Method and system for analysing ore

Abstract

A system for analysing ore. The system includes a support structure and at least one sensor which is mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel. The at least one sensor is positioned at a height which allows the at least one sensor to sense downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface. The at least one sensor may be configured to assess a grade of the ore. More specifically, the at least one sensor may be configured to assess the grade and mineralogy of the ore. The system may include two sensors, wherein the one sensor is configured to assess an elemental grade of the ore, and the other sensor is configured to assess mineralogical abundance of different minerals contained in the ore.

Description

[0001] TITLE: METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYSING ORE

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a method and system for analysing ore.

[0004] Bulk ore sorting (BOS) involves the use of sensing technology to reject waste ore prior to minerals processing for the purpose of reducing the energy intensity of the mining process and optimising the cost expended per tonne of metal produced. In conventional BOS, sensors are installed after the primary crusher to detect the grade of ore on the conveyor belt. A threshold can then be applied, making it possible to identify low grade ores and reject them to the waste pile or stockpile.

[0005] Up to now, the market has only presented one credible solution for sensing during excavation. This solution is based on XRF (X-ray fluorescence) sensing technology where sensors are mounted in / on a bucket of an excavator, in order to measure elemental composition of ore within the bucket during mining. However, due to the location of the sensors, they are vulnerable to damage as a result of rocks which may hit the sensor during excavation operations. The sensors are also subjected to significant levels of shock and vibration which can have a detrimental impact on the longevity of the sensors. There are typically multiple excavators at an excavation site, which means that a sensor would need to be installed on each excavator bucket, which makes it quite expensive to implement.

[0006] The Inventor wishes to address at least some of the problems mentioned above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of analysing ore, wherein the method includes: sensing / scanning ore contained in a tipping bed / tipper bed / tray (hereinafter only referred to as the tipping bed) of a truck by using at least one sensor which is spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed.

[0008] The at least one sensor may be located above the tipping bed and may be directed to sense / scan operatively downwardly towards the ore contained in the tipping bed of the truck, when the sensing is performed by the at least one sensor.

[0009] The method may include driving the truck into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed.

[0010] The method may include installing the at least one sensor on a support structure which allows a truck to drive into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed. The method may include installing the at least one sensor on a tower or tower structure.

[0011] The method may include installing the at least one sensor on a gantry which allows a truck to drive into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed.

[0012] The method may include shielding the at least one sensor by positioning one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations around the at least one sensor, when viewed along a sensing direction of the at least one sensor. The sensing direction may be operatively downwardly (i.e. towards a tipping bed of a truck). The one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations may extend operatively downwardly from the at least one sensor or from the support structure on which the at least one sensor is installed / mounted.

[0013] The method may include displacing / moving the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations relative to the support structure between an inoperative higher position and an operative lower position. When in the inoperative higher position, the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations is / are in a higher position than when in the operative lower position. When in the operative lower position, the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations extend(s) downwardly from the at least one sensor. The method may include displacing / moving the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations relative to the support structure into the inoperative higher position, in order to allow a truck to drive in underneath the at least sensor. The method may include, once the truck is underneath, lowering the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations into its / their operative lower position. The method may include sensing the ore contained inside a tipper of the truck after the one or more shields / screens / skirts or one or more blocking formations has / have been lowered into its operative lower position.

[0014] The method may include mounting the support structure on a ground surface. The support structure may include two spaced-apart supports which extend upwardly from the ground surface and a joining structure which interconnects respective top portions of the supports. The supports, when mounted on the ground surface, may define a throughway therebetween in order to allow a truck to drive there between and pass underneath the joining structure. The method may include mounting the at least one sensor on the joining structure such that it is directed downwardly in order to allow it to scan ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is located in-between the supports and underneath the joining structure. The at least one sensor may be a standoff sensor. Stand-off sensor refers to the use of sensor technology which can measure the properties for interest without immediate proximity to the ore under examination. A short range implementation may be placed at a range of about 1 meter. However the range of standoff sensors can extend further to several meters (e.g. 5 meters for example). An operational range of the standoff sensor may therefore be at least 1 meter, preferably at least 2 meters, more preferably at least 3 meters, even more preferably at least 4 meters (e.g. 5 meters).

