Sh. Rahimi; M. Ataee-pour; H. Madani
Abstract
Methane has been known as a safety risk for the coal mining activities. Accordingly, one can mitigate this risk, and hence, the level of hazard to which the mining workers are exposed, by predicting the possible exceedance of allowable methane dosage should be provided with a reliable information on ...
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Methane has been known as a safety risk for the coal mining activities. Accordingly, one can mitigate this risk, and hence, the level of hazard to which the mining workers are exposed, by predicting the possible exceedance of allowable methane dosage should be provided with a reliable information on the distribution of methane across the working face considering the uncertainties associated with the gas content of such deposits. In this work, the gas content uncertainty in a coal seam is first investigated using the geo-statistical simulation. Then a method is proposed in order to predict methane gas emission based on the Monte Carlo random simulation method. Next, the results obtained are introduced into a 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to estimate the methane distribution considering the uncertainty associated with the gas content. Defined as zones where the methane concentration is so high that an explosion is much likely to occur, the elevated methane zones (EMZs) are delineated across the working faces. The results obtained show that UGC has an impact on the ventilation parameters and EMZs. The proposed method could be carried out in order to guide the ventilation design in improving safety.
M. Shenavar; M. Ataee-pour; M. Rahmanpour
Abstract
The uncertainty-based mine evaluation and optimization have been regarded as a critical issue. However, it has received less attention in the underground mines than in the open-pit mines due to the diversity of the underground mining methods, and the underground mining parameters' complexity. The grade ...
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The uncertainty-based mine evaluation and optimization have been regarded as a critical issue. However, it has received less attention in the underground mines than in the open-pit mines due to the diversity of the underground mining methods, and the underground mining parameters' complexity. The grade and commodity price uncertainties play essential roles in mining projects. Mine planning by not incorporating these uncertainties is accompanied by risks. The evaluation and risk assessment of the mine plans is possible through evaluating the mineable reserve in the presence of such uncertainties. In the present work, we evaluate the effects of grade and commodity price uncertainties on the underground mining stope optimization and the resultant mineable reserve. In this regard, the stope boundary is studied both deterministically and stochastically in the presence of the grade and price uncertainties. For this purpose, in this work, we implement the conditional simulation in order to generate equally probable ore reserve models. Furthermore, we optimize the stope boundary using the floating-stope algorithm in each realization. Several decision support criteria including the 'mineable reserve,' 'metal-content,' 'profit,' and 'value-at-risk' are defined to assist the decision-maker in uncertain conditions. Finally, a procedure is defined in order to consider two types of uncertainty sources simultaneously in underground mining. It will guide the decision-maker toward the most appropriate stope boundary that best fits the mining company's requirements. The procedure is implemented in a bauxite mine, and the optimal stope boundary is determined concerning the different criteria.
M. Shenavar; M. Ataee-pour; M. Rahmanpour
Abstract
Production scheduling in underground mines is still a manual process, and achieving a truly optimal result through manual scheduling is impossible due to the complexity of the scheduling problems. Among the underground mining methods, sub-level caving is a common mining method with a high production ...
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Production scheduling in underground mines is still a manual process, and achieving a truly optimal result through manual scheduling is impossible due to the complexity of the scheduling problems. Among the underground mining methods, sub-level caving is a common mining method with a high production rate for hard rock mining. There are limited studies about long-term production scheduling in the sub-level caving method. In this work, for sub-level caving production scheduling optimization, a new mathematical model with the objective of net present value (NPV) maximization is developed. The general technical and operational constraints of the sub-level caving method such as opening and developments, production capacity, sub-level mining geometry, and ore access are considered in this model. Prior to the application of the scheduling model, the block model is processed to remove the unnecessary blocks. For this purpose, the floating stope algorithm is applied in order to determine the ultimate mine boundary and reduce the number of blocks that consequently reduces the running time of the model. The model is applied to a bauxite mine block model and the maximum NPV is determined, and then the mine development network is designed based on the optimal schedule.
Z. Rezaei; M. Ataee-pour; H. Madani
Abstract
Providing a fresh and cool airflow in underground mines is one of the main concerns during mining. Destruction of support systems, the presence of undesirable objects in the airway and distortion of airflow are the parameters involved that would result in pressure loss, which would affect the ventilation ...
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Providing a fresh and cool airflow in underground mines is one of the main concerns during mining. Destruction of support systems, the presence of undesirable objects in the airway and distortion of airflow are the parameters involved that would result in pressure loss, which would affect the ventilation network. There are a lot of research works about the ventilation network planning that consider the confidence in the planning but how reliable are these designs? These questions can be answered using the quantitative reliability evaluation. For the reliability evaluation of mine ventilation network, tunnel resistance and flow rate changes for all branches are considered as the reliability indices and criteria. This paper describes a stepwise method for evaluation of the underground coal mine network reliability associated with major losses using the cut set method. The reliability of the entire network is achieved by the reliability of every single component. The proposed model is implemented by the Takht coal mine. The Takht mine ventilation network probability of failure is in the range of 19-100% so reliability is in the range of 0-81% for the entire ventilation network.
