Abstract
Availability of representative, real time, conveyed flow quality measurement data on plant feed benefits geologists, mining engineers and metallurgists in ore reconciliation, grade control, mine scheduling, process optimization and metal accounting. The digitalisation of mine production ensures data is collected at frequencies useful for each application and visible via mine planning and process plant control systems. Belt weigher data combined with moisture measurement data provides accurate, real time dry tons information. Multi-elemental and belt weigher data provides tonnage weighted grade data and elemental results for ore and waste material to enable waste and deleterious material parcel diversion, stockpile creation by grade range, and blending of stockpiles to suit plant feed quality targets. Fragmentation data is used for feedback to engineers for blasting optimisation and for feed forward to process operators. Data can be used to actively control crusher gap, identify oversize material to prevent damage to downstream equipment, and verify particle size distribution compliance to mill feed targets. Foreign object detection provides the opportunity to remove undesirable non-magnetic contaminants that can create blockages or damage downstream equipment. The data generated by the above sensors can be combined to identify parameters, such as ore hardness, used to control feed rate and quality to a mill. The paper will discuss technologies used for sensing including Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA), microwave transmission, and 3D infrared camera based systems as well as providing case studies and outlining achieved benefits in multiple commodities. The availability and utilization of the data transcends silo boundaries and increases transparency of actual ore quality to those responsible for controlling its production, quality and processing.