AU2016250439A1 - Mine planning system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system of generating a mine plan for a site. A single environment and single interface are preferably provided to create a geological model, input mine plan variables, generate a draft schedule, validate the schedule, and output the mine plan for the site. The method and system obtain and process necessary inputs before automatically generating a mine plan and schedule in real-time, or at least near real-time, which reduces manual handling and processing, and hence the time taken to generate a suitable mine plan and schedule. o o 0 C |9 oN m

Description

2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -1 -

MINE PLANNING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a mine planning system and method. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a mine planning system and method that obtains and processes necessary inputs before automatically generating a mine plan and schedule in real-time, or at least near real-time, to significantly reduce intermediate manual handling and processing, and hence the time taken to generate a suitable mine plan and schedule.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.

[0003] Planning for mineral and resource extraction from a site, e.g. a mine site, is typically a time consuming process with many steps and inputs being required to create a mine plan and schedule. Computers are increasingly being used to assist with generating a mine plan and schedule and as a result planning of ore extraction activities in mining environments using computers has evolved since applications available in the early 1990s.

[0004] Notably, the business environment today is demanding higher levels of integration with external systems, allowing rapid response to events occurring within separate operations. This level of processing capability and integration infrastructure is not available in current mine planning applications which are 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -2- predominantly disparate desktop applications from a number of different vendors.

[0005] As more and more information becomes available, the data volumes requiring processing can exceed available software and hardware resources. Typically, desktop applications transfer all data into a local memory space and process it in a sequential linear process. This results in poor performance, with little scalability in terms of the size of the models developed by those products.

[0006] A typical process starts with mine planners consolidate large amounts of data. As a result of the long time periods required to process this data, datasets are often predetermined or ‘frozen’ to ensure that a consistent result can be achieved, and that rework is minimised. This frequently results in mine plans that are out-of-date, even whilst they are still being created. As such mine plans often take weeks or months to create, a situation that may be suitable for long-term business planning but not short-term operational planning can arise. Final plans are usually manually entered into spreadsheet and paper based systems for execution.

[0007] The mine plan may be updated periodically based on mining requirements, from daily to annual updates. Mine planners generate a mine layout which indicates where mining activities will take place. Several export, import, and manual analysis steps are performed which are rudimentary (often data is transferred in simple ‘comma separated values’ (CSV) format) and time consuming. In rare instances a mine plan may be validated against a haulage simulation model, but this is often omitted because of technology and time 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -3- constraints. Furthermore, changes in the underlying geological model or other supporting information is usually not incorporated into the model unless the impact of the new data is known to be significant.

[0008] For at least the above identified reasons, mine plans take a significant amount of time and resources to generate, are often based on limited or out of date data, require manual handling including exporting and importing data in different formats which can introduce errors, and are usually not validated. Such factors not only reduce efficiency and increase costs, but also can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the mine plan.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an aim of this invention to provide a mine planning system and method which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

[0010] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011 ] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a method of generating a mine plan for a site, the method comprising the steps of: creating a geological model of the site; inputting mine plan variables, including the geological model, into a mine plan generator; 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -4- generating a draft schedule using the mine plan generator; validating the draft schedule; and once validated, outputting a mine plan for the site.

[0012] If the draft schedule is not validated, the method may further comprise the steps of adjusting at least one of the input variables, generating a new draft schedule, and validating the new draft schedule.

[0013] Preferably the step of generating a draft schedule using the mine plan generator comprises the sub-steps of: generating a proposed mine layout, calculating geological quantities, performing mine scheduling, optimising material blending, and/or simulating haulage. Preferably the mine plan generator generates the draft schedule in real-time, or at least near real-time. Preferably the step of generating a draft schedule comprises asynchronous processing. Preferably the step of generating a draft schedule comprises utilising theoretical efficiencies to determine estimated production over at least one predetermined time period.

