System and Method for Mining

Abstract

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINING Abstract A system for mining comprising a crusher assembly. The crusher assembly comprises at least a crusher configured to receive a mined material and to crush the mined material to form a crushed material. The system comprises a discharge conveyor configured to receive and convey the crushed material. The system further comprises a controller that is configured to receive one or more inputs and to send one or more control signals to the crusher and / or discharge conveyor. Also provided are methods of mining. SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINING Abstract A system for mining comprising a crusher assembly. The crusher assembly comprises at least a crusher configured to receive a mined material and to crush the mined material to form a crushed material. The system comprises a discharge conveyor configured to receive and convey the crushed material. The system further comprises a controller that is configured to receive one or more inputs and to send one or more control signals to the crusher and / or discharge conveyor. Also provided are methods of mining.20 24 21 94 84 06 S ep 2 02 4 2 0 2 4 2 1 9 4 8 4 0 6 2 0 2 4 S e p A b s t r a c t 2 0 2 4 2 1 9 4 8 4 0 6 2 0 2 4 S e p A b s t r a c t 1 / 1 Figure 1 100 200 150 120 130 310 300 422 400 410 450 110 500 140 160 440 420 425 1 / 1 100 200 130 120 310 150 300 420 422 425 440 400 410 160 450 O 110 140 500 Figure 1 20 24 21 94 84 06 S ep 2 02 4 0 0 9 1 4 0 O L L 4 5 0 0 9 1 4 1 0 4 0 0 4 4 0 4 2 54 2 2 4 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 2 1 9 4 8 4 0 6 S e p 2 0 2 4 0 0 9 1 4 0 1 1 0 4 5 0 0 9 1 4 1 0 4 0 0 4 4 0 4 2 54 2 2 4 2 0 3 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 2 1 9 4 8 4 S e p 0 6 2 0 2 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates generally to systems and methods for mining. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to systems and methods of mining employing a control logic for magnetite processing. Background of Invention

[0002] A primary crushing system has a source of mined ore provided by a dump truck. The mined ore is dumped from the truck and then crushed in a primary crusher. The crushed ore leaves the primary crusher and is transported on a conveyor for further processing at a downstream autogenous grinding (AG) or semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill.

[0003] The crushing system is traditionally manually controlled by one or more users. For example, a driver will operate the dump truck to dump the mined ore into the primary crusher when the primary crusher has undergone start up checks and is manually approved for crushing the ore. A user may set an open-side-setting of the primary crusher with the aim of delivering a crushed ore substantially having a desired particle size for processing by the downstream AG or SAG mill.

[0004] The manually controlled primary crushing systems may suffer from one or more problems. The manual operation of the crushing system may result in a size distribution of the crushed ore that is outside the desired distribution due to variations in the mined ore dumped into the primary crusher. The crushing system providing crushed material outside of the desired distribution can detrimentally affect the efficiency of the AG or SAG mill downstream or could result in damage to the conveyors and / or blockage to the transfer chutes feeding to the AG or SAG mill.

[0005] The crusher may be susceptible to bridging or bogging events when pieces of ore dumped into the crusher are relatively large. These relatively large pieces of ore may be blocky or slab-shaped. Separately, mined ore that has a high hardness entering the crusher may result in mantle drop of the crusher, leading to a larger open side setting (OSS) and larger pieces of material leaving the crusher than desired. This 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 may cause chute blockage and / or may cause damage to or tearing of the conveyer belt. The mantle and a liner of the crusher may suffer from wear over time which may affect the particle size leaving the crusher. The conveyor may suffer from damage from falling slabs of ore. Damage to elements of the crushing system can result in unwanted downtime to fix the damaged elements.

[0006] Bearing this in mind, the present inventor(s) have developed an improved system for mining.

[0007] Any reference to or discussion of any document, act or item of knowledge in this specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters or any combination thereof formed, at the priority date, part of the common general knowledge, or was known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Summary of Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for mining, comprising: a crusher assembly comprising a primary crusher configured to receive a mined material and to crush the mined material to form a crushed material; a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to receive the crushed material form the primary crusher; a discharge conveyor, the discharge bin being configured to discharge the crushed material to the discharge conveyor, and the discharge conveyor is configured to receive and convey the crushed material; a discharge level sensor is configured to detect a level of crushed material in the discharge bin; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to: i) receive one or more inputs; and ii) use control logic to send one or more control signals to the primary crusher and / or discharge conveyor to adjust their use based on the one or more inputs, wherein the one or more inputs includes a discharge level input from the discharge level sensor, and wherein a conveyor speed of the discharge conveyor is adjusted in real time based on the discharge level input to maintain or increase the level of crushed material in the discharge bin above a 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 minimum value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the discharge conveyor.

[0009] According to embodiment, the one or more inputs are communicated from at least one sensor. [00 IQ] According to embodiments, the system includes a feed level sensor. The system may comprise a plurality of feed level sensors. The feed level sensor may be configured to detect a level of mined material to be fed to the crusher. The one or more inputs may include a feed level input from the feed level sensor. The feed level sensor may provide feed level data to the controller. The feed level sensor may monitor the level of the mined material within predetermined upper and lower limits and / or within a predetermined range. The feed level sensor may send a signal to the controller when the level of mined material is above the upper limit, below the lower limit and / or outside the predetermined range.

[0011] According to embodiments, the system includes a feed section. The feed section may comprise a feed hopper and / or a dump pocket. The feed section may be a feed hopper or a dump pocket. The crusher assembly may comprise the feed section. The feed section may be configured to receive the mined material. The feed section may be configured to feed the mined material to the crusher. The feed section may be located adjacent to the crusher. The feed section may be located directly above the crusher. The feed section may form an upper part of the crusher. The feed level sensor(s) may detect a level of mined material within the feed section.

[0012] According to embodiments, the system includes a crusher feed section level sensor. The system may include a plurality of crusher feed section level sensors. The crusher feed section level sensor may detect a level of mined material within the crusher feed section. The one or more inputs may include a crusher feed section level input from the crusher feed section level sensor(s).

[0013] According to embodiments, the system includes a feed size analyser. The feed size analyser may detect a size of mined material to be received by the crusher. The feed size analyser may detect a size of each piece of mined material to be received by the crusher. The feed size analyser may be configured to determine a 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 size distribution of the mined material to be received by the crusher. The one or more inputs may comprise a feed size input from the feed size analyser. The feed size analyser may comprise a camera. The camera may be a still camera and / or a video camera. The feed size analyser and / or the controller may include an image processing software / algorithm or an image analysis software / algorithm. The software / algorithm may form part of the control logic.

[0014] According to embodiments, the feed size analyser is positioned adjacent to the feed section. The feed size analyser may determine a size of the mined material. The feed size analyser may detect a size of each piece of mined material within the feed section. The feed size analyser may be configured to determine the size distribution of the mined material within the feed section. The feed size analyser may be configured to determine the size distribution of the mined material entering the feed section.

[0015] According to embodiments, the system includes a discharge bin. The crusher assembly may comprise the discharge bin. The discharge bin may be configured to receive crushed material from the crusher. The discharge bin may be configured to dispense the crushed material to the discharge conveyor. The discharge bin may be located adjacent to the crusher. The discharge bin may be located directly below the crusher. The discharge bin may form a lower part of the crusher. The discharge bin may be connected to or form part of the conveyor. The system may comprise a conveyor assembly comprising the conveyor. The conveyor assembly may comprise the discharge bin.

[0016] According to embodiments, the system includes a discharge level sensor. The discharge level sensor may be located in the discharge bin. The discharge level sensor may detect a level of crushed material within the discharge bin. The system may include a plurality of discharge level sensors. The discharge level sensor(s) may detect a discharge level. The discharge level may be a discharge bin level. The discharge level sensor may be configured to detect a level of crushed material to be passed to the conveyor. The discharge level sensor may provide an input of the one or more inputs to the controller. The discharge level sensor may provide discharge level data to the controller. The discharge level sensor may monitor the level of the 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 crushed material within predetermined upper and lower limits and / or within a predetermined range. The discharge level sensor may send a signal to the controller when the level of crushed material is above the upper limit, below the lower limit and / or outside the predetermined range.

[0017] According to embodiments, the system includes a crusher lubrication system. The crusher lubrication system may provide a lubrication oil (lube oil) to the crusher. The crusher lubrication system may measure a temperature of the lube oil. The crusher lubrication system may provide an input to the controller. The input from the crusher lubrication system may comprise data representative of a temperature of the lube oil. An input representative of the lube oil temperature may be sent to the controller from a source other than the crusher lubrication system. The controller may send a control signal based on the input from the crusher lubrication system. The lube oil may have a desired temperature range or value when the crusher is operational. The input from the crusher lubrication system may represent when a lube temperature is outside and / or within the desired temperature range. The control signal may instruct the crusher lubrication system to adjust or affect the lube oil temperature.

[0018] According to embodiments, the system may include a cooling device. The cooling device may include at least one cooling fan, air conditioner and / or chiller. The cooling device may be provided external or adjacent to the crusher lubrication system. The crusher lubrication system may comprise the cooling device. The cooling device may, in use, reduce a temperature of the lube oil. The cooling device may form a chilling device.