[0015] The at least one sensor may be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor. The at least one sensor may form part of a LIBS system. The at least one sensor mentioned above may preferably be two or more sensors. The method may therefore include sensing / scanning ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck by using two or more sensors which are both spaced from the truck and which are each positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed. The method may also include installing the two or more sensors on the support structure which allows a truck to drive into a position where the two sensors are located above the tipping bed. The method may include installing the two or more sensors on the gantry which allows a truck to drive into a position where the two or more sensors are located above the tipping bed.

[0016] A first sensor of the two or more sensors may be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor. A second sensor of the two or more sensors may also be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

[0017] The method may include mounting the two or more sensors together or proximate each other. The method may include mounting the two or more sensors on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel. The two or more sensors may be positioned at a height which allows the two or more sensors to sense / scan downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface. The two or more sensors may be mounted on the joining structure. The two sensors may be different types of sensors. The method may include making a sorting decision and directing the truck towards a particular destination, based on information obtained from the at least one sensor, after it has sensed / scanned the ore contained in the tipping bed of the particular truck.

[0018] The step of sensing / scanning the ore may include using the at least one sensor to determine an elemental composition of the ore.

[0019] “Elemental composition” refers to the relative abundance of different elements within a material. “Grade” refers to the elemental abundance of a particular element. Hence, grade is often a colloquial term for the elemental composition in reference to a particular metal. Mineralogical grade is of reference in resources where the product is a mineral and not a metal. For instance, “Grade” in Bauxite mining refers to the abundance of the mineral “Bauxite”, whereas Grade in a gold mine refers to the abundance of Gold on an elemental basis in a gold resource.

[0020] The step of sensing / scanning the ore may include using the at least one sensor to determine a grade of the ore. The sensing step may therefore include sensing ore contained in the tipping bed in order to determine a grade of the ore, by using the at least one sensor which is spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed. More specifically, the step of sensing / scanning the ore may include using the at least one sensor to determine the grade and / or minerology of the ore.

[0021] The grade may refer to the elemental abundance of a particular metal within the ore. Alternatively, the grade may be mineralogical grade which refers to an abundance / amount of a particular mineral within the ore.

[0022] The sensing / scanning step may include using two sensors which are spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed. More specifically, the sensing / scanning step may include using a first sensor of the two sensors to assess an elemental grade of the ore. The sensing / scanning step may include using a second sensor of the two sensors to assess mineralogical abundance of different minerals contained in the ore. The first sensor may by a LIBS sensor. The second sensor may be a LIBS sensor.

[0023] The method may include using the at least one sensor to measure lithology in order to categorize a given ore sample in terms of rock type.

[0024] The method may include utilising data / information obtained from the at least one sensor in order to determine ore value of the ore which has been scanned / sensed by the at least one sensor.

[0025] The method may include utilising a combination of data / information from the two or more sensors in order to determine the ore value of the ore which has been scanned / sensed by the at least two sensors.

[0026] The method may include utilising the determined ore value in order to determine: where the scanned / sensed ore should be transported to; and / or whether excavation operations should be focused at a particular area / location where the scanned / sensed ore was obtained from.

[0027] The method may include using a communication module to communicate a decision as to (i) where the scanned / sensed ore should be transported to, and / or (ii) whether excavation operations should be focused at a particular area / location where the scanned / sensed ore was / is located. The decision may be communicated to a driver of the particular truck. The method may include displaying the decision on a display screen located inside a cabin of the truck. The method may include utilising the determined ore value in order to plan future excavation operations (e.g. where to transport the scanned ore to or whether excavation operations should be focused on an area where the ore was scanned).

[0028] The method may include utilising the data / information obtained from the at least one sensor in order to execute / perform feed-forward control to a plant. The method may include using data related to hardness or fragmentation which is obtained from the one or more sensors in order to control a comminution operation. The method may include using data related to minerology which is obtained from the one or more sensors in order to inform / update / formulate reagent recipes in a flotation plant.