[0014] Preferably the mine plan generator includes blend optimisation. Preferably the blend optimisation utilises linear programming principles to determine a destination for planned material extraction. Preferably the mine plan generator includes discrete event simulation. Preferably the discrete event simulation utilises stochastic variables. Preferably the discrete event simulation is utilised to validate that mine infrastructure can move materials as scheduled.

[0015] Preferably the mine plan generator is a single environment. Preferably the mine plan generator has a single interface. 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -5- [0016] Preferably the geological mode of the site is created by a geologist. Preferably the steps of inputting variables, generating a draft schedule, and/or validating the draft schedule are co-ordinated by a mine planning engineer.

[0017] The method may further comprise the step of configuring the geological model of the site prior to inputting it into the mine plan generator.

[0018] Preferably the method further comprises the step of updating the draft schedule as changes occur to the site. Preferably step of updating the draft schedule as changes occur to the site comprises reconstructing a topographical surface of at least a portion of the site. Preferably the reconstruction is a 3D reconstruction.

[0019] Preferably the method comprises updating the mine plan. Preferably the step of updating the mine plan comprises inputting updated mine plan variables into the mine plan generator. The method may further comprise updating geometries. The method may further comprise checking geometry proximities when any geometries are updated. Preferably the geometry proximities are accounted for when updating the mine plan.

[0020] In another form, there is provided a system of generating a mine plan for a site, the system comprising: a mine plan generator environment having a user interface, the mine plan generator environment being configured to: receive input data from a user via the interface; generate a mine layout; calculate geological qualities; 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -6- calculate mine scheduling; and output a draft mine plan schedule; wherein the input data includes at least mine plan variables and a geological model, and the draft mine plan schedule, once validated, forms the mine plan for the site.

[0021 ] Preferably the mine plan generator environment is also configured to optimise material blending. Preferably the mine plan generator environment is also configured to perform haulage simulations. Preferably the mine plan generator environment is configured to operate asynchronously.

[0022] Preferably the user interface is a single user interface on a client device. Preferably the system comprises a client device in communication with at least one server. Preferably the client device comprises a workstation, laptop, or tablet. Preferably the single interface is provided on the client device. Preferably both the client device and server contain a mine planning model for the mine site. Preferably the client device and/or sever contain an in-memory mine planning model for the mine site. Preferably as one model is updated the other model is updated. Preferably once the client device model is updated the user interface on the client model is updated.

[0023] Preferably the system comprises a selective data retrieval mechanism between the client device and the at least one server. Preferably the system is configured to allow multiple client devices each interacting with the server using a respective interface. Preferably as one client device makes 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 7 - any changes that would affect the draft mine plan schedule, the server updates the other client devices with any relevant changes.

[0024] In another form, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program causing a computer to execute mine plan generation for a mine site, the mine plan generation comprising: receiving a geological model of the site and mine plan variables in a single interface; creating or updating an existing in-memory model of the mine site; transmitting data to a server configured to calculate a draft mine plan schedule; receiving draft mine plan schedule data from the server; updating the in-memory model of the mine site; and outputting a mine plan comprising the draft mine plan schedule.

[0025] Preferably the mine plan generation comprises calculating quality information relating to the in-memory model. Preferably the mine plan generation comprises calculating quality information using multi-threaded computing resources of the computer.

[0026] Preferably the server is configured to calculating optimised material blending. Preferably the server is configured to perform a resource simulation. Preferably the server determines whether calculated schedules are feasible. Preferably the server is configured to perform calculations asynchronously.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -8-

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: [0029] Figure 1 illustrates a flow chart for a typical mine planning process; [0030] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart for an example method and system of planning a mine according to an aspect of the invention; [0031] Figure 3 illustrates an example system architecture; [0032] Figure 4 illustrates an example user interface; [0033] Figure 5 illustrates a diagrammatic view of example system inputs and outputs; [0034] Figure 6 illustrates a flow chart for an example refresh sequence; [0035] Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart for an example data flow used to update a mine plan; and [0036] Figure 8 illustrates a diagrammatic view of an example asynchronous processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a typical (prior art) workflow of certain mine planning processes. Firstly, a mining requirements 500 are determined by a mine planning user 10 and a preliminary mine plan is created. The preliminary mine plan may be updated periodically, e.g. daily to annually. The mine 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -9- planning user 10 generates a mine layout 501 which indicates where mining activities will take place.