[0019] According to embodiments, a speed of the conveyor is adjusted based on the discharge level detected by the discharge level sensor. The conveyor speed may be automatically adjusted based on the discharge level. The conveyor speed may be adjusted in real time based on the discharge level. The conveyor speed may be increased when the discharge level is detected by the discharge level sensor as being above a predetermined limit or limits. The conveyor speed may be slowed when the discharge level is detected to be below a predetermined limit or limits. The controller may control the speed of the conveyor based on an input from the discharge level sensor. 2024219484   15 Jul 2026

[0020] Controlling the speed of the conveyor may maintain the discharge bin as containing a desired, optimal and / or substantially optimal level of crushed material. Controlling the speed of the conveyor may prevent or reduce overfilling of the discharge bin. Controlling the speed of the conveyor may ensure a substantially steady flow of crushed material on the conveyor. Controlling the speed of the conveyor may prevent or reduce instances of damage to the conveyor caused by falling slabs of mined material or crushed material directly onto the conveyor.

[0021] According to embodiments, the system includes a discharge size analyser. The discharge size analyser may determine a size of the crushed material. The discharge size analyser may detect a size of each piece of the crushed material. The discharge size analyser may be configured to determine a size distribution of the crushed material. The discharge size analyser may provide an input of the one or more inputs to the controller. The discharge size analyser may comprise a camera. The camera may be a still camera and / or a video camera. The discharge size analyser and / or the controller may include an image processing software / algorithm or an image analysis software / algorithm. The software / algorithm may form part of the control logic.

[0022] According to embodiments, the discharge size analyser is positioned adjacent to the conveyor. According to embodiments, the discharge size analyser determines a size distribution of the crushed material on at least a portion of the conveyor. The discharge size analyser may determine a size distribution of crushed material leaving the crusher. The discharge size analyser may determine a size distribution of crushed material on the conveyor. According to embodiments, the discharge size analyser determines a size of at least one piece of the crushed material on at least a portion of the conveyor. The discharge size analyser may determine a size of at least one piece of crushed material leaving the crusher. The discharge size analyser may determine a size of at least one piece of crushed material on the conveyor. According to embodiments, the discharge size analyser determines a size of each piece of the crushed material on at least a portion of the conveyor. The discharge size analyser may determine a size of each piece of crushed 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 material leaving the crusher. The discharge size analyser may determine a size of each piece of crushed material on the conveyor.

[0023] According to embodiments, the system includes a weight measuring device. The weight measuring device may include scales or a weightometer. The weight measuring device may be configured to measure a weight of the crushed material. The weight measuring device may be configured to measure a weight of the crushed material on at least a portion of the conveyor. The weight measuring device may provide an input of the one or more inputs to the controller. The weight measuring device may take cumulative readings.

[0024] According to embodiments, the mined material is provided to the system by a delivery device. The delivery device may be a dump truck. The delivery device may comprise a delivery conveyor or a chute. The mined material may be provided to the crusher assembly by the delivery device. The delivery device may be configured such that it can be adjusted to increase and / or decrease a delivery rate of the mined material. The delivery device may have a bed configured to hold mined material. The delivery device may be configured such that the bed may be raised to dump the mined material and / or to increase a dump rate. The delivery device may be configured such that the bed may be lowered to stop dumping the mined material and / or to reduce the dump rate of the mined material.

[0025] According to embodiments, the system includes a delivery device sensor. The delivery device sensor may detect when the delivery device is in a dumping position. The delivery device sensor may detect when no delivery device is present in the dumping position. The dumping position may be a location from which the delivery device may dump mined material into the feed section. The delivery device sensor may provide an input of the one or more inputs to the controller. The one or more inputs may include an arrival input from the delivery device sensor.

[0026] According to embodiments, the system includes a dump signal device. The dump signal device may be a traffic light device that can provide at least one traffic light signal. The dump signal device may receive control signal(s) from the controller. The dump signal device may provide signal(s) to the delivery device. The signal(s) 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 provided to the delivery device may instruct whether to dump the mined material and / or stop dumping the mined material and / to increase a dump rate and / or decrease the dump rate. According to embodiments, the dump signal device is controlled by the controller. The dump signal device may provide signal(s) to the delivery device to give a dump rate that maintains a predetermined level of mined material in the crusher assembly. The dump signal device may provide signal(s) to the delivery device to dump rate that maintains choke feeding to the crusher. The dump signal device may provide signal(s) to the delivery device to give a dump rate that maintains a predetermined level of mined material in the feed section. The predetermined level of mined material in the feed section may have an upper and / or lower limit.

[0027] According to embodiments, the crusher is at least one of a gyratory crusher, cone crusher, jaw crusher or impact crusher. According to embodiments, the crusher is part of a primary crushing circuit or primary crushing system. According to embodiments, the crusher is configured to crush unprocessed mined material.

[0028] According to embodiments, a gap setting of the crusher is controlled by the controller. In an embodiment, one or more control signals received by the crusher from the controller may control the gap setting or may assist in controlling the gap setting. The gap setting may define a widest gap between a mantle of the crusher and a liner of the crusher. The liner may be a bowl liner or a concave liner. The liner of the crusher may be on the inner surface of a shell or housing of the crusher. According to embodiments, the crusher is a gyratory crusher and the gap setting is an open side setting (OSS).

[0029] According to embodiments, the controller receives an input representative of a hardness of the mined material. The hardness of the mined material may be determined at any time prior to the mined material entering the crusher. The hardness of the mined material may be determined when the mined material is on the delivery device. The delivery device may send the input representative of the hardness of the mined material to the controller. The hardness of the mined material may be determined substantially at a time when the mined material is being mined. 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 [00 30] According to embodiments, the gap setting of the crusher may be adjusted based on the hardness (or based on the determined hardness) of the mined material. The gap setting may be decreased for mined material of high hardness. Adjusting the gap setting on the crusher based on the hardness of the mined material, and / or decreasing the gap setting for material of high hardness, may prevent large pieces of mined material from passing through the crusher and potentially causing damage or blocking downstream conveying devices or chutes.

[0031] According to embodiments, the gap setting of the crusher is adjusted dependent on the shape and / or size of at least one piece of mined material. The shape and / or size of at least one piece of the mined material may be detected by the feed size analyser. The feed size analyser may detect elongate, oversized, blocky and / or slab-shaped pieces of mined material. The controller may signal to the crusher to adjust the gap setting based on the detected shape and / or size of the mined material. The gap setting may be adjusted when at least one elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped piece of mined material has been detected. The gap setting may be decreased when at least one elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped piece of mined material has been detected. The gap setting may be adjusted in real time. Decreasing the gap setting to account for elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped pieces of mined material may prevent the elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped pieces of mined material from passing through the crusher without being crushed and potentially causing a blockage and / or damage downstream of the crusher. Detected oversized pieces of mined material may be removed from the feed section, feed hopper or dump pocket. Detected oversized pieces of mined material may be prevented from entering the crusher. Removal of the oversized pieces may prevent bridging and / or bogging events in the crusher.

[0032] According to embodiments, the gap setting may be increased when the feed size analyser detects small or fine mined material. Mined material may be determined to be small or fine when it has a size determined to be below a predetermined size range. The gap setting may be increased when the feed size of the mined material is determined to be small or fine for a predetermined period of time. The gap setting may be increased when the average size of the mined material 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 detected by the feed size analyser is below a predetermined size range. The gap setting may be increased when the average size of the mined material detected by the feed size analyser is below a predetermined size range for a predetermined period of time.

[0033] According to embodiments, the gap setting may be decreased when high hardness material having a size above a predetermined size range is detected. The high hardness material above desired size may result in damage to the conveyor or other components downstream of the crusher, and reducing the gap setting may reduce occurrences of this type of damage.

[0034] According to embodiments, the gap setting of the crusher is adjusted to compensate for wear of a mantle and / or a liner of the crusher. The wear of the mantle and / or the liner may be detected by at least one wear sensor. The one or more inputs of the controller may include a wear input of the wear sensor. The wear of the mantle and / or the liner may be calculated based on known wear rates of the mantle and / or the liner over time. The controller may track the wear of the mantle and / or liner over time. The controller may calculate the wear of the mantle and / or liner based on usage time and / or load on the crusher. The controller may calculate a suitable gap setting of the crusher based on the tracked wear rates of the mantle and / or liner. The controller may send a control signal to the crusher to adjust the gap setting based on a calculated wear of the mantle and / or liner. Adjusting the gap setting of the crusher may compensate for the wear rate of the liner and / or mantle. The gap setting of the crusher may be adjusted at an interval of about 50,000 tons of mined material crushed.

[0035] According to embodiments, the gap setting is adjusted based on the feed size distribution monitored by the feed size analyser. According to embodiments, the gap setting is adjusted based on the discharge size distribution monitored by the discharge size analyser. The gap setting of the crusher may be adjusted to provide a discharge size distribution suitable for a downstream autogenous grinding (AG) mill or a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill. 2024219484   15 Jul 2026

[0036] According to embodiments, the mined material comprises at least one ore and / or at least one mineral. The mined material may comprise a run of mine ore. The mined material may contain at least one precious / valuable metal and / or precious / valuable mineral. The mined material may be unprocessed. The mined material may compromise magnetite.

