which a successfully implemented action is reviewed in order to determine whether further efficiencies can be identified.

[00128] in one arrangement, the predefined threshold is consistent across all actions proposed by the RMOC. In an alternative arrangement, the predefined threshold is unique to each action and forms an action attribute of the profile associated with the action. In a further arrangement, each action has an associated threshoid and the RMOC further imposes a global threshold. For example, an action relating to a copper flotation cell has an associated threshoid of 3 months, to force the RMOC to review successful operation of that action on a 3 monthly basis. In addition to that 3 month threshold, the RMOC implements a global threshoid of 12 months, such that every implemented action is reviewed on a 12 monthly basis.

[00129] If at decision step 740 the timer has not exceeded the predefined threshoid, No, control returns to step 720. However, if at decision step 740 the timer has exceeded the predefined threshold, Yes, then control passes to step 745, which resets the timer, and then to step 730 for the staff at the RMOC to review parameters associated with the action.

[00130] If a process to which an action has been applied operates outside the operating parameters associated with the action, then the relevant work site transmits an alert to the associated operations centre. An alert may be an audible or visual afert. Such an aiert may form part of the operating data generated by the work site, in which case the operating data encompassing the alert is also transmitted to the RMOC, Thus, the RMOC is able to monitor the effect of any actions that are implemented in a work site serviced by that RMOC.

[00131] Thus, a RMOC receives a constant flow of select data in relation to one or more supported work sites. The RMOC may have one or more models running

contemporaneously on an analytics module, wherein each mode! is a dynamic optimising construct. Each model is used to investigate, analyse, and characterise aspects of processes that constitute the workflow of the supported work sites. As noted above, the models may be used to simulate a process or part of a process of the workflow itself or alternatively the models may be used to investigate and test hypotheses postulated by staff at the RMOC to improve a process performed at one of the supported work sites.

[00132] The models may be run with live operating data from a work site to monitor the efficiency of a selected process and test the effects of modifying characterising aspects of the selected process. If the modification of those aspects is determined to be beneficial to the execution of the process, then staff at the RMOC generate a proposed action to implement a set of controls to effect the modified aspects, such that, when implemented, the set of controls result in the selected process operating within a predefined set of operating parameters. The operating parameters may be improved upon, over time, through further monitoring and modelling. The models thus may be used to monitor and improve performance of the supported work sites, whereby each supported work site relies on constant monitoring, evaluation, and actions from the RMOC to maintain and improve operational efficiency of that work site.

[001333 in one example, a work site relates to a copper flotation plant that is serviced by an operations centre and an RMOC. Operations staff at the operations centre monitor and control the day to day operation of the copper flotation plant. In this example, the operations staff notice that performance of a flotation circuit is of concern and send a notification to the RMOC advising of their concerns.

[00134] The RMOC staff receive the notification and create an analytical tool to examine the flotation circuit. The analytical tool may be based, for example, one or more models stored in the models database 365. The RMOC staff select a portion of operating data received from the flotation plant that relates to the flotation circuit under investigation. Depending on the implementation, the RMOC staff configure one or more displays to present the selected operating data in a desired manner. The RMOC staff optionally look at historical data relating to the flotation circuit and a set of optimal operating data relating to the flotation circuit,

[00135] The RMOC staff use the selected operating data, historical data, optimal operating data, test data, or any combination thereof to examine the flotation circuit at any level of detail. Thus, the RMOC staff can examine the overall process implemented by the flotation circuit or alternatively drill down to investigate fine details relating to a sub-component of the flotation circuit process, limited only by the constraints of the available data.

[00136] Based on the analysis of the selected data, the RMOC staff identify one or more opportunities to improve the performance of the flotation circuit. In this example, the RMOC staff examine the identified opportunities and select one or more of those opportunities for further development, which may include creating and testing models relating to those opportunities. Any models can be tested using available data, including the live operating data from the flotation plant.

[00137] The RMOC staff use the models to develop one or more proposed actions for improving the performance of the flotation circuit. Each action is associated with a profile, wherein the profile includes a set of action attributes for implementing the action and monitoring the action.

[001383 The MOC staff store each proposed action in an actions database 370. A notification is then sent to either one or both of operations staff at the operations centre and staff at the work site, who decide whether or not to imptement each proposed action. If an action is to be implemented, the relevant staff make the required changes to implement the action. When an implemented action fails to operate within an associated set of operating parameters, a data sentinel triggers an alert to one or more of the work site staff, the operations staff, and the RMOC staff.