[0038] When completed the generated mine layout 501 is exported 502 to a generalised file format which is the sent to a geological user 20. The geological user 20 creates a separate geological model 507 of the site and calculates geological qualities 508 using the geological model 507 and the exported layout 502 from the mine planning user. The calculated geological qualities 508 are then imported 503 to a scheduling application, after which the mine planning user 502 can perform mine scheduling 504. The mine schedule is periodically validated 505. Depending on that validation 505, design changes can be recommended which can result in the mine layout 501 being updated. In rare instances the mine plan is validated against a haulage simulation model 506, but this is often omitted due to technological and time constraints.

[0039] Any change in the underlying geological model 507, or any other supporting information, is usually not incorporated unless the impact of the new data is known to be significant. The time required 510 for a typical mine planning process as illustrated in figure 1 to result in a mine plan that can be authorised is usually weeks or even months.

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates a mine planning process according to an aspect of the invention. The mine planning user 10 works in a single environment 604 where all required information is available in one interface. As changes are made in each of the various components, the schedule is immediately validated 605. This process is, relatively, instantaneous with the time required 603 to 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -10 - result in a mine plan that can be authorised being seconds or minutes (as opposed to weeks or months).

[0041] The geological user 20 creates a geological model 601 of the site which is configured 602 by an administrator 30. This is typically automatically made available to mine planning users 10 as new information is created by other disciplines which results in an always up-to-date environment where the mine plan utilizes the latest information available. Data management activities are moved away from the mine planning users 10, giving them more time to focus on engineering decisions rather than data formatting, importing, exporting, addressing compatibility issues, etc.

[0042] The dynamic real-time, or at least near real-time, planning solution of preferred aspects of the present invention are based on a service oriented architecture, enabling distributed processing, and re-use of core logic within applications.

[0043] Figure 3 illustrates a conceptual view of a system architecture. The application is predominantly server based with the bulk of the processing and storage capability being hosted in a remote server environment comprising a distributed storage system 101 and an application server 102.

[0044] A primary user interface 100 is hosted on a client device such as a workstation, laptop, tablet, or the like, and comprises a 3D graphical design environment with various user information dashboards detailing the status of a mine plan. An example user interface is illustrated in Figure 4. The user interface 100 component comprises software infrastructure as of a conventional 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 11 - application with additional 3D geometrical algorithms 105 that are used in the calculation of mining volumes as the user plans the extraction of material.

[0045] A configuration interface 114 is provided merely to configure the system. Access to both the primary user interface and the configuration interface is controlled through an application authorisation service 115 located on the application server 102.

[0046] The application server 102 hosts all service components, which are managed by a service manager 103. The service manager 103 is configured to ensure all services supporting the application are in a healthy state, and coordinates the connection of client user interfaces 100 to the appropriate service. All communication with the application services hosted by the application server 102 are passed through an event controller 104. The event controller 104, synchronises incoming requests from various sources, and broadcasts updates to relevant components. The event controller 104 also initiates updates to the distributed storage system 101 and to integration services 110 which are used to transfer information to any external services 113.

[0047] A dynamic planning service 112 is a master container of application logic and memory allocation. An in-memory model represents the current state of the mine planning model. When updated by the event controller 104, the dynamic planning service 112 initiates asynchronous recalculations of the model using the scheduling service 106, linear programming optimization service 107, and discrete event simulation service 108. The discrete event 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 12- simulation service 108 is reliant on the equipment travel time service 109 for additional calculation parameters. The event controller 104 is typically part of the dynamic planning service 112, but is represented separately in figure 3 for clarity.