[0037] According to embodiments, the controller comprises a plurality of controllers. The plurality of controllers may be contained at the same location. At least two of the plurality of controllers may be located at different locations from one another. At least one controller of the plurality of controllers may be comprised by at least one of the crusher, the conveyor, the dump signal device, the crusher lubrication system, the delivery device, the feed size analyser, the discharge size analyser, the feed level sensor, and / or the discharge level sensor. At least one controller of the plurality of controllers may control at least one of the crusher, the conveyor, the dump signal device, the crusher lubrication system, the delivery device, the feed size analyser, the discharge size analyser, the feed level sensor, and / or the discharge level sensor. At least one of or each of the controllers may be a programmable logic controller (PLC). The crusher may comprise a PLC and / or may be controlled by a PLC. The conveyor may comprise a PLC and / or may be controlled by a PLC. The dump signal device may comprise a PLC and / or may be controlled by a PLC. The crusher lubrication system may comprise a PLC and / or may be controlled by a PLC.

[0038] According to embodiments the system comprises a single controller.

[0030] According to embodiments, the controller comprises or is part of a control circuit. The control circuit may comprise a plurality of controllers. At least one controller or each of the controllers may be a PLC. The control circuit may comprise a main controller which receives inputs from and / or sends control signals to each controller of the control circuit.

[0040] According to embodiments, the controller comprises at least one processor. The controller may comprise at least one memory. The controller may comprise at least one communications module. The controller may comprise an input device. The input device may enable a user to input at least one control value. The 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 control value may comprise at least one threshold value, or upper limit, or lower limit for any one or more of the feed level, discharge level, discharge size distribution, feed size distribution and / or hardness.

[0041] According to embodiments, the main controller comprises at least one processor. The main controller may comprise at least one memory. The main controller may comprise at least one communications module. The main controller may comprise an input device. The input device may enable a user to input at least one control value. The control value may comprise at least one threshold value, or upper limit, or lower limit for any one or more of the feed level, discharge level, discharge size distribution, feed size distribution and / or hardness.

[0042] The controller may function autonomously. The controller may function semi-autonomously with limited user input.

[0043] The main controller may function autonomously. The main controller may function semi-autonomously with limited user input.

[0044] According to embodiments, the controller or main controller utilises the control logic to send control signals to the crusher, conveyor, crusher lubrication system and / or dump signal device based on the one or more inputs. According to embodiments, one or more of the crusher, conveyor, crusher lubrication system and / or dump signal may comprise a controller. The controller may be a PLC.

[0045] According to embodiments, the controller or main controller utilises the control logic to send the control signals to the crusher and / or conveyor, based on the one or more inputs, to adjust the use of the crusher and / or conveyor to achieve a desired processed state of the mined material.

[0046] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of mining. The method includes: a) delivering mined material to a crusher assembly via a delivery device; b) crushing the mined material by a primary crusher of the crusher assembly to form a crushed material; c) receiving the crushed material from the primary crusher in a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to discharge the crushed material to a discharge conveyor; d) monitoring a 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 discharge level of crushed material in the discharge bin to determine a discharge level input; e) providing the discharge level input to a controller; f) determining by the controller whether the discharge level of the crushed material in the discharge bin is at or below a predetermined value based at least on the discharge level input; g) sending one or more control signals to the discharge conveyor by the controller when it is determined that the discharge level is below the predetermined value; h) in response to the one or more control signals, adjusting a conveyor speed of the discharge conveyor to maintain or increase the discharge level of crushed material in the discharge bin above the threshold value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the discharge conveyor; and i) delivering the crushed material to a location using the discharge conveyor.

[0047] According to embodiments, the desired state of the mined material includes maintaining a level of feed of the mined material to or in the crusher assembly. The level of feed of the mined material may be a feed level as described in any example or embodiment herein. The level of feed may be determined by a feed level sensor.

[0048] According to embodiments, the desired state of the mined material includes maintaining a level of feed of the mined material to the discharge conveyor. The level of feed of the mined material to the discharge conveyor may be a discharge level as described in any example or embodiment herein. The level of feed may be determined by a discharge level sensor.

[0040] According to embodiments, the mined material is crushed by a crusher of the crusher assembly. The crusher assembly may include any one or more of a crusher, a feed section and a discharge hopper. [00 50] According to embodiments, the desired state of the mined material includes a size of the mined material crushed by the crusher. The size of the mined material may be detected by a discharge size analyser. The size of the mined material may include a size of each piece of the mined material. The size of the mined material may include a size distribution of the mined material. 2024219484   15 Jul 2026

[0051] According to embodiments, adjusting use of the crusher assembly includes adjusting a gap setting of the crusher. According to embodiments, adjusting use of the crusher assembly includes adjusting a position and / or orientation of a shaft of the crusher. According to embodiments, adjusting use of the crusher assembly may include adjusting a crushing force provided by the crusher. The gap setting may be adjusted by adjusting a shaft of the crusher.

[0052] According to embodiments, adjusting use of the discharge conveyor includes adjusting a speed of the discharge conveyor. The speed of the discharge conveyor may be increased to increase a throughput of mined material. The speed of the discharge conveyor may be decreased to decrease a throughput of mined material. The speed of the discharge conveyor may be increased in response to an increase in throughput of mined material. The speed of the discharge conveyor may be decreased in response to a decrease in throughput of the mined material.

[0053] According to embodiments, adjusting use of the delivery device includes adjusting a delivery rate of the mined material to the crusher assembly. Where the delivery device is a dump truck, the delivery rate may be adjusted by lowering or raising the bed.

[0054] According to embodiments, monitoring the mined material comprises monitoring a size of the mined material. The size of the mined material may be detected by a feed size analyser. The size of the mined material may include a size of each piece of the mined material. The size of the mined material may include a size distribution of the mined material.

[0055] According to embodiments, monitoring the mined material comprises monitoring a level of the mined material. The level of the mined material may be a feed level and / or a discharge level. The feed level may be a level of the mined material within a feed section. The discharge level may be a level of the mined material within a discharge bin.

[0056] According to embodiments, a controller controls adjusting the delivery device, crusher assembly, and / or discharge conveyor based on the one or more inputs. The one or more inputs may include any of a hardness input, a delivery device 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 input, a feed level input, a feed size input, a discharge level input, a discharge size input, a weight input, and / or a wear input.

[0057] According to embodiments, the method includes providing a cooling device. The method may include cooling a temperature of a lubrication oil of a crusher lubrication system with the cooling device. The cooling device may comprise at least one cooling fan, air conditioner and / or chiller.

[0058] According to embodiments, the method may include any one or more of: • a method of controlling a crusher of a mining system; • providing a crusher assembly, where the crusher assembly may comprise at least one of a feed section, a crusher and a discharge bin; • providing a crusher configured to receive a mined material, to crush the mined material and to discharge a crushed material; •         a method of controlling a conveyor of a mining system; •         providing a conveyor, the conveyor configured to receive a crushed material from a crusher; • providing a controller, the controller configured to receive one or more inputs and to provide a control signal to the crusher and / or the conveyor based on the one or more inputs; • a gap setting of the crusher is adjusted autonomously in real time based on the control signal; • a speed of the conveyor is autonomously adjusted in real time based on the control signal; • the one or more inputs includes a hardness input, determined from a hardness of the mined material; •          the controller may be configured to send a control signal to the crusher when the hardness input is representative of a hardness of the mined material above a predetermined threshold; • the gap setting of the crusher may be decreased when the controller receives a hardness input representative of a hardness above the predetermined threshold; 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 •        the gap setting may be decreased when the controller receives a hardness input representative of a hardness above the predetermined threshold and a feed size input above a predetermined threshold; •         one or more inputs includes a feed level input determined by a feed level sensor; •         the feed level sensor detects a level of a feed section that is configured to feed the mined material to the crusher; •         a dump rate of mined material to the crusher assembly is controlled; •         the dump rate is controlled via a dump signal device; •         the dump rate is controlled to maintain a predetermined level of material in the crusher assembly; •         the dump rate is controlled to maintain choke feeding to the crusher assembly; •         the one or more inputs includes a discharge level input; •         the discharge level input may be determined by a discharge level sensor; •         the discharge level sensor may detect a discharge level of a discharge bin (the discharge bin may also be referred to as a surge bin, surge pocket or rock box); •         the discharge bin may receive a crushed material from the crusher; •         the one or more inputs includes a feed size input; •         the feed size input may be determined by a feed size analyser; •        the gap setting may be adjusted when at least one piece of the mined material is determined to be elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped; •        the gap setting may be deceased when at least one piece of the mined material is determined to be elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped; •         pieces of mined material determined to be oversized may be removed from the feed section, feed hopper or dump pocket and / or prevented from entering the crusher; •         the controller may be configured to send a control signal to the crusher when the feed size input is representative of at least one piece of the mined material being elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped; •         the one or more inputs includes a discharge size input; •         the discharge size input may be from a discharge size analyser; 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 •         the gap setting may be adjusted in response to a control signal based on the discharge size input to maintain a predetermined size distribution of the crushed material; •         the gap setting is adjusted in response to a control signal to compensate for a wear of a mantle and / or liner of the crusher; •         the one or more inputs includes a lube temperature input; •         the lube temperature input may be from the crusher lubrication system; •         the controller may send a control signal when the lube temperature input is representative of a lube temperature outside of a predetermined range and / or within a predetermined range; •         the controller may determine the wear of the mantle and / or liner based on at least one input; •         the controller may send a control signal to the crusher when a predetermined amount of wear of the mantle and / or liner is determined by the controller; •         the at least one input may include a wear input representative of a wear of the mantle and / or liner; •         the at least one input may include a weight input from a weight measuring device that detects a weight of the crushed material on at least a portion of the conveyor, the weight measuring device may be scales or a weightometer; •         the at least one input may include a cumulative weight or mass of mined material that has been crushed by the crusher; •        the speed of the conveyor may be increased when a control signal representative of a weight over a predetermined threshold is received; and / or •        the speed of the conveyor may be reduced when a control signal representative of a weight under a predetermined threshold is received. •        the speed of the conveyor may be increased when the discharge level is above a predetermined threshold; and / or •        the speed of the conveyor may be reduced when the discharge level is below a predetermined threshold.

