Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MASTERMINE (European Mining in the Green and Digital Era)
Période du rapport: 2022-12-01 au 2024-05-31
Raw materials are not only essential to produce a broad range of goods and services used in everyday life, but also for the development of emerging innovations in the EU, which are notably necessary for the development of more eco-efficient and globally competitive technologies. Securing access to a stable supply of many raw materials has become a major challenge for EU economy, which relies on imports of many minerals and metals needed by industry, including many critical raw materials (CRM). At the same time, the industry needs access to a new highly skilled generation of entrepreneurial mining professionals and a better wider society understanding and acceptance of the whole industry.
Thus, MASTERMINE proposes a structural multilevel change for the mining operations, focusing on the top-down axis of Culture, Strategy and Tactics. Culture refers to the intrinsic change for the EU mines, to understand the value of digitalization and environmental sustainability in day-to-day operations, while keeping an open line of communication with the communities around the mine. ESG ratings become core for the attraction of sustainable financing, which will lead to higher value added and more jobs for Europe. Strategy pillar is addressed for the mine, by designing high-level modules that address real industrial challenges. The digital transformation of EU Mine4.0 is led through six high level modules. Each one of these modules consist of specific technologies, the Tactics to get the desired outcomes and impact.
Thus, MASTERMINE proposes a structural multilevel change for the mining operations, focusing on the top-down axis of Culture, Strategy and Tactics. Culture refers to the intrinsic change for the EU mines, to understand the value of digitalization and environmental sustainability in day-to-day operations, while keeping an open line of communication with the communities around the mine. ESG ratings become core for the attraction of sustainable financing, which will lead to higher value added and more jobs for Europe. Strategy pillar is addressed for the mine, by designing high-level modules that address real industrial challenges. The digital transformation of EU Mine4.0 is led through six high level modules. Each one of these modules consist of specific technologies, the Tactics to get the desired outcomes and impact.
During the first six months of the project the use cases for MASTERMINE were defined, as well as the KPIs to be evaluated. Then, the ideas regarding the alternatives to carry out the tasks of investigation, modelling, monitoring, control and verification, were evaluated, and eventually a digitalization plan for 4 mines in Europe and a replication in South Africa was released in M18.
From M7 to M18, the different technologies composing the six MASTERMINE modules have been developed to a midway level, in particular.
- The Decision Support System for optimizing open pit Mine Design and stability.
- The Research on automated subsurface in situ monitoring systems for Real-Time geotechnical data collection and hazard prediction, and also the enhancement of mining operations through GEP Environment Integration.
- A comprehensive deformation and risk analysis through Integrated InSAR, GBSAR, and SARDrone monitoring.
- The development of an autonomous machine electrification retrofit kit, and in the same way the retrofit technology for autonomous operation of mining machines.
- Advanced ML and DL algorithms for optimal load demand forecasting in mining sites.
- The autonomous UAV software for enhanced mine site operations.
- The development and Implementation of an advanced SLAM algorithm and onboard perception system for autonomous and teleoperated mine vehicles. In addition, a recording device has been developed and installed in two different set-ups (hand-held and car).
- The ML-Based predictive maintenance for customized use cases in mining operations and autonomous vehicles.
- An advanced control system for methane drainage from the drainage roadway.
- A Real-Time air quality mapping methodology using Reduced-Order Models (ROM) of CFD Simulations for integration into the mine metaverse.
- Advanced process technologies for selective metal recovery in mining operations.
- Development and validation of an advanced ore sorting system.
- The efforts to minimize the environmental impact and maximize economic benefits through the sustainable use of sterile geomaterials in mining.
- An in-depth LCA for MASTERMINE use cases has been launched.
- Two separate digital twins for monitoring and prediction purposes and for real time simulator for control software validation.
- Initial results relevant to the geotechnical digital twins for two mines.
- Initial 3D models of thee mines.
- The requirements and user needs related to the Raw Material Passport (RMP) have been collected through a detailed questionnaire.
In parallel, apart from the specific technologies, the installation of sensors and the enhancement of the Wi-Fi connectivity in both underground and overground conditions have been completed, and most of the hardware defined in the digitalization plans has been procured. The conceptualization of the architecture of the Data Warehouse and Cloud Middleware has been designed, as well as the initial methodology for the final integration and demonstration has been established.
From M7 to M18, the different technologies composing the six MASTERMINE modules have been developed to a midway level, in particular.
- The Decision Support System for optimizing open pit Mine Design and stability.