[0029] The method may include utilising the data / information obtained from the at least one sensor in order to execute / perform feed-back control to blasting operations. The method may include using data related to hardness of the ore which is obtained from the one or more sensors in order to inform / control blast practices.

[0030] The method may include displacing / moving the at least one sensor relative to the support structure during sensing / scanning. More specifically, the method may include displacing / moving the at least one sensor relative to the support structure as the truck moves, in order to allow the at least one sensor to sense / scan ore contained in the tipping bed of the truck while the truck is in motion. The method may include using laser-based tracking or camerabased tracking in order to displace / move the at least one sensor relative to the support structure during scanning / sensing while the truck is in motion. The displacement / movement of the at least one sensor may be performed by using a displacement arrangement via which the at least sensor is mounted to the support structure.

[0031] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for analysing ore which includes: a. a support structure; and b. at least one sensor which is mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at a height which allows the at least one sensor to sense / scan downwardly into a tipping bed / tipper bed / tray (hereinafter only referred to as the tipping bed)of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface.

[0032] The support structure may define a throughway through which a truck may travel. The at least one sensor may be positioned above the throughway and directed downwardly in order to sense / scan downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is located in the throughway.

[0033] The support structure may include two spaced-apart supports which extend upwardly from the ground surface and a joining structure which interconnects respective top portions of the supports. The supports may define a throughway therebetween in order to allow a truck to drive there between and pass underneath the joining structure. The at least one sensor may be mounted on the joining structure.

[0034] The support structure may be a gantry. Alternatively, the support structure may be a tower or tower structure.

[0035] One or more shields / screens / skirts may be mounted around, and extend downwardly from, the at least one sensor.

[0036] A plurality of shields / screens / skirts may be mounted around, and extend operatively downwardly from, the at least one sensor along a sensing direction of the at least one sensor. The sensing direction may be operatively downwardly.

[0037] When seen along a scanning direction of the at least one sensor, the shields / screens / skirts may be spaced radially from the at least one sensor. The one or more shields / screens / skirts may be displaceably mounted on the support structure in order to allow the one or more shields / screens / skirts to be displaced / moved relative to the support structure. More specifically, the one or more shields / screens / skirts may be displaceably mounted on the support structure in order to allow the one or more shields / screens / skirts s to be displaced / moved relative to the support structure between an inoperative higher position and an operative lower position. When in the inoperative higher position, the one or more shields / screens / skirts is / are in a higher position than when in the operative lower position. When in the operative lower position, the one or more shields / screens / skirts extend downwardly from the at least one sensor. When in the inoperative higher position, a clearance below the one or more shields / screens / skirts is sufficient to allow a truck to drive in underneath the one or more shields / screens / skirts. The one or more shields / screens / skirts may be displaceably mounted on the support structure via a displacement arrangement. The displacement arrangement may be configured to allow the displacement of the one or more shields / screens / skirts between their inoperative higher position and operative lower position.

[0038] The at least one sensor may be a standoff sensor. The at least one sensor may be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

[0039] The at least one sensor mentioned above may preferably be two or more sensors. The system may therefore include two or more sensors.

[0040] A first sensor of the two or more sensors may be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor. A second sensor of the two or more sensors may also be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

[0041] The two or more sensors may be mounted together or proximate each other. The system may include a sensor housing / casing within which the two or more sensors are mounted. The housing / casing may be mounted on the support structure. The two or more sensors may both be mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel. The two or more sensors may both be positioned at a height which allows the two or more sensors to sense / scan downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface. The two or more sensors may be mounted on the joining structure. More specifically, the sensor housing / casing may be mounted on the joining structure. The two sensors may be different types of sensors.

[0042] The system may include a processing module which is configured to utilise data / information obtained from the at least one sensor in order to determine ore value of the ore which has been scanned / sensed by the at least one sensor.

[0043] A “module”, in the context of the specification, includes an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, or a computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure. A module may be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, modules need not necessarily be consolidated into one device.

[0044] The processing module may be configured to utilise a combination of data / information from the two or more sensors in order to determine the ore value of the ore which has been scanned / sensed by the at least two sensors.

[0045] The processing module may be configured to utilise the determined ore value in order to determine: where the scanned / sensed ore should be transported to; and / or whether excavation operations should be focused at a particular area / location where the scanned / sensed ore was obtained from.