[0059] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an automated method of controlling a mining system, the mining system comprising: a delivery device that 2024219484   15 Jul 2026 delivers a mined material; a crusher assembly comprising a primary crusher, wherein the primary crusher receives the mined material from the delivery device, and crushes the mined material, and discharges a crushed material; a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to receive the crushed material form the primary crusher; and a discharge conveyor that receives the crushed material discharged from the primary crusher, and wherein the method comprises: providing a controller configured to receive one or more inputs and to provide at least one control signal to the mining system based on the one or more inputs, wherein the one or more inputs comprises a discharge level input from a discharge level sensor, the discharge level sensor configured to detect a level of crushed material in the discharge bin; and wherein the at least one control signal to the mining system comprises a signal instructing the discharge conveyor to increase its speed and / or a signal instructing the discharge conveyor to reduce its speed; and wherein the speed of the discharge conveyer is adjusted in real time based on the discharge level input to maintain or increase the level of crushed material in the discharge bin above a minimum value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the conveyor.

[0060] According to embodiments, the delivery device is a dump truck. The delivery device may be a conveyor. The delivery device may be a chute.

[0061] Any one or more of the above aspects or embodiments may be combined with any one or more other aspects, embodiments or examples of a method or system as provided herein. For example, any method herein may include any one or more features as substantially described in relation to a system or other method, and similarly any system herein may include any one or more features as described in relation to a method or other system. Brief Description of Drawings 2024219484   06 Sep 2024

[0062] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the embodiments are given by way of illustration only and the invention is not limited by this illustration. In the drawings:

[0063] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of a control system according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0064] An example of a system 100 for mining according to the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1. Methods comprising one or more of the features of the crusher control system 100 are also provided herein and any features described below may also be included in any such method.

[0065] The following description relates to the preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 1, any of the following features or elements may be removed and / or replaced with alternative features / elements as will be apparent from the present disclosure as a whole. The system 100 includes a crusher assembly. The crusher assembly including a crusher 400, a feed section 440 and a discharge bin 450. The feed section 440 may comprise a feed hopper or a dump pocket. The crusher 400 is configured to receive a mined material from the feed section 440. The feed section 440 may be located above a main housing of the crusher 400. The feed section 440 receives the mined material.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, the mined material is provided to the feed section 440 by a delivery device 300. In this embodiment, the delivery device 300 may be a dump truck. The delivery device 300 may transport the mined material in its bed 310. According to other embodiments, the mined material is fed into the feed section 440 by a different mechanism or via a different type of delivery device. The system 100 could include a feed conveyor or a chute to provide the mined material, for example. The bed 310 of the delivery device 300 may be raised to dispense the mined material into the feed section 440 or raised to increase a dispense rate of the mined material. The bed 310 of the delivery device 300 may be lowered to reduce the dispense rate of the mined material or to stop dispensing the mined material. The bed 310 may be raised and / or lowered manually via an operator of the system using a 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 control of the delivery device 300. The control of the delivery device 300 may be a lever, switch, button, control stick or other input device. The bed 310 may be autonomously raised and / or lowered by the system and / or may be controlled remotely via the controller.

[0067] A dump signal device 130 may indicate to an operator of the delivery device 300 whether they are to dispense the mined material or stop dispensing / not dispense any mined material. The dump signal device 130 may comprise a traffic light device. A delivery device sensor (not shown) may be included in the system to sense when the delivery device 300 is in a dumping position. The dumping position being a position where the bed of the delivery device can dispense the mined material in to the feed section. The sensor that senses the delivery device 300 may be a delivery device sensor. The delivery device sensor may sense when a delivery device 300 has arrived at a predetermined location.

[0068] The mined material is fed to the crusher 400 from the feed section 440. When the crusher is active and mined material is within it, at least a portion of the mined material will be crushed by the crusher 400. The crusher 400 reduces the average size of rocks within the mined material to provide a crushed material.

[0069] After passing through the crusher 400, the crushed material may be fed into the discharge bin 450. From the discharge bin 450, the crushed material is discharged onto a discharge conveyor 500. In some embodiments, the crushed material may pass directly from the crusher 400 to the conveyor 500. The conveyor 500 may transport the crushed material for further processing (not shown), such as grinding or classification. The grinding may be provided by an autogenous grinding (AG) mill or a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill. The crushed material is preferably crushed by the crusher 400 to a size suitable for downstream processing.

[0070] The system 100 includes a controller 200 which receives data and sends control signal(s) to other elements of the system 100. The controller may function autonomously with no human input. Alternatively, the controller 200 function semi-autonomously with some human input. The human input may include inputting values or parameters for the controller to use in its logic to determine when to send control signals. In the system 100 of Figure 1, the controller 200 receives data inputs from 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may include at least one of a discharge level sensor 110, a feed level sensor 120, a particle size analyser 140, a feed size analyser 150 or a weight measuring device 160. The controller 200 may receive a hardness input determinative of a hardness of the mined material to be crushed by the crusher 400. The controller 200 may receive a data input from a delivery device sensor, where present.

[0071] The discharge level sensor 110 may be configured to detect a fill level of the discharge bin 450. The discharge level sensor 110 may utilise any one or more of radio waves, radar, camera, video, imaging, electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves and / or light beams. The discharge level sensor 110 may intermittently and / or at predetermined intervals send a data signal representative of the detected fill level of the bin 450. The discharge level sensor 110 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the discharge bin 450 is above a predetermined level or above a threshold level. The discharge level sensor 110 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the discharge bin 450 is below a predetermined level or below a threshold level. The discharge level sensor 110 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the discharge bin 450 changes by a predetermined amount. The detected change in fill level that results in a signal being transmitted may be a predetermined increase in the detected fill level or levels. The detected change in fill level that results in a signal being transmitted may be a predetermined decreased in the detected fill level or levels. The discharge level sensor 110 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the discharge bin 450 is outside of a predetermined operating range. The controller 200 may receive the signal(s) from the discharge level sensor 110 as a data input.

[0072] One or more feed level sensors 120 may be located in one or more locations. A plurality of feed level sensors may be located in varied positions respectively. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may be configured to detect a fill level of the feed section 440. According to embodiments, the feed section 440 comprises a feed hopper or a dump pocket, and the feed level sensor(s) 120 may be configured to detect a fill level of the feed hopper or the dump pocket. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may utilise any one or more of radio waves, radar, camera, video, imaging, electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves and / or light beams. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may intermittently and / or at predetermined intervals send a data signal representative of the detected fill level of the feed section 440. The feed level 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 sensor(s) 120 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the feed section 440 is above a predetermined level or above a threshold level. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the feed section 440 is below a predetermined level or below a threshold level. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the feed section 440 changes by a predetermined amount. The detected change in fill level that results in a signal may be a predetermined increase in the detected fill level. The detected change in fill level that results in a signal may be a predetermined decreased in the detected fill level. The feed level sensor(s) 120 may send a signal when the detected fill level of the feed section 440 is outside of a predetermined operating range. The controller 200 may receive the signal(s) from the feed level sensor(s) 120 as a data input.

[0073] The discharge size analyser 140 may be configured to determine a discharge particle size distribution in the crushed material after it has passed through the crusher 400. The discharge size analyser 140 may comprise a particle size analyser. The discharge size analyser 140 may comprise a camera and / or lidar sensor. The camera may comprise a video camera. An example of a camera used as part of the discharge size analyser 140 is an IP Fixed Security Camera no. BIP2-1300C-DN. Any suitable camera may be utilised as part of the discharge size analyser 140. According to embodiments, the discharge size analyser 140 may comprise at least one detector and / or sensor and / or sensor array. The discharge size analyser 140 may include hardware and / or software which performs particle size analysis. The discharge size analyser 140 may detect a size of at least one piece of crushed material. The discharge size analyser may detect a size of each piece of crushed material. The discharge size analyser 140 may determine the discharge particle size distribution of the crushed material based on an input from at least one input device. The input device may be a camera of the discharge size analyser 140. An example of software used in the discharge size analyser 140 may include machine learning.