- The Research on automated subsurface in situ monitoring systems for Real-Time geotechnical data collection and hazard prediction, and also the enhancement of mining operations through GEP Environment Integration.
- A comprehensive deformation and risk analysis through Integrated InSAR, GBSAR, and SARDrone monitoring.
- The development of an autonomous machine electrification retrofit kit, and in the same way the retrofit technology for autonomous operation of mining machines.
- Advanced ML and DL algorithms for optimal load demand forecasting in mining sites.
- The autonomous UAV software for enhanced mine site operations.
- The development and Implementation of an advanced SLAM algorithm and onboard perception system for autonomous and teleoperated mine vehicles. In addition, a recording device has been developed and installed in two different set-ups (hand-held and car).
- The ML-Based predictive maintenance for customized use cases in mining operations and autonomous vehicles.
- An advanced control system for methane drainage from the drainage roadway.
- A Real-Time air quality mapping methodology using Reduced-Order Models (ROM) of CFD Simulations for integration into the mine metaverse.
- Advanced process technologies for selective metal recovery in mining operations.
- Development and validation of an advanced ore sorting system.
- The efforts to minimize the environmental impact and maximize economic benefits through the sustainable use of sterile geomaterials in mining.
- An in-depth LCA for MASTERMINE use cases has been launched.
- Two separate digital twins for monitoring and prediction purposes and for real time simulator for control software validation.
- Initial results relevant to the geotechnical digital twins for two mines.
- Initial 3D models of thee mines.
- The requirements and user needs related to the Raw Material Passport (RMP) have been collected through a detailed questionnaire.
In parallel, apart from the specific technologies, the installation of sensors and the enhancement of the Wi-Fi connectivity in both underground and overground conditions have been completed, and most of the hardware defined in the digitalization plans has been procured. The conceptualization of the architecture of the Data Warehouse and Cloud Middleware has been designed, as well as the initial methodology for the final integration and demonstration has been established.
MASTERMINE aspires to become the go-to ecosystem for mines that envision digitalisation, environmental sustainability, productivity monitoring and public acceptance within their strategic goals. The pathway to the project impacts reflects the vision of MASTERMINE to become the foundation for the Green and Digital European mine of the future. The main project results are summarized in these six modules:
The METAMINE that results in an integrated mining metaverse, incorporating all project functions, digital twins and simulation, becoming a new paradigm for mining operations as the mid-term impact.
The CYBERMINE module dealing with Industry 4.0 enabling technology kit for the digital transformation of EU mines, with an expected mid term impact of becoming the go-to platform for the digital transformation of EU mines with a low digitalisation rate.
The AUTOMINE module composed of a set of technologies that include intelligence for autonomy, remote monitoring and smart maintenance. A wider implementation, apart from the MASTERMINE’s pilots, is expected to impact in a mid-term.
The GEOMINE module, consisting in a framework of solutions utilising all available geotechnical data sources to make traditional processes more intelligent, impacting after the project through the reduction of events, from minor to catastrophic, as well as the productivity increase.
The GREENMINE module that are a set of solutions to improve energy consumption, GHG emissions, air quality and water and waste management. The sector is expected to gain realistic options to significantly reduce water consumption, and an increase in SRM usage in a mid-term through this result.
The OURMINE module which will build a framework to increase public acceptance of the mine, including raw material passport, community apps and data-driven social innovation, and that is expected to be expanded around additional countries and mining sites aftere MASTERMINE.
The METAMINE that results in an integrated mining metaverse, incorporating all project functions, digital twins and simulation, becoming a new paradigm for mining operations as the mid-term impact.
The CYBERMINE module dealing with Industry 4.0 enabling technology kit for the digital transformation of EU mines, with an expected mid term impact of becoming the go-to platform for the digital transformation of EU mines with a low digitalisation rate.
The AUTOMINE module composed of a set of technologies that include intelligence for autonomy, remote monitoring and smart maintenance. A wider implementation, apart from the MASTERMINE’s pilots, is expected to impact in a mid-term.
The GEOMINE module, consisting in a framework of solutions utilising all available geotechnical data sources to make traditional processes more intelligent, impacting after the project through the reduction of events, from minor to catastrophic, as well as the productivity increase.
The GREENMINE module that are a set of solutions to improve energy consumption, GHG emissions, air quality and water and waste management. The sector is expected to gain realistic options to significantly reduce water consumption, and an increase in SRM usage in a mid-term through this result.
The OURMINE module which will build a framework to increase public acceptance of the mine, including raw material passport, community apps and data-driven social innovation, and that is expected to be expanded around additional countries and mining sites aftere MASTERMINE.