[0046] The system may include a communication module which is configured to communicate a decision as to (i) where the scanned / sensed ore should be transported to, and / or (ii) whether excavation operations should be focused at a particular area / location where the scanned / sensed ore was / is located. The communication module may be configured to communicate the decision to a driver of the particular truck. The decision may be displayed on a display screen located inside a cabin of the truck.

[0047] The processing module may be configured to utilise the determined ore value in order to plan future excavation operations (e.g. where to transport the scanned ore to or whether excavation operations should be focused on an area where the ore was scanned).

[0048] The at least one sensor may be configured to determine an elemental composition of the ore.

[0049] The at least one sensor may be configured to assess a grade of the ore. The at least one sensor may be configured to assess a minerology of the ore. More specifically, the at least one sensor may be configured to assess the grade and / or minerology of the ore.

[0050] As mentioned, the grade may refer to the elemental abundance of a particular metal within the ore. Alternatively, the grade may be mineralogical grade which refers to an abundance / amount of a particular mineral within the ore.

[0051] As mentioned, the system may include two sensors. A first sensor of the two sensors may be configured to assess an elemental grade of the ore. A second sensor of the two sensors may be configured to assess mineralogical abundance of different minerals contained in the ore. The first sensor may by a LIBS sensor. The second sensor may be a LIBS sensor.

[0052] The at least one sensor may be configured to measure lithology in order to categorize a given ore sample (i.e. ore contained on the tipping bed of the truck) in terms of rock type.

[0053] The at least one sensor may be movable / displaceably mounted to the support structure in order to allow the at least one sensor to move / be displaced relative to the support structure. The system may include a displacement arrangement via which the at least one sensor is mounted to the support structure, in order to allow the at least one sensor to move / be displaced relative to the support structure. The displacement arrangement may include at least one track along which the at least sensor can be displaced / moved. The displacement of the at least one sensor may be controlled by a controller which is operatively connected to the displacement arrangement. The controller and / or the at least one sensor may be configured to allow the at least one sensor to sense / scan ore contained in the tipping bed of a truck while the truck is in motion. The controller and / or the at least one sensor may be configured to implement / utilise laser-based tracking or camera-based tracking in order to displace / move the at least one sensor relative to the support structure during scanning / sensing while the truck is in motion. The laser-based tracking or camera-based tracking may therefore be used so that the at least one sensor may track the ore contained in a tipping bed of the truck, while the truck is in motion. The system may therefore include a laser and / or a camera. The controller may be operatively connected to the laser and / or camera in order to implement laser-based tracking and / or camera-based tracking.

[0054] The support structure may be mobile so that it can be moved to another location. The support structure may include wheels which allows the support structure to be moved. The support structure may be supportively mounted on the wheels.

[0055] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of analysing ore, wherein the method includes: sensing ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck in order to determine a grade of the ore, by using at least one sensor which is spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed.

[0056] The method may include any one or more of the features described above in respect of the method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a system for analysing ore which includes: a support structure; and at least one sensor which is mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at a height which allows the at least one sensor to sense downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface, wherein the sensor is configured to determine a grade of the ore.

[0057] The system may include any one or more of the features described above in respect of the system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

[0058] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0060] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a system for analysing ore, in accordance with the invention;

[0061] Figure 2 shows another three-dimensional view of the system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0062] Figure 3 shows a front view of the system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0063] Figure 4 shows an enlarged three-dimensional view of a portion of the system shown in Figure 1 ; and

[0064] Figure 5 shows a schematic layout of the system shown in Figure 1 .

[0065] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] In the drawings reference numeral 10 refers to a system for sensing ore in accordance with the invention.

[0067] The system 10 includes a support structure 12. The support structure 12 is in the form of a gantry. The gantry 12 includes two spaced-apart support legs 24.1 . 24.2 which extend upwardly from a support surface 200. Each support leg 24.1 , 24.2 typically includes a base portion 26.1 , 26.2 and a leg portion

[0068] 28.1 . 28.2 which extends upwardly from the base portion 26.1 , 26.2. A joining portion 30 extends between and interconnects respective top portions of the support legs 24.1 , 24.2 to thereby create an n-shaped frame which defines a through-way 106 through which a truck 100 (e.g. a tipper) can drive. In other words, the joining portion 30 is located high enough in order to allow a truck 100 to drive through underneath it.