[0074] A signal or data representative of the discharge particle size distribution detected by the discharge size analyser 140 may be sent to the controller 200. The discharge size analyser 140 may provide real time data to the controller 200. The discharge size analyser 140 may send signals or data to the controller 200 at predetermined intervals. A signal or data representative of the discharge particle size 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 distribution detected by the discharge size analyser 140 may be sent to the controller 200 when the discharge particle size distribution is above a predetermined threshold. A signal or data representative of the particle size distribution detected by the discharge size analyser 140 may be sent to the controller 200 when the discharge particle size distribution is below a predetermined threshold. The discharge size analyser 140 may send at least one signal of the size of at least one piece of the crushed material to the controller 200. The discharge size analyser 140 may send a signal to the controller 200 when one or more oversized, blocky, slab-shaped and / or elongate pieces of crushed material are detected by the discharge size analyser 140. The controller 200 may receive an input from the discharge size analyser 140 and may determine whether one or more pieces of crushed material are oversized, blocky, slab-shaped and / or elongate.

[0075] The discharge size analyser 140 may be located downstream of the crusher 400. The discharge size analyser 140 may be located adjacent to the discharge conveyor 500. The discharge size analyser 140 may be connected to or installed on the discharge conveyor 500. The discharge size analyser 140 may be configured to determine a discharge particle size distribution of the crushed material on the discharge conveyor 500. The discharge size analyser 140 may be located adjacent to the discharge bin 450. The discharge size analyser 140 may be configured to determine a discharge particle size distribution of the crushed material in the discharge bin 450. The discharge size analyser 140 may be configured to detect a size of at least one or each piece of crushed material in the discharge bin 450.

[0076] The feed size analyser 150 may be configured to determine a feed size distribution in the mined material before it has passed through the crusher 400. The feed size analyser 150 may comprise a particle size analyser. The feed size analyser 150 may comprise a camera and / or lidar sensor. The camera may comprise a video camera. An example of a camera used as part of the feed size analyser 150 is an IP Fixed Security Camera no. BIP2-1300C-DN. Any suitable camera may be utilised as part of the feed size analyser 150. According to embodiments, the feed size analyser 150 may comprise at least one detector and / or sensor and / or sensor array. The feed size analyser 150 may include hardware and / or software which performs particle size analysis. The feed size analyser 150 may detect a size of at least one piece of mined 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 material. The feed size analyser 150 may detect a size of each piece of mined material. The feed size analyser 150 may determine the feed size distribution of the mined material based on an input from at least one input device. The input device may be a camera of the feed size analyser 150. The feed size analyser 150 may comprise the same type or similar hardware and / or software to the discharge feed analyser 140.

[0077] A signal or data representative of the feed size distribution detected by the feed size analyser 150 may be sent to the controller 200. The feed size analyser 150 may provide real time data to the controller 200. The feed size analyser 150 may send signals or data to the controller 200 at predetermined intervals. A signal or data representative of the feed size distribution detected by the feed size analyser 150 may be sent to the controller 200 when the feed size distribution is above a predetermined threshold or thresholds. A signal or data representative of the feed size distribution detected by the feed size analyser 150 may be sent to the controller 200 when the feed size distribution is below a predetermined threshold or thresholds. The feed size analyser 150 may send at least one signal of the size of at least one piece of the mined material to the controller 200.

[0078] The feed size analyser 150 may send a signal to the controller 200 when one or more oversized pieces of mined material are detected by the feed size analyser 150. The feed size analyser 150 may send a signal to the controller 200 when oversized mined material is detected. The controller 200 may receive an input from the feed size analyser 150 and may determine whether one or more pieces of mined material are oversized. An oversized piece of mined material may be over 1200mm in at least two dimensions. Oversized pieces of mined material may be prevented from entering the crusher. Oversized pieces of mined material may be picked and / or removed from the feed section when detected by the feed size analyser and / or when a control signal from the controller signals at least one piece of the mined material is oversized. Preventing oversized pieces of mined material with at least two dimensions over 1200mm from entering the crusher may prevent bogging or bridging events and potential damage to the crusher, such as to the eccentric bush of the crusher. 2024219484   06 Sep 2024

[0079] The feed size analyser 150 may send a signal to the controller 200 when one or more blocky, slab-shaped and / or elongate pieces of mined material are detected by the feed size analyser 150. The feed size analyser 150 may send a signal to the controller 200 when elongate, blocky and / or slab shaped mined material is detected. The controller 200 may receive an input from the feed size analyser 150 and may determine whether one or more pieces of crushed material are elongate, blocky and / or slab shaped. A blocky piece of mined material may be large with a rectangular or cubic shape. The blocky piece of material may have less fines. A blocky piece of mined material may have a F80 size of about 165mm-1200mm. The F80 size is a feed size range where 80% of the material passes. A slab-shaped piece of mined material may be elongated in one or two dimensions. The slab-shaped piece of mind material may have a substantially flat shape. A slab-shaped or elongate piece of mined material may be over 1200mm in one dimension.

[0080] The feed size analyser 150 may be located upstream of the crusher 400. The feed size analyser 150 may be located adjacent to the feed section 440. According to embodiments, the feed section 440 comprises a feed hopper or a dump pocket, and the feed size analyser 150 may be located on or adjacent to the feed hopper or the dump pocket. The feed size analyser may be located on one or more devices that load the mined material on to a dump truck. The devices that load the mined materials on to the dump truck may be shovels or excavators (not shown). The feed size analyser may be located on a shovel or excavator. The feed size analyser may be on or adjacent to a digging face of the shovel or excavator. The feed size analyser 150 may be configured to determine a size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or a feed size distribution of the mined material in the feed section 440. The feed size analyser 150 may be connected to or installed on the feed section 440. The feed size analyser 150 may be positioned above the feed section 440. The feed size analyser 150 may be configured to determine a size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or a feed size distribution of mined material in the bed 310 of the delivery device 300. The size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or the feed size distribution may be determined prior to or during placement of the mined material onto the bed 310 of the delivery device 300. The feed size analyser 150 may be configured to determine a size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or a feed size distribution of a mined material on a feed conveyor (not shown). The size of 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 at least one piece of the mined material and / or the feed size distribution may be determined prior to or during placement of the mined material onto a feed conveyor. The feed size analyser 150 may determine a size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or a feed size distribution of the mined material as it is dispensed into the feed section 150. The feed size analyser 150 may determine the size of at least one piece of the mined material and / or the feed size distribution of the mined material as it is dispensed into the crusher 400.

[0081] The system 100 may comprise a weight measuring device 160. The weight measuring device may be a weightometer or scales. The weight measuring device 160 may be connected to or part of the discharge conveyor 500. The weight measuring device 160 may detect a weight of the crushed material on the discharge conveyor 500 or may detect a weight of the crushed material on at least a portion of the discharge conveyor 500. The weight measuring device 160 may continuously weigh the crushed material on the discharge conveyor 500. The weight measuring device 160 may take cumulative readings of the weight of crushed material on the discharge conveyor 500 or on at least a portion of the discharge conveyor 500.

[0082] The system 100 may further receive data representative of the hardness of the mined material. In other words, the system may receive and / or process hardness data representative of a hardness of the mined material. The hardness may be determined by a hardness sensor. Hardness of the mined material may be determined from at least one blast hole sample. The hardness may be determined when the material is mined, and / or when the material is on the delivery device 300, and / or at any time prior to the mined material entering the crusher 400. The hardness data may be received by the controller 200. The hardness data may be included in a geological block and / or resource model. Metallurgical information may also be included in the geological block and / or resource model. A dump truck delivering the mined material to the crusher may include the geological block and / or resource model. The geological block and / or resource model may be sent to the controller as an input.

[0083] The hardness of the mined material may be directly related to the grindability of the mined material. In other words, the mined material may have a low grindability when it has a high hardness. The hardness of the mined material may be 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 determined from the composition of the mined material, and / or a mineral grain size, and / or a texture of the mined material. A mined material with high hardness may contain one or more elements or minerals. Additionally, or alternatively, high hardness may occur when the amount of three element(s) or mineral(s) exceeds a threshold value within the mined material or within a sample of the mined material. The element(s) or mineral(s) causing the mined material to be high hardness may include or contain silicon. The element(s) or mineral(s) may include silicates, such as quartz. The mined material may be considered high hardness where the presence of quartz and / or silicates exceeds a threshold amount in a sample of the mined material. Ore hardness may be related to quartz content, magnetite grain size and / or texture.

[0084] The mined material may be analysed to determine if it is high hardness after it has been mined or after at least one sample of the mined material has been taken before or after mining. The sample(s) may be taken after boreholes have been drilled at a mining location, such as a pit. The sample(s) may be transported to a testing location for analysis, such as a laboratory. The sample(s) may undergo initial milling time (IMT) testing and / or element assay and / or metallurgical testing. The analysis may determine beneficiability, grindability or workability of the mined material. The sample(s) may be analysed to determine the ore hardness prior to commencing mining and / or blasting operations. The mined material may be blended or mixed in order to try and achieve a relatively stable hardness and / or beneficiability / grindability.

