11:40 AM - 12:00 PM
[GP-04] Advances in real-time GPR-based geosensing for mining machine control
The need for accurate geological sensing has long been acknowledged by the mining industry as an issue of high importance for achieving improved levels of mining safety and productivity. Fundamental to the success of any geologically guided horizon control strategy is the availability of a reliable vertical reference datum in order to provide a vertical mining extraction target. Ideally, this datum is generated by direct measurement of geological subsurface layer depths in the vicinity of mining extraction.
For decades, the industry has lacked reliable instrumentation that can sense the location of cutting horizons relative to the seam roof and floor in real-time. This shortfall in geosensing instrumentation has been a major issue preventing the introduction of widespread automated mining horizon control. As a result, mining operations must rely on manual monitoring to infer seam geological trends, which often results leads to difficulties in maintaining consistent, optimal mining extraction horizons. It is also highly manually intensive process, which can present additional burden for personnel.
In response, new developments have been undertaken to provide improved geosensing solutions based on the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology. In addition to the usual processes involved with real-time GPR data acquisition and interpretation, this paper highlights the unique challenges associated with installation of GPR-based technology directly on underground longwall mining equipment in a full production context. This involved radar system adaptation, development of unique enclosure design for equipment survivability, custom software development, and extensive geological validation – all under extremely difficult operational environments. The outcome has been progression the practical maturity of radar-based sensing for measuring floor strata to provide new options for mining horizon control.
For decades, the industry has lacked reliable instrumentation that can sense the location of cutting horizons relative to the seam roof and floor in real-time. This shortfall in geosensing instrumentation has been a major issue preventing the introduction of widespread automated mining horizon control. As a result, mining operations must rely on manual monitoring to infer seam geological trends, which often results leads to difficulties in maintaining consistent, optimal mining extraction horizons. It is also highly manually intensive process, which can present additional burden for personnel.
In response, new developments have been undertaken to provide improved geosensing solutions based on the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology. In addition to the usual processes involved with real-time GPR data acquisition and interpretation, this paper highlights the unique challenges associated with installation of GPR-based technology directly on underground longwall mining equipment in a full production context. This involved radar system adaptation, development of unique enclosure design for equipment survivability, custom software development, and extensive geological validation – all under extremely difficult operational environments. The outcome has been progression the practical maturity of radar-based sensing for measuring floor strata to provide new options for mining horizon control.
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