[0069] At least one sensor 14 is mounted on the joining portion 30 and is directed to sense operatively downwardly. More specifically, the sensor 14 is mounted centrally on the joining portion 30 (e.g. within a sensor room / casing / housing). By sensing downwardly, the at least one sensor 14 can sense ore 104 contained inside a tipper bed / tipping bed / tray 102 (hereinafter only referred to as the tipping bed 102) of a truck 100, when the truck 100 is located underneath the joining portion 30. The at least one sensor 14 therefore has a downwardly directed sensing direction (e.g. vertically downwardly)

[0070] A shield / screen / skirt arrangement 16 (hereinafter only referred to as the shield arrangement 16) is mounted on the gantry 12 and around the at least one sensor 14 in order to effectively contain the sensing and allow the at least one sensor to only sense downwardly towards ore contained inside a tipping bed 102 of a truck 100, when the truck 100 is located underneath the joining portion 30. The shield arrangement 16 is effectively a safety feature and helps to prevent inadvertent backscatter from being radiated to the surrounding environment where unprotected eyes or aviation equipment could be affected. The at least one sensor 14 may potentially also benefit from other secondary benefits caused by the shield arrangement 16, including reduced variation in background light and isolation from environmental dust.

[0071] The shield arrangement 16 includes a rectangular frame 32 which, when viewed along the sensing direction (e.g. when viewed from above), is fitted / extends around the at least one sensor 14. Four shields / shield formations / screens / screen formations 18.1 -18.4 (hereinafter referred to as the shields 18.1 -18.4) are secured to respective sides of the frame 32 and extend vertically downwardly therefrom. The shields 18.1 -18.4 may be made from a rubber material.

[0072] The shield arrangement 16 may be displaceably / movably mounted to the gantry 12 (e.g. via a displacement arrangement) in order to allow the shield arrangement 16 to be displaced relative to the gantry 12 (and the at least one sensor 14) between an inoperative higher position and an operative lower position. When in the inoperative higher position, the shield arrangement 16 is raised to a higher position than the operative lower position, in order to allow a truck 100 to drive in underneath the gantry 12. Once the truck is in position under the gantry 12, the shield arrangement 16 is lowered towards its operative lower position so that it provides a shield down from the at least one sensor 14 towards the ore 104 contained in the tipper bed 102 of the truck 100, so that sensing can take please.

[0073] A series of stairs 22 are mounted to the support leg 24.2 and a walkway 23 is provided from a top of the stairs 34 to the sensor 14, in order to allow easy access to the sensor 14.

[0074] It should be noted that two (or more) sensors 14 could be used instead of one. Both sensors 14 would then be located next to each other on the joining portion 30. More specifically, the two or more sensors 14 may be located within the same housing / casing which is mounted to the gantry 12.

[0075] The sensors may be standoff sensors. More specifically, a first sensor of the two or more sensors may be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor. A second sensor of the two or more sensors may also be a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

[0076] LIBS systems may be limited in terms of the number of shots per second that can be achieved. Geostatistics of the grains of interest may dictate that a high number of shots is required, while fleet management requirements may limit the amount of time that a truck 100 is available for scanning. Therefore, to increase the number of shots acquired during a scan and thereby improve the statistical validity of the data, it may be desirable to use multiple LIBS sensors / .