[0085] In one example, at least one mined material sample is taken from a drill hole at a mining site. The sample(s) may be split and / or crushed where over a predetermined size, such as over 2mm in particle size, until they are below a predetermined size, such as less than 2mm in particle size. A portion of the sample may be pulverised for a predetermined amount of time. For example, a 75g portion of the sample may be pulverised for about 50 seconds. The pulverised portion of the sample may be analysed to determine particle size distribution, such as by using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000. A P80 value of the sample from the analysis may be recorded. The P80 value may be a size at or beneath which 80% of the analysed sample is within. If the P80 value of the sample exceeds a predetermined amount the sample may be high hardness. For example, the P80 value for an analysed sample of magnetite ore may be generally in the range of 55-85 pm. A P80 value at the upper 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 end of this range or higher may be high hardness. A P80 value of above 70pm, above 74pm, above 75pm, above 78pm and / or above 80pm may be considered high hardness by the analysis. A hardness value from the analysis may be sent to the controller as an input value.

[0086] In the example shown in Figure 1, the crusher 400 is a gyratory crusher. Other types of crushers could be used with the system, such as a cone crusher, a jaw crusher, an impact crusher or any other type of crusher. The crusher 400 is preferably a primary crusher. The primary crusher may be configured to crush and / or grind an unprocessed mined material. The system or method includes a controller 200 which may receive inputs / data on various parameters and may provide control signals to the crusher 400.

[0087] The mined material may be provided to the system 100 by a delivery device 300 in the form of a dump truck, as shown in Figure 1. A delivery device sensor may sense when the delivery device 300 is in position to dump the mined material into the feed section 440. The delivery device 300 may be operated by an operator. The delivery device 300 may be fully or partly autonomously controlled. The delivery device 300 may receive a signal indicating when the mined material is to be dumped. When the signal is received by the delivery device 300 it may dump the mined material into the feed section 440 and / or raise its bed 310. The delivery device 300 may receive a signal indicating that a rate of dumping of the mined material should be increased. The delivery device 300 may receive a signal indicating that a dumping rate of the mined material should be maintained. The delivery device 300 may receive a signal indicating that a dumping rate should be reduced. The delivery device 300 may receive a signal to stop dumping. In response to the signal to reduce the dumping rate and / or to stop dumping, the delivery device 300 may stop dumping and / or lower its bed 310. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a dump signal device 130 is provided to instruct an operator of the delivery device 300. A first signal from the dump signal device 130 may instruct the operator to begin dumping mined material and / or to increase a dumping rate. The first signal may be a green light. A second signal from the dump signal device 130 may instruct the operator to stop dumping the mined material and / or to reduce a dumping rate. The second signal may be a red light. A third signal from the dump signal device 130 may instruct the operator to maintain the current dumping rate. The third signal may be an amber light. 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 The dump signal device 130 may be controlled and / or monitored by the controller 200. In other embodiments, other signalling devices or methods may be employed by the system 100. In some embodiments, the dumping action of the delivery device 300 may be autonomously controlled without requiring a visible signal. In some embodiments, the signal(s) to begin or stop dumping mined material and / or to increase or decrease the dumping rate and / or to maintain the current dumping rate may be audible and / or visual.

[0088] The system 100 may include a feed section 440. The feed section 440 may be in the form of a feed hopper or a dump pocket. The feed section 440 is configured to receive a mined material. The mined material may be an unprocessed material. The mined material may include a mineral. The mined material may include a plurality of minerals. The mined material may include an ore, such as a run-of-mine (ROM) ore. The mined material may preferably include magnetite.

[0089] The mined material may be received through an upper end of the feed section 440. The upper end may be an opening of the feed section 440. According to other embodiments, the mined material may be received through a side opening of the feed section 440. The feed section 440 may be positioned adjacent to the crusher 400. The feed section 440 may be located above the crusher 400. The feed section 440 may be directly adjacent to an upper end of the crusher. The feed section 440 may form an upper portion of a crusher assembly. The feed section 440 may temporarily hold the mined material.

[0090] An upper end of the crusher 400 may receive the mined material. The feed section 440 may feed the mined material received therein to the crusher 400. The feed section 400 may temporarily hold the mined material before the mined material is transferred to the crusher 400. The upper end of the crusher 400 may include at least one aperture through which the mined material is received. The upper end of the crusher 400 may include a spider assembly 420. The spider assembly 420 may include the at least one aperture. The spider assembly 420 may include a spider cap 422. The spider cap 422 may support and house an upper end of a shaft of the crusher 400. The spider may include at least one spider arm 425. The spider assembly 420 may include a plurality of spider arms 425. The at least one aperture may be located between and / or defined by the spider arms 425. 2024219484   06 Sep 2024

[0091] The crusher 400 may include a shaft which is configured to rotate. A mantle may be attached to the shaft. The mantle may be formed from a hardened material, such as hardened steel. The shaft may be mounted off centre such that it extends substantially at an angle to the vertical. The shaft may rotate in an eccentric motion. The eccentric motion may be substantially elliptical.

[0092] The crusher 400 may include a shell or housing. The shell or housing may define an inner volume of the crusher within which the shaft and mantle may be contained. The shell or housing has a liner or sheath. The liner may be formed of a hardened material, such as hardened steel. The inner shell / housing may also be referred to as a concave or bowl. The liner faces the mantle. The crusher 400 may be configured to crush the mined material between the mantle and liner. A gap between the mantle and the liner may be larger towards the top of the crusher and lower towards the bottom of the crusher. The eccentric motion of the rotation of the shaft may result in a variance in the gap between the outer surface of the mantle and the liner from one side of the mantle to the other. At the lower end of the mantle there may be a gap setting which defines the size of crushed material which may be discharged from the crusher. The gap setting may be at the side of the mantle where the gap is largest, which may also be referred to as the open side setting (OSS). The smaller gap between the mantle and the liner on the opposite side to the OSS may be referred to as the closed side setting (CSS).

[0093] For a gyratory crusher 400, the gap setting may be adjusted by raising or lowering the shaft relative to the liner. For example, lowering the shaft may cause the gap setting between the mantle and liner to be increased and the crusher 400 to discharge crushed material of a larger size. Raising the shaft may cause the gap setting between the mantle and liner to be reduced and the crusher 400 to discharge crushed material of a smaller size. The shaft may be raised and / or lowered using hydraulics. Other types of crusher, such as cone crusher, jaw crusher and impact crusher, may also have a gap setting that may be adjusted to define a size of crushed material. The gap setting may be increased to increase a size of the crushed material discharged and the gap setting may be reduced to decrease a size of the crushed material discharged. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be adjusted when a control signal is received from the controller 200. 2024219484   06 Sep 2024

[0094] The controller 200 may send the control signal to the crusher 400 causing the gap setting to adjust based on the one or more inputs. The controller 200 may use a control logic to determine when a control signal instructing the gap setting to be increased or decreased is sent. The controller 200 may be or may include a programmable logic controller. The controller 200 may include any one or more of at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one communication means, such as a transmitter, transceiver, modem or connection to a wired or wireless network, and / or a software or computer programming.

[0095] In response to one or more control signals received from the controller 200, the crusher 400 may adjust a crushing force. The crusher 400 may comprise a hydraulics which may be adjusted to increase or decrease a crushing force in response to the one or more control signals. The hydraulics may be used to adjust the gap setting of the crusher 400. The frequency of the crusher 400 may be adjusted in response to one or more control signals.

[0096] The mantle and / or liner of the shell of the crusher 400 may wear down over time. A service life of the liner may be longer than a service life of the mantle. The service life of the liner may be about 2 times longer than the service life of the mantle. One liner may be paired with two mantles during its service life. For example, a liner may have service life of over 3 million tons of mined material throughput. A mantle may have a service of over 1.5 million tons of mined material throughput.

[0097] A wear or wear rate(s) of the mantle and / or liner may be determined based on a cumulative throughput of mined material being crushed by the crusher and / or based on the hardness of the mined material. The cumulative throughput of mined material may be determined from a cumulative readings or weight inputs from the weight measuring device 160. The gap setting of the crusher may be automatically adjusted based on the cumulative throughput of mined material crushed by the crusher. The controller may monitor and send control signal(s) to the crusher based on determined wear, cumulative throughput or wear rate(s) of the mantle and / or liner. The wear rate(s) of the mantle and / or liner may be determined from known wear rates of the materials from which the mantle / liner is formed over usage times or number of rotations of the mantle or amount of mined material cumulatively crushed. The wear of the mantle and / or liner may be determined by the controller 200 and may be 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 tracked over time. Additionally or alternatively, one or more wear sensors may be utilised to determine the wear of the mantle and / or liner. The controller 200 may send a control signal to the crusher 400 when determined wear reaches one or more thresholds. The crusher 400 may adjust the gap setting in response to the control signal from the crusher. The gap setting may be reduced in response to a control signal representative of a threshold wear of the mantle and / or liner. This may allow the system 100 to compensate for the wear rate of the liner and / or mantle.

[0098] A cumulative weight or mass of mined material that has been crushed may be determined. The controller may determine the cumulative weight or mass of mined material that has been crushed through receiving at least one weight input from scales or a weightometer. The scales or weightometer may be part of or adjacent to the discharge conveyor. The cumulative weight or mass of mined material that has been crushed may be used to estimate a wear or wear rate of the mantle and / or liner. The gap setting of the crusher may be adjusted based on the cumulative weight or mass of mined material that has been crushed. The gap setting may be adjusted at intervals of about 50,000 tons of mined material that has been crushed.

