Australia s Response To The Chile Technological Roadmap In Mining : The University of Queensland Experience

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Australia s Response To The Chile Technological Roadmap In Mining : The University of Queensland Experience"

Vivien Miller
5 years ago
Views:

1 Australia s Response To The Chile Technological Roadmap In Mining : The University of Queensland Experience CHALLENGE 1: Underground mining: Development of large-scale deep mining Professor and Chair In Minerals Industry Engagement (UQ ) Program Leader Mass Underground Mining SMIBRC 1

Disclaimer This presentation shows the outcomes of a series of international collaborative studies managed by the author in collaboration with senior technical representatives from a number of the

2 Disclaimer This presentation shows the outcomes of a series of international collaborative studies managed by the author in collaboration with senior technical representatives from a number of the international major mining companies since The presentation presents generic challenges and how different countries are preparing themselves for the future deep mining challenges 1. The Mass Mining Technology (MMT) 2. The Supercaves Scoping Study 3. Geology and Mass Mining (GMM) 4. The Next Generation Cave Mining 2

3 The 1970s Mining Dilemma Courtesy of Codelco

THE OUTCOMES LHD equipment introduced to handle

introduced This became the basis or platform for

4 THE OUTCOMES LHD equipment introduced to handle big rocks from caving of Primary Ore New mining layout (panel) introduced including support systems to suit Underground primary ore crushers introduced This became the basis or platform for CONTEMPORARY block and panel cave mining: 1980s to Current 4

5 THE EMERGING DILEMMA The changing mining environment 5

6 Mining rapidly moving into new and uncertain scenarios Depletion of near surface deposits Increasing discoveries of Deeper Deposits, very large porphyry systems and generally with Lower average Grades Increasing demand for production from Mass underground mining sources to supplement Mass surface mining sources (e.g. copper, gold, molybdenum) Deposits in conditions with potentially higher Geo-Risks (complex geology, very high geothermal conditions, high stresses) Environmental constraints (License to Operate) and associated legislations Stricter demands for better Energy and Water management or utilisation Developing new mining projects under Capital Constraint 6

7 A 2014 Keynote Address Technical Economical Operational Productivity Licence to operate Human capital 7

8 FUTURE DEED MASS MINING OPTIONS Deep pits (beyond a 1000 m to 1800m) Transition from large open pits to cave mining Deep Cave Mining Systems (down to 2000m) In-Situ Recovery (Hard Copper ores) 8

9 Depth of Cave Mining (The Vision) 9

10 Deep Mass Underground Mining Cave mining systems The future for metal production. Potentially viable methods for extracting low grade, deep and massive ores profitably (and Safely) 10

11 Specific Future Generic challenges 1. Cave mining at depths of 1000m 2000m (stresses and temperatures) 2. Cost and time for acquiring dependable deposit knowledge for mine design 3. Time to access deep orebodies (access development) and to establish cave mines (large footprint development) 4. Escalating and unsustainable mining costs (CAPEX and OPEX) 5. Access to mining investments (constrained capital) 6. Geo-Hazards: cave mining in complex geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological and high geothermal settings outside current experience (sever damage, collapses and rock bursts) 7. License to operate 8. Human capital (shortage of young people with interest in mining) The mass mining industry (cave mining) must change (Flores 2014 & Chitombo 2014) 11

12 THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY RESPONSE TO ENVISAGED CHALLENGES Via EU Countries Via Canada (CEMI) Via Nordic Countries Via Australia (UQ SMIBRC) 12

Via EU Countries 2012-2016 The Project is an initiative focused on the Technological Challenges the mining industry is currently facing

13 Via EU Countries The Project is an initiative focused on the Technological Challenges the mining industry is currently facing including the exploitation of ever deeper deposits and the aspiration of an invisible, safe, zero impact mine PRESS RELEASE

14 Via Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) Canada CEMI aims to solve one of the most critical challenges facing the deep underground mining industry: how to manage the impacts of rock-related stress issues in mining ultra-deep ore bodies (ultra-deep is mining below 8000ft). How to optimize frack treatments (using fluids under high pressure to create cracks in rocks & exploit hydrocarbon reserves more effectively and economically), and potentially lower significant capital and operating costs of resource extraction. 14

Via the Nordic ROCKTECH Centre Sweden The Nordic Rock Tech Centre AB (RTC) is seeking to identify and solve rock technology problems for the mining industry through

15 Via the Nordic ROCKTECH Centre Sweden The Nordic Rock Tech Centre AB (RTC) is seeking to identify and solve rock technology problems for the mining industry through collaborative projects. A significant emphasis is placed upon the transfer of solutions to practical, hard rock applications for the benefit of the project consortia members. 15

Via SMIBRC An SMIBRC current global initiative under final stages of development: This will mark the start of a series of research and development activities needed

16 Via SMIBRC An SMIBRC current global initiative under final stages of development: This will mark the start of a series of research and development activities needed to transform the cave mining industry focusing on Block (conventional and macro), Panel, Inclined, Front and Sublevel caving. First Project (Horizon 1):

17 Cave Mining 2040 This consortium amalgamates all previous international collaborative cave mining research carried out via the University of Queensland (SMIBRC) through projects and studies such as: The Mass Mining Technology (MMT) The Supercaves Scoping Study ( ) Geology and Mass Mining ( ) The Next Generation Cave Mining study ( ) Cave Mining 2040 (Horizon 1 project ) 17

18 18

19 Cave Mining 2040 Goals and Grand Challenge Objectively determine the current state of caving knowledge and continue to develop new knowledge for improved: Utilisation of various forms of cave mining automation systems, total deposit knowledge; cave performance prediction; planning, design, construction, production and operation Acceleration of the development of disruptive innovations through industry collaboration to help lower total mining costs and increase production Ensure business sustainability regardless of mining conditions through the delivery of zero harm operations with acceptable social and environmental consequences The development of methods to extract massively increased tonnages or optimal tonnages of deep deposits safely, economically and predictably with acceptable social and environmental consequences. 19

20 Status Tentative priority R&D areas identified at the May workshop Discussions with prospective member companies including Mine or Portfolio Owners, OEMs, SMEs and International Research Groups from Australia, Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, South Africa and Chile Prospective participants and sponsors (currently under discussions): Newcrest Mining Codelco Operations BHPB (Minera Escondida) Anglo American/De Beers CMOC (Northparkes) Atlas Copco Sandvik Komatsu Joy Global University based and Commercial researchers: University of Queensland (SMI), Curtin University, University of Chile, Itasca, Polymathian 20

21 21

Recognising Geology as Major Source of Mining Business Investment risk

Faculty of Engineering\School of Mining Engineering Recognising Geology as Major Source of Mining Business Investment risk Professor Fidelis T Suorineni Chair of Mine Geotechnical Engineering Background