[0077] With LIBS sensors, a laser pulse is used to ablate an amount of material on the surface of a sample and breaks it down into plasma consisting of atoms, ions and free electrons. The chemical composition of a material can be characterised by measuring the radiative emission of the plasma with a spectrometer. LIBS sensors therefore enable remote sensing of chemical compositions of a sample (e.g. ore contained in a bucket), whereby the sample and sensor can be relatively far apart (e.g. 5-30m). LIBS sensing can typically be applied to various forms of matter, including liquids and slurries. A LIBS sensor is capable of returning results in a split second and can also be used on moving samples. The operation of LIBS sensors is well known and will therefore not be described in more detail. However, reference is specifically made to the following document (see specifically pages 57-59 which describes the operation of LIBS sensors) which is incorporated herein by reference:

[0078] Dalm, Marinas, Sensor-based sorting opportunities for hydrothermal ore deposits: Raw material beneficiation in mining, TUDelft, Delft University of Technology, 2018 (https: / / repository.tudelft.ni / islandora / object / uuid:70a1 e180-ef0c- 4226-9af3-7e9dc3938c7f?collection=research)

[0079] LIBS employs a whisk-broom approach, meaning that each sensor produces a beam which must be scanned over the surface of interest (e.g. the ore 104 contained on a tipping bed 102 of a truck 100) to produce the desired output. The desired output can then be used (1 ) for fleet management and (2) feedforward control, both of which are explained in more detail further below. The sensor(s) can be used to measure the grade of ore. “Grade” usually refers to the elemental composition in a metals mine, while “Grade” may refer to mineral abundance in a mineral mine. In one embodiment, a LIBS sensor(s) could be used to assess elemental grade. The LIBS sensor (or another LIBS sensor) may also be used to determine mineralogical abundance of different minerals. In a further embodiment, either sensor could be used to measure lithology for the purpose of categorising a given sample in terms of rock type.

[0080] By using sensors 14 with the ability to measure ore properties at a standoff (i.e. at a distance), such as LIBS sensors, it is possible to install the sensors 14, 16 in a zone free from rockfall. Furthermore, by using a UV-based LIBS sensor, it becomes possible to measure not only grade but also mineralogy, which leads to the opportunity to measure ore value, which is a more sophisticated control quantity than grade alone. In this regard, it should be noted that ore value is a function not only of grade, but also of mineralogy and physical characteristics. For example, two rocks may be of the same grade, but one of them may have a higher hardness and will therefore require more energy intensive processing. As a result, the “harder” rock will be lower in value, when compared to the other rock. Therefore, for a given resource, it is possible to determine how grade and mineral composition combine to drive the value of ore which can be found within a given mine.

[0081] It should be noted that the system 10 can be operated without a shield arrangement 16. In this case, a Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD) of the sensor(s) 14 (e.g. a LIBS sensor) should be 50 meters or less, preferably about 25 meters or less. Such an NOHD would generally be considered as “safe” for an operator’s eyes and, as a result, will not need a shield arrangement 16.

[0082] Example

[0083] As will be clear from the explanation above, the system 10 allows trucks 100 containing ore 104 on their tipping beds 102 to drive in underneath the sensor(s) 14 via the passageway 106. A driver of the truck 100 would then stop when the tipping bed 102 is located directly below the sensor(s) 14. The sensor(s) 14 then senses the ore 104 contained inside the tipping bed 102, in order to measure the ore’s grade and minerology. A top of the ore 104 inside the tipping bed 102 is therefore scanned, and the grade of the ore volume is extrapolated statistically. The ore value can then be determined subsequently, by making use of these measurements and calculations.

[0084] For example, the system 10 may include a computing device / system which includes a processing module 40 and a communication module 42. The data / information obtained by the sensor(s) 14 is sent to the communication module 42 via a communication network / link (e.g. via wireless communication (such as Bluetooth) or wired communication). The processing module 40 then utilises the data / information to calculate the ore value. The computing device may be located on the gantry 12 or could be located at a remote location, e.g. a monitoring station. Based on the measured grade, minerology and / or ore value, a decision can be made as to whereto the ore 104 contained on the truck 100 should be transported. For example, lower grade ore could be transported to a waste pile or stockpile, while higher grade ore could be transported to the crusher or leach pad for further processing.

[0085] The indication of the ore value can typically be communicated to a driver of the truck 100 via a user interface 44 inside a cab of the truck 100. The user interface 44 would then indicate to the driver (e.g. on a display screen) what to do with the ore contained on the truck 100, depending on the ore value / grade. For example, the ore should be transported to a particular location for further processing, depending on the ore value.