[0099] A P80 value may be recorded as P80JMT (initial milling time) and measured in pm. According to a first example where the mined material has a P80JMT value at or below 68pm, the gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set to about 195mm during the throughput up to 750,000 tons of mined material for a standard mantle or during the throughput of up to 500,000 tons for an oversize mantle. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set at about 190mm during the throughput of the next up to 750,000 tons of mined material for a standard mantle or during through throughput of the next 500,000 tons for an oversize mantle. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set at about 185mm during any further throughput of mined material for a standard mantle or during through throughput of the next 500,000 tons for an oversize mantle. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set to 180mm during any further throughput of mined material for an oversized mantle.

[0100] According to a second example where the mined material has a P80JMT value above 68pm, the gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set to about 190mm during the throughput up to 750,000 tons of mined material for a standard mantle or during the throughput of up to 500,000 tons for an oversize mantle. The gap setting of 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 the crusher 400 may be set at about 185mm during any further throughput for the standard mantle or during through throughput of the next 500,000 tons for the oversize mantle. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be set to 180mm during any further throughput of mined material for the oversized mantle. The gap settings provided above are not standard for all situations and do not account for changes to the gap setting due to other inputs received by the controller.

[0101] When crushed material has been discharged from the crusher 200 at a desired size due to the gap setting, the crushed material may enter a discharge bin 450. The discharge bin 450 may be configured to hold an amount of the crushed material and discharge it onto the conveyor 500. The discharge bin 450 may have an open upper end and a discharge opening at its lower end. The discharge opening may be smaller than the open upper end. The discharge bin 450 may be at least partially tapered towards the discharge opening. The discharge bin 450 may form a lower part of the crusher assembly. The discharge bin 450 may be positioned below the crusher 400. The discharge bin 450 may form an inlet to the discharge conveyor 500. The crushed material from the crusher 400 may drop into the discharge bin 450 through gravity.

[0102] In operation, a predetermined level or predetermined range of crushed material is desired within the discharge bin 450 in order to ensure smooth operation of the system 100. When the amount of crushed material within the discharge bin 450 is above a predetermined level traditionally the crusher 400 will be stopped for a period for the discharge bin level to be reduced. Downtime of the crusher 400 is, however, undesirable. Further, when the amount of crushed material within the discharge bin 450 is below a predetermined level there is an increased risk that pieces of the crushed material may fall from the crusher 400 directly onto the conveyor 500. Crushed material falling a greater distance onto the conveyor 500, such as directly from the crusher 400, may cause damage to the conveyor 500 which may lead to further downtime if repairs are required. It is therefore desired that the level of crushed material in the discharge bin is kept within a predetermined range to avoid downtime or damage.

[0103] The discharge conveyor 500 may be speed adjustable. The discharge conveyor 500 may adjust its speed in response to one or more control signals 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 received from the controller. The controller 200 may make the determination of the level of the crushed material in the discharge bin 450 based on at least one discharge level input received from the discharge level sensor 110. The controller 200 may send the one or more control signals to the discharge conveyor when it is determines that the crushed material in the discharge bin 450 is above a predetermined level. The speed of the conveyor 500 may be increased when the discharge level is above a predetermined level. The controller 200 may send the one or more control signals to the discharge conveyor when it is determined that the crushed material in the discharge bin 450 is below a predetermined level. The speed of the conveyor 500 may be decreased when the discharge level is below a predetermined level. Adjusting the speed of the conveyor may assist in keeping the level of crushed material within the discharge bin 450 within the desired range. This may reduce or prevent downtime of the system 100 and / or may prevent or reduce damage to the conveyor 500. Where the speed of the discharge conveyor 500 is adjusted based on discharge level, the dump signal device 130 and / or crusher 400 may also be adjusted, for example in response to a control signal, in order to maintain a desired feed level and / or desired discharge level.

[0104] The system or method may enable choke feeding of mined material to the crusher 400 to be maintained. To maintain choke feeding, the system or method may include any one or more of: monitoring the mined material via the feed level sensor 120, where the controller 200 may monitor a feed level input from the feed level sensor 120; controlling the dump rate of mined material to the feed section 440, which may be via dump signal device 130 that may receive a control signal from the controller 200; monitoring the crushed material via the discharge level sensor 110, where the controller 200 may monitor a discharge level input from the discharge level sensor 110. The power draw of the crusher 400 may also be maintained. Maintaining choke feeding to the crusher 400 may assist in reducing or preventing elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped pieces of mined material from passing through the crusher 400 and therefore may prevent damage to elements of the system such as the discharge conveyor 500.

[0105] The system or method may maintain a desired discharge size distribution of crushed material. The controller 200 may monitor the feed size of mined material, such as via the feed size analyser 150, as described herein. The controller 200 may 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 monitor the discharge size of crushed material, such as via the discharge size analyser 140, as described herein. The controller 200 may send a control signal to the crusher 400 based on the monitored feed size and / or discharge size. The crusher 400 may be adjusted in response to the control signal to provide the desired discharge size of the crushed material. The control signal may cause the crusher 400 to adjust its gap setting, e.g., open side setting. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be adjusted to provide the desired discharge particle size. The feed size distribution may be F80 and / or the discharge size distribution may be P80.

[0106] The controller 200 may receive an input from the feed size analyser 150 and may determine whether one or more pieces of crushed material are oversized, elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped. When at least one detected piece of crushed material is oversized, elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped the controller 200 may send at least one control signal. A control signal may be sent to the dump signal device 130 which may cause it to alter a dump rate. A control signal may be sent to the conveyor 500 which may cause it to alter its speed. A control signal may be sent to the crusher 400. A control signal may be sent to the crusher 400 instructing the crusher 400 to stop crushing if one or more pieces of oversized mined material is detected. The crusher 400 may be stopped for removal of the oversized piece(s) of mined material. The control signal may cause the crusher 400 to adjust at least one operating parameter. The control signal may cause the crusher 400 to adjust the gap setting. In other words, when at least one piece of elongate, blocky and / or slabshaped mined material is detected the gap setting of the crusher may be adjusted. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be decreased. Decreasing the gap setting of the crusher may avoid pieces of elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped mined material passing through the crusher without being crushed. The gap setting of the crusher 400 may be adjusted in real time. The adjustment of the gap setting of the crusher 400 may prevent or reduce occurrences of bogging events, which may also assist in reducing downtime of the system 100. Where the gap setting of the crusher 400 is adjusted based on the feed size, the dump signal device 130 and / or conveyor 500 may also be adjusted, for example in response to a control signal, in order to maintain a desired feed level and / or a desired discharge level.

[0107] The controller 200 may receive a hardness input of a detected hardness of the mined material. The controller 200 may receive a hardness input when a high 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 hardness is detected. The controller 200 may determine whether the hardness of the mined material is a high hardness based on the hardness input. The controller 200 may send at least one control signal when the mined material is determined to be high hardness. A control signal may be sent to the dump signal device 130 which may cause it to alter a dump rate. A control signal may be sent to the conveyor 500 which may cause it to alter its speed. A control signal may be sent to the crusher 400. The control signal may cause the crusher 400 to adjust at least one operating parameter. The control signal may cause the crusher 400 to adjust the gap setting. The gap setting may be decreased when a high hardness mined material is detected. The gap setting may be adjusted based on the material hardness in real time. The gap setting may be decreased when a high hardness mined material is detected and the high hardness mined material has a detected size above a predetermined range. Adjusting the gap setting in response to high hardness mined material may prevent or reduce occurrences of conveyor ripping or blocking downstream of the crusher. Where the gap setting of the crusher 400 is adjusted based on the hardness of the mined material, the dump signal device 130 and / or conveyor 500 may also be adjusted, for example in response to a control signal, in order to maintain a desired feed level and / or a desired discharge level.

[0108] The system 100 may include a crusher lubrication system which provides lubrication oil (lube oil) to the crusher 400. The crusher lubrication system may assist in providing smooth running of the system 100. The lube oil temperature may be kept within a desired temperature range. The controller 200 may receive one or more lube inputs from the crusher lubrication system and / or lube oil temperature. The controller 200 may send a control signal based on the lube input.

[0109] The system 100 may include at least one cooling device / system that provides cooling to the crusher lubrication system. The cooling device / system may include a cooling fan, air conditioner or chiller. In this regard, the cooling device / system may be a chilling device. The cooling or chilling device / system may be external to the crusher lubrication system. The cooling or chilling device / system may be part of the crusher lubrication system. The crusher lubrication system may be provided with external cooling. Cooling the crusher lubrication system may reduce the lube oil temperature. A reduced temperature of lube oil in the crusher lubrication system may improve an operational stability and / or service life of the crusher. 2024219484   06 Sep 2024

[0110] The controller 200 of the system 100 may be a main controller. The main controller may send signals to other controllers within the system 100 and / or may govern operation of the entire system 100. The system 100 may include at least one secondary controller which receives control signals from the main controller. The secondary controller(s) may control at least one part of the system, including one or more of the dump signal device, the crusher, the conveyor, the delivery device and / or the crusher lubrication system. The secondary controller may comprise a PLC.