[00139] The RMOC staff optionally monitor each deployed action to ensure that the action results in performance that is within a set of operating parameters associated with that action. Further, the RMOC staff optionally implement periodic checks to investigate those actions that have operated within a relevant set of operating parameters for a predefined period. This enables the RMOC staff to determine whether or not the action is still required or whether the action can be further improved.

Industrial Applicability

[00140] The arrangements described are applicable to processing industries and particularly for the mining, transport, oil, gas, and food production industries.

[00141] The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

[00142] In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" and its associated grammatical constructions mean "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including" and not "consisting only of" Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

[00143] As used throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives "first", "second", 'third", "fourth", etc., to describe common or related objects, indicates that reference is being made to different instances of those common or related objects, and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be provided or positioned in a given order or sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. [00144] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those sktlted in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

We claim:

1. A remote monitoring and optimisation centre comprising:

an analytics module for facilitating analysis of the at least one seiected process based on the received operating data, and further adapted to facilitate development of a proposed action to improve the at least one selected process or a related process to the at least one seiected process, said analytics module including:

a workflow circuit representing a workflow at the work site, each process of the workflow being represented by a node of the workflow circuit, wherein the analytics module is operable to display a visual representation of the workflow circuit on a visual display, each node of the workflow circuit being selectable by a user to select a process of the work site; and

a database for storing said proposed action in a set of dep!oyable actions.

2. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre according to claim 1, further comprising:

a database of models configured for execution on a processor, each mode! being a mathematical function characterising at least one of an aspect of a seiected workflow and a transformation of a set of process inputs to generate a process control output;

wherein development of said proposed action is based on at least one of said models.

3. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre according to either one of

claims 1 and 2, wherein the analytics module is operable to display at least one of live, historical, and alternative states of the workflow at the work site.

4. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the database is accessible by a control centre of the work site to retrieve said proposed action for consideration.

5. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

a first storage device for storing historical data relating to said work site;

wherein said analysis by said analytics module of the at least one seiected process is based on said historical data.

6. The remote monitoring and optimisation centr according to any one of claims I to 5, further comprising a monitoring module for monitoring implemented actions on said work site, said implemented actions being derived from said set of deployable actions, wherein said monitoring module generates an alert when an implemented action is operating outside an associated set of operating conditions.

7. The remote monitoring and optimisation centre according to claim 6, wherein said monitoring module generates an alert when an implemented action operates within an associated set of operating conditions for a predefined period of time.

8. A method of generating a deployable action in relation to a process undertaken at a work site, the method comprising the steps of:

generating operating data at said work site in relation to said process;

analysing at said remote monitoring and operations centre said operating data together with one or more of histortca! data of the work site, operating data from another work site, historical data of another work site, and ideal data;

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising the further steps of;

displaying a visual representation of a workflow circuit representing a workflow at the work site, each process of the workflow being represented by a node of the workfiow circuit; and

selecting a node of said workflow circuit to select a corresponding process of the workflow to be improved;

wherein said analysing uses operating data relating to said selected process.

10. The method of either one of claims 8 and 9, wherein said step of generating a proposed action includes the following step: applying a model to at least one of the operating data, historical data of the work site, operating data from another work site, historical data of another work site, and ideal data to determine the operating parameters of the proposed action, wherein said model is a mathematical function characterising at least one of an aspect of a selected workflow and a transformation of a set of process inputs to generate a process control output.

11. The method according to any one of ciaims 8 to 10, wherein said profile further includes a predefined periodic check interval, said method comprising the further steps of: deploying said proposed action in relation to said process at said work site;

monitoring said process on a regular basis determined by said periodic check interval; and

generating an alert when said deployed action is outside said associated operating parameters.

12. A method of generating a proposed action in relation to a process undertaken at a work site, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a proposed action for consideration by an operations centre of the work site, the proposed action for at least partially realizing the proposed improvement.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the proposed action is associated with a profile, said profile including a set of action attributes containing proposed operating parameters for at least one process of said workflow, wherein said set of proposed operating parameters are based on said characteristics of said proposed improvement.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said profile further includes a ranking to identify a level of importance of that action.

15. The method according to either one of claims 13 or 14, wherein said profile further includes a ranking indicating that the action is a pre-approved action for automatic implementation at the work site.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a step of receiving operating data and other process data relating to one or more process conducted at a second work site, independent of said work site, and wherein said analysing step further analyses the operation data and other process data relating to the one or more process conducted at the second work site.