[0086] It should be noted that when trucks arrive beneath the gantry 12, the system may identify the presence of the tipping bed 102 containing ore 104, and safety hatches beneath the sensors 14 may then open. Once scanning is complete, the safety hatches may close, and the driver is signaled that the truck 100 can safely be driven away. It should be noted that the system 100 of the present invention can be used to deliver fleet management instructions, provide a priori information for conventional belt-based bulk ore sorters, calibrate the mine control ore body model, and anticipate changes in the plant via feed-forward control.

[0087] It should be noted that with bulk sorters, not all BOS (bulk ore sorting) sensing is deterministic. A given BOS sensor might measure one aspect of value (such as clay content) and rely on the input of LIBS data for grade. Alternatively, clay and geographic data obtained during excavation might feed-forward to inform a BOS system which proxy to use if direct grade measurement is not possible. Proxy guidance could be critical in PGM’s (Platinum Group Metals), where grade is measured in PPM (parts per million).

[0088] The present invention can be used in order to plan future excavation operations (e.g. where to transport the scanned ore to or whether excavation operations should be focused on an area where the ore was scanned). The system 10 can utilise the data / information obtained from the at least one sensor 14 in order to execute / perform feed-forward control to a plant. The system 10 can also utilise data related to hardness or fragmentation which is obtained from the at least one sensor 14 in order to control a comminution operation. The system 10 can utilise using data related to minerology which is obtained from the one or more sensors 14 in order to inform / update / formulate reagent recipes in a flotation plant.

[0089] The system 10 can also utilise the data / information obtained from the at least one sensor 14 in order to execute / perform feed-back control to blasting operations. The system 10 can further also utilise data related to hardness of the ore 104 which is obtained from the one or more sensors 14 in order to inform / control blast practices. It should be noted that the at least one sensor 14 may be movable / displaceably mounted to the support gantry 12 in order to allow the at least one sensor 14 to move / be displaced relative to the gantry 12. The system 10 may include a displacement arrangement via which the at least one sensor 14 is mounted to the gantry 12, in order to allow the at least one sensor 14 to move / be displaced relative to the gantry 12. The displacement arrangement may include at least one track along which the at least sensor can be displaced / moved. The track may be arranged parallel with a direction of the through-way 106 (i.e. parallel to a direction of movement of a truck 100 as it passes underneath the gantry 12. The displacement of the at least one sensor 14 may be controlled by a controller which is operatively connected to the displacement arrangement. The controller and / or the at least one sensor 14 may be configured to allow the at least one sensor 14 to sense / scan ore contained in the tipping bed 102 of a truck 100 while the truck 100 is in motion and as it passes underneath the gantry 12. The controller and / or the at least one sensor 14 may be configured to implement / utilise laser-based tracking or camera-based tracking in order to displace / move the at least one sensor 14 relative to the gantry 12 during scanning / sensing while the truck 100 is in motion and as it passes underneath the gantry 12. The laser-based tracking or camera-based tracking may therefore be used so that the at least one sensor 14 may track the ore contained in the tipping bed 102 of the truck 100, while the truck 100 is in motion. The system 10 may therefore include a laser and / or a camera. The controller may be operatively connected to the laser and / or camera in order to implement laser-based tracking and / or camera-based tracking.

[0090] It should be noted that the gantry 12 may be mobile in order to allow it to be moved to different locations (e.g. so that it can be moved from road to road over a period of a few months). More specifically, the gantry 12 may be supportively mounted on wheels in order to allow the gantry to be moved.

[0091] The Inventor believes that the system 10 helps to reduce possible damage to sensors as a result of falling rocks, as well as shocks and vibrations. As a result, the present invention can help improve the longevity of the sensors. Since a single gantry and sensor (or sensors) combination can be used to effectively manage ore from multiple excavators which load the trucks with ore at a particular excavation site, the number of sensors required for a particular site can be reduced (as mentioned previously, sensors have historically been mounted on each excavator bucket at an excavation site).