[0048] Data transfer between the application server 101 and the client on a selective transfer mechanism 116 which ensures that only relevant spatial information is transferred to each client session. The spatial data manager 111 is responsible for the extraction of spatial information from the distributed storage system 101 and then providing this data to client devices.

[0049] Before any sessions can be established from a user interface 100, a service manager 103 is instructed to initiate an instance of the dynamic planning service 112. The instance of the dynamic planning service 112 is started up in the context of a configuration created in the configuration toolset 114, after which any number of clients can connect to the Dynamic planning service 112.

[0050] Turning to figure 5, the system 151 utilises availability of various configured data sets to be used during the planning process. Each dataset is specific to a mine and mining method, but typically includes an interpretation of the geology, the current state of the topology, available resourcing and design parameters as indicated generally by numeral 150 in figure 5. These data sets culminate within the system 151, allowing a user to create a final plan 152 of resource (e.g. ore) extraction activities. 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 -13- [0051 ] Figure 6 illustrates a refresh sequence to introduce new data into the system without user participation. For each required dataset a configuration item is created 202, which is then referenced as each dataset 201 is processed. Integration services 110 (see figure 3) make use of an event queue that is used to receive data and other notifications from external systems. When new data originates on the queue 203, it is matched to available configuration items and processed 205 or a failure message may be sent to the event monitor 204 for further action.

[0052] Once processed the new data is stored in the application’s data store 206 and distributed data store 207, and an event controller 208 is notified that new information is available. A dynamic planning manager 209 does a data refresh of the in-memory model and retrieves the data from the date store 207, after which the user gets access to the updated data 210. This process happens in real-time, or at least near real-time, providing the user with instant feedback.

[0053] Figure 7 illustrates the primary data flow used to update a mine plan. The user application comprises a single user interface (300), and a client side processor (320), which manages events, memory, and calculation logic. The user interface is a 3D graphics interface with various data visualization components 301 used by a mine planning user to deliver a final plan. Each action within the user interface 300 results in an update of the client side processor 320 and of the data visualisation components 301. 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 14- [0054] The user requests a connection 302 to the previously initiated dynamic planning service 112 and a client model is initiated 303. The user digitises mesh objects in a 3D space 304 to represent mining activities. As each of these objects is created or modified 308, the in-memory model 321 is updated. An asynchronous process calculates geological quality information 322, after which the model is updated 325 and the client-side event controller 323 is notified that a data change has occurred. The user interface 300 is updated 326 with the new geological quality information, which refreshes information dashboards 301.

[0055] The user then selects resources to execute mining activities 305 and assigns them to the mesh objects 306, or modifies an existing assignment 309. The in-memory model 321 is updated, and data is then sent asynchronously to the client-side event controller 323, which transfers the request to the server-side event controller 331.

[0056] The server-side event controller 331 arbitrates multiple incoming requests and updates the memory model 332. A number of potential calculation services, such as schedule information 333, optimised material blending 334, and resource simulation 335, are utilised to determine a final schedule, which is then checked for validity 336. Once the final schedule has been determined, the in-memory model 337 is updated, and the server-side event controller notified to broadcast the changes to all connected clients 338. The storage system is also updated with any changes 339. Once the client- 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 15 - side event controller receives update data 324 the memory model is updated 325 and then the user interface updated 326.

[0057] The user can decide to publish the plan 307 which will make it available to integration services 340. The server-side event controller 338 initiates transmission of the plan which is received by the integration service 345. A new integration dataset is created or an existing one updated 342, which is then submitted to a enterprise event queue 343 for consumption by external systems 350.

[0058] A new or updated outgoing dataset is created 344 by converting data that is in a mine planning format used by mine planning systems to a data integration format which is more suitable for data integration purposes. This data format is usually aligned to a standard chosen by an organisation to enable cross application communication.