[0111] The crusher system 100 may be ready for operation when any one or more of: the crusher lubrication system is running; downstream components, which may include a tripper conveyor, overland conveyor and / or transfer conveyor (not shown in Figure 1), are functioning or operational; a crusher warm-up process has completed and the crusher is running; a rotation speed of the crusher is above a low limit; the discharge conveyor is running; the dump signal device is functioning, and its breaker or control fuse may be on; the lube oil is within a desired temperature range; the feed level is below an upper limit; the discharge level is below an upper limit; control software is running; communication system(s) are functional; and / or an auto lowering function of the crusher shaft is not active. The controller 200 may receive at least one input indicative of one or more of these. The controller 200 may send one or more control signals to begin operation of the system 100 based on the at least one input. When the system 100 is operational, the dump signal device 130 may provide an instruction to begin dumping of mined material into the feed section 440, this may be when a delivery device sensor has determined the mined material is ready to be dumped. Then the system 100 may function as described to crush the mined material to a desired size distribution and to be kept running in an optimal manner through monitoring by the controller 200. The controller logic may function as part of a feedback circuit by receiving inputs and sending control signals to adjust parameters, such as dump rate, gap setting of crusher and / or speed of discharge conveyor, and then receiving further inputs from the various sensors of the system.

[0112] While the invention has been described in conjunction with a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternative, modifications and variations in light of the foregoing description are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such 2024219484   06 Sep 2024 alternative, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.

[0113] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. List of drawing references: 100      Crusher control system 110      Discharge level sensor 120      Feed level sensor 130      Dump signal device 140      Discharge size analyser 150      Feed size analyser 160      Weight measuring device 200      Controller 300      Delivery device 310     Bed 400      Gyratory crusher 410      Shaft 420      Spider 422      Spider cap 425     Spider arm 440      Feed section 450      Discharge bin 500      Discharge conveyor

Claims

1. A system for mining comprising:a crusher assembly comprising a primary crusher configured to receive a mined material and to crush the mined material to form a crushed material;a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to receive the crushed material form the primary crusher;a discharge conveyor, the discharge bin being configured to discharge the crushed material to the discharge conveyor, and the discharge conveyor is configured to receive and convey the crushed material;a discharge level sensor configured to detect a level of crushed material in the discharge bin; anda controller,wherein the controller is configured to: i) receive one or more inputs; and ii) use control logic to send one or more control signals to the discharge conveyor to adjust its use based on the one or more inputs, wherein the one or more inputs includes a discharge level input from the discharge level sensor, and wherein a conveyor speed of the discharge conveyor is adjusted in real time based on the discharge level input to maintain or increase the level of crushed material in the discharge bin above a minimum value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the discharge conveyor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a feed level sensor is configured to detect a level of mined material to the primary crusher, and wherein the one or more inputs includes a feed level input from the feed level sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the crusher assembly comprises a feed section configured to receive the mined material and feed the mined material to the primary crusher, wherein the feed level sensor detects a level of mined material within the feed section.2024219484   15 Jul 20264. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a feed size analyser is configured to determine a size distribution of the mined material to be received by the primary crusher and / or configured to determine a size of each piece of mined material to be received by the primary crusher, andwherein the one or more inputs includes a feed size input from the feed size analyser.

5. The system of claim 4 when dependent from claim 3, wherein the feed size analyser is positioned adjacent to the feed section and / or is configured to determine the size distribution of the mined material within the feed section and / or is configured to determine a size of each piece of mined material within the feed section.

6. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a discharge size analyser is configured to determine a size distribution of the crushed material and / or configured to detect a size of at least one piece of crushed material, and wherein the one or more inputs includes a discharge size input from the discharge size analyser.

7. The system of claim 7, wherein the discharge size analyser is positioned adjacent to the discharge conveyor and / or determines a size distribution of the crushed material on at least a portion of the discharge conveyor and / or determines a size of at least one piece of crushed material on at least a portion of the discharge conveyor.

8. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a weight measuring device is configured to measure a weight of the crushed material on at least a portion of the discharge conveyor, and wherein the one or more inputs include a weight input from the weight measuring device, optionally wherein the weight measuring device takes cumulative readings.

9. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dump signal device is configured to receive a control signal from the controller, the dump signal device signalling to a delivery device at least whether to dump the mined2024219484   15 Jul 2026material into the primary crusher or stop dumping the mined material, preferably wherein the dump signal device is controlled by the controller to send a signal or signals to the delivery device to give a dump rate that maintains a predetermined level of mined material in the crusher assembly.

10. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a delivery device sensor is configured to detect a delivery device, wherein the one or more inputs includes an arrival input from the delivery device sensor.

11. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary crusher is a gyratory crusher, cone crusher, jaw crusher or impact crusher.

12. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gap setting of the primary crusher is controlled through one or more control signals received by the primary crusher from the controller.

13. The system of claim 14, wherein the gap setting is an open side setting (OSS), and wherein the primary crusher is a gyratory crusher.

14. The system of claim 14 or 15, wherein:the controller receives a hardness input of the mined material, and wherein the gap setting of the primary crusher is adjusted based on the hardness input; and / orwherein the gap setting is decreased for mined material of high hardness; and / orwherein the gap setting of the primary crusher is decreased when the feed size analyser of claim 4 or 5 detects at least one elongate, blocky and / or slab-shaped piece of mined material; and / orwherein the gap setting of the primary crusher is adjusted to compensate for wear of a mantle and / or a liner of the primary crusher, preferably wherein the wear of the mantle and / or the liner is detected by at least one sensor and / or is calculated based on known wear rates of the mantle and / or the liner over time; and / orwherein the gap setting is adjusted based on a feed size distribution2024219484   15 Jul 2026monitored by the feed size analyser of claim 4 or 5 and / or a discharge size distribution monitored by the discharge size analyser of claim 7 or 8, preferably wherein the gap setting of the primary crusher is adjusted to provide a discharge size distribution suitable for a downstream autogenous grinding (AG) mill or a downstream semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill.

15. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller comprises at least one processor, at least one memory, and / or at least one communications module.

16. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller utilises the control logic to send control signals to the primary crusher and / or discharge conveyor, based on the one or more inputs, to adjust the use of the primary crusher and / or discharge conveyor to achieve a desired processed state of the mined material.

17. The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a crusher lubrication system and a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is configured to reduce a temperature of a lubrication oil of the crusher lubrication system.

18. A method of mining, the method including:a) delivering mined material to a crusher assembly via a delivery device;b) crushing the mined material by a primary crusher of the crusher assembly to form a crushed material;c) receiving the crushed material from the primary crusher in a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to discharge the crushed material to a discharge conveyor;d) monitoring a discharge level of crushed material in the discharge bin to determine a discharge level input;e) providing the discharge level input to a controller;f) determining by the controller whether the discharge level of the crushed material in the discharge bin is at or below a predetermined value2024219484   15 Jul 2026based at least on the discharge level input;g) sending one or more control signals to the discharge conveyor by the controller when it is determined that the discharge level is below the predetermined value;h) in response to the one or more control signals, adjusting a conveyor speed of the discharge conveyor to maintain or increase the discharge level of crushed material in the discharge bin above the threshold value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the discharge conveyor; andi) delivering the crushed material to a location using the discharge conveyor.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising adjusting use of at least one of the delivery device, crusher assembly or the discharge conveyor based on one or more inputs to achieve a desired state of the mined material, and wherein:the desired state of the mined material includes maintaining a level of feed of the mined material to or in the crusher assembly; preferably wherein the level of feed provides choke feeding of the crusher assembly; and / orthe desired state of the mined material includes a size of the mined material crushed by the primary crusher; and / oradjusting use of the crusher assembly includes adjusting a gap setting of the primary crusher; and / oradjusting use of the delivery device includes adjusting a delivery rate of the mined material to the crusher assembly; and / ormonitoring the mined material comprises monitoring a size of the mined material; and / ormonitoring the mined material comprises monitoring a level of the mined material; and / ora controller controls adjusting the delivery device, crusher assembly, and / or discharge conveyor based on the one or more inputs; and / orthe method further comprises cooling a temperature of a lubrication oil of a crusher lubrication system with a cooling device.2024219484   15 Jul 202620. An automated method of controlling a mining system, the mining system comprising:a delivery device that delivers a mined material;a crusher assembly comprising a primary crusher, wherein the primary crusher receives the mined material from the delivery device, and crushes the mined material, and discharges a crushed material;a discharge bin positioned directly below the primary crusher, the discharge bin configured to receive the crushed material form the primary crusher; anda discharge conveyor that receives the crushed material discharged from the primary crusher, andwherein the method comprises:providing a controller configured to receive one or more inputs and to provide at least one control signal to the mining system based on the one or more inputs,wherein the one or more inputs comprises a discharge level input from a discharge level sensor, the discharge level sensor configured to detect a level of crushed material in the discharge bin;wherein the at least one control signal to the mining system comprises a signal instructing the discharge conveyor to increase its speed and / or a signal instructing the discharge conveyor to reduce its speed; andwherein the speed of the discharge conveyer is adjusted in real time based on the discharge level input to maintain or increase the level of crushed material in the discharge bin above a minimum value to prevent or reduce instances of damage caused by material falling directly onto the conveyor.

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