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of analysing ore, wherein the method includes: sensing ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck by using at least one sensor which is spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a standoff sensor.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing / scanning the ore includes using the at least one sensor to determine a grade of the ore.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of sensing / scanning includes using the at least one sensor to determine the grade and minerology of the ore.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensing / scanning step includes using two sensors which are spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed, whereby the sensing / scanning step includes using a first sensor of the two sensors to assess an elemental grade of the ore and using a second sensor of the two sensors to assess mineralogical abundance of different minerals contained in the ore.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first sensor is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second sensor is LIBS sensor.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed and is directed to sense operatively downwardly towards the ore contained in the tipping bed of the truck, when the sensing is performed by the at least one sensor.

9. The method of claim 8, which includes driving the truck into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed.

10. The method of claim 9, which includes installing the at least one sensor on a support structure which allows a truck to drive into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed.1 1 . The method of claim 9 which includes installing the at least one sensor on a gantry which allows a truck to drive into a position where the at least one sensor is located above the tipping bed.

12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11 , which includes shielding the at least one sensor by positioning one or more shields or one or more blocking formations around the at least one sensor, when viewed along a sensing direction of the at least one sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more shields or one or more blocking formations extend operatively downwardly from the at least one sensor.

14. The method of claim 10 or claim 11 , which includes making a sorting decision and directing the truck towards a particular destination, based on information obtained from the at least one sensor, after it has sensed the ore contained in the tipping bed of the particular truck.

15. The method of claim 10, which includes mounting the support structure on a ground surface, whereby the support structure includes two spaced-apart supports which extend upwardly from the ground surface and a joining structure which interconnects respective top portions of the supports, wherein the supports, when mounted on the ground surface, define a throughway therebetween in order to allow a truck to drive there between and pass underneath the joining structure, and wherein the method includes mounting the at least one sensor on thejoining structure such that it is directed downwardly in order to allow it to scan ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is located in-between the supports and underneath the joining structure.

16. A system for analysing ore which includes: a. a support structure; and b. at least one sensor which is mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at a height which allows the at least one sensor to sense downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to assess a grade of the ore.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to assess the grade and minerology of the ore.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the system includes two sensors, wherein a first sensor of the two sensors is configured to assess an elemental grade of the ore, and a second sensor of the two sensors is configured to assess mineralogical abundance of different minerals contained in the ore.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first sensor is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.21 . The system of claim 20, wherein the second sensor is a LIBS sensor.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the support structure defines a throughway through which a truck may travel, and wherein the at least one sensor is positioned above the throughway and directed downwardly in order to sense downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is located in the throughway.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the support structure includes two spaced-apart supports which extend upwardly from the ground surface and a joining structure which interconnects respective top portions of the supports, wherein the supports define a throughway therebetween in order to allow a truck to drive there between and pass underneath the joining structure, and wherein the at least one sensor is mounted on the joining structure.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the support structure is a gantry.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein one or more shields is / are mounted around, and extends downwardly from, the at least one sensor.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein a plurality of shields are mounted around, and extends operatively downwardly from, the at least one sensor along a sensing direction of the at least one sensor.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein when seen along a scanning direction of the at least one sensor, the shields are spaced radially from the at least one sensor.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more shields / screens are displaceably mounted on the support structure in order to allow the one or more shields / screens to be displaced / moved relative to the support structure between an inoperative higher position and an operative lower position, wherein when in the inoperative higher position, the one or more shields / screens is / are in a higher position than when in the operative lower position.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein when in the operative lower position, the one or more shields / screens extend downwardly from the at least one sensor, and when in the inoperative higher position, a clearance below the one or more shields / screens is sufficient to allow a truck to drive in underneath the one or more shields / screens.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the system includes two or more sensors.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein a first sensor of the two or more sensors is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein a second sensor of the two or more sensors is a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensor.

33. A method of analysing ore, wherein the method includes: sensing ore contained in a tipping bed of a truck in order to determine a grade of the ore, by using at least one sensor which is spaced from the truck and which is positioned at a position which is operatively higher than the tipping bed.

34. A system for analysing ore which includes: a support structure; and at least one sensor which is mounted on the support structure at an elevated position relative to a ground surface on which a truck may travel, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at a height which allows the at least one sensor to sense downwardly into a tipping bed of a truck, when the truck is positioned on the ground surface, wherein the sensor is configured to determine a grade of the ore.

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