[0059] Figure 8 illustrates an asynchronous processing system utilised to enable real time responsiveness of the user interface. A dynamic planning service 400 interacts with a number of services in order to generate a final planning figure. These can all be utilised sequentially like the scheduling 406, simulation 405, and optimisation 404 algorithms, implemented as services hosted by a server environment, or as ad-hoc processes like integration services 403 used to transfer information to external applications. The geological quality algorithms 408 are implemented using client side multithreading, as the data volume required is significant, which impacts on performance if transferred to the dynamic planning service 400. The 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 16 - configuration 402 and user interface 407 use a standard transfer protocol to send commands to an event controller 401 requesting an update to the service.

[0060] The event controller 401 is required to manage the state of multiple asynchronous requests, and ensures that the in-memory objects are correctly updated and that responses are transmitted to interested subscribers.

[0061] It should be appreciated that the invention does not necessarily require a specific implementation of asynchronous processing, but rather it is considered to be a technology that particularly suits the problem being addressed. A primary requirement is that the user experience is not affected by underlying calculation requirements, and that information is returned to the user once it has been updated.

[0062] Advantageously, the invention allows a mine plan for a site to be created, and preferably validated, in a very short space of time. By having mine plan updates occurring in minutes, or less, as opposed to weeks and months, significantly shortens time and costs in obtaining and approving a suitable mine plan. Additionally, the mine plan can be updated as site topography changes. Accordingly, the output mine plan is typically more accurate and considered, because the significant burden and associated delays of updating a draft mine plan are avoided.

[0063] If multiple users are interacting with the same mine plan simultaneously then updates caused by one user can be propagated to the other users while they are working on it. This allows users to see the results of 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 17- any interactions that other users are having with the mine plan in a timely manner.

[0064] Although the invention has been described primarily in relation to mining ore, or the like, from a mine site, it will be appreciated that the invention could be used to for other extraction activities including, for example, hydrocarbons, or the like.

[0065] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0066] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present 2016250439 27 Oct 2016 - 18- invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0067] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of generating a mine plan for a site, the method comprising the steps of: creating a geological model of the site; inputting mine plan variables, including the geological model, into a mine plan generator; generating a draft schedule using the mine plan generator; validating the draft schedule; and once validated, outputting a mine plan for the site.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of adjusting at least one of the input variables, generating a new draft schedule, and validating the new draft schedule until the draft schedule is validated.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the step of generating a draft schedule using the mine plan generator comprises one or more of the substeps of: generating a proposed mine layout, calculating geological quantities, performing mine scheduling, optimising material blending, and simulating haulage.

4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mine plan generator generates the draft schedule in real-time, or at least near real-time.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of generating a draft schedule comprises asynchronous processing.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of generating a draft schedule comprises utilising theoretical efficiencies to determine estimated production over at least one predetermined time period.

7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mine plan generator includes blend optimisation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the blend optimisation utilises linear programming principles to determine a destination for planned material extraction.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mine plan generator includes discrete event simulation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the discrete event simulation utilises stochastic variables to validate that mine infrastructure can move materials as scheduled.

11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mine plan generator is a single environment with a single interface.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of configuring the geological model of the site prior to inputting it into the mine plan generator.

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of updating the draft schedule as changes occur to the site including reconstructing a topographical surface of at least a portion of the site.

14. A system of generating a mine plan for a site, the system comprising: a mine plan generator environment having a user interface, the mine plan generator environment being configured to: receive input data from a user via the interface; generate a mine layout; calculate geological qualities; calculate mine scheduling; and output a draft mine plan schedule; wherein the input data includes at least mine plan variables and a geological model, and the draft mine plan schedule, once validated, forms the mine plan for the site.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the mine plan generator comprises calculating quality information relating to the in-memory model.

16. The system of claim 14 or 15, wherein the mine plan generator comprises calculating quality information using multi-threaded computing resources of the computer.

17. The system of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the server is configured to calculate optimised material blending.

18. The system of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the server is configured to perform a resource simulation.

19 The system of any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the server determines whether calculated schedules are feasible.

20 The system of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the server is configured to perform calculations asynchronously.