Handling measurements of a rock volume

Abstract

A method for handling measurements of a rock volume (RV) is provided. The method comprises obtaining first measurements (1) of a drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV). The first measurements (1) comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data. The method comprises obtaining second measurements (2) of the drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV). The second measurements (2) comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The method comprises identifying a common pattern (11) of the first measurement data and the second measurement data. The method comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements (2) by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements (2) based on the identified common pattern (11).

Description

[0001] HANDLING MEASUREMENTS OF A ROCK VOLUME

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Aspects disclosed herein relate to a method and a control unit for handling measurements of a rock volume. Furthermore, a computer program and a carrier are also provided herein. In particular, examples herein may relate to identifying a common pattern of measurement data of different measurements, and further adapting location information of any of the measurements based on the identified common pattern.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In the field of mining, quarrying and construction work, a typical work sequence for rock blasting is that a hole pattern is planned, that holes are drilled in the rock in accordance with the hole pattern, that explosives are placed in the holes and that the explosives are detonated. The resulting fragmented rocks, e.g. blasting stones, are then transported away. Usually, the fragmented rocks need to be further fragmented by crushing them to get a desired size. Fragmentation equipment may handle fragmented rocks within a set size range. Both in the case when the fragmented rock is to be used directly and in the case when it is to be further fragmented, it is useful that the fragmented rocks are of the right size. This is to make it easier to plan, to improve efficiency, profitability, and to meet the requirements for a product. However, problems may arise such that fragmented rocks does not always have the right size. In addition, if blasting is not performed accurately, a resulting rock formation may require a lot of additional time consuming and expensive excavation and inaccurate blasts may also result in rocks and stones moving to undesirable locations.

[0006] Therefore, to efficiently extract ore from a rock volume, features of a rock volume such as structural and / or geomechanical features may be needed for drilling and blasting to be accurately planned with respect to a rock model of the rock volume. Structural features may have an impact on rock movement while geomechanical features may be a key input into blast planning. The rock model may be based on information collected by exploration drilling and / or other information such as by measuring drill holes which are arranged for blasting. Drilling and blasting may then be based on information from the rock model. For example, data from the rock model may be used as an input to a blast simulation which can be used to plan how to perform blasting to achieve a desirableoutcome. This means that a more accurate rock model may lead to a higher precision blast simulation and blasting. Using information of the rock model or simulation, blast holes can be planned for achieving a preferred result from blasting such as with respect to desired fragmentation and / or for how a blasting affects the surrounding stones and rock formations.

[0007] As a general rule for handling rock volumes, being able to rely on measurements being accurate is always important, as any inaccuracies may lead to inaccurate handling of a rock volume, and a consequence may always relate to increased amount of work is needed, such as expensive and time consuming additional excavation, drilling, or blasting. When measurements are inaccurate, additional time and resources may also be needed for handling rock fragments as they may be of wrong size or may at least partly comprise undesired materials such as if blasting has been performed incorrectly or in an incorrect position.

[0008] Hence, to achieve efficiency when handling rock volumes, there is a strive to handle the rock volume based on high accuracy measurements.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] As part of developing examples herein, issues in collecting and handling measurements of a rock volume, in particular related for handling rock models and have been identified which first will be discussed.

[0011] Building an accurate rock model is difficult as measurements used for building the rock model may be subject to different sources and / or degrees of errors. As a result, the rock model may grow imprecise with increasing differences in errors, thereby affecting precision and efficiency of operations utilizing the model such as drill and blast operations. A consequence is that blasting may become imprecise such that resulting rock fragments of a blast may be fragmented to undesirable sizes thereby increasing time and costs for handling said fragments. Similarly, the environment may not be blasted accurately as planned, thereby increasing time and costs due to need for further excavation.

[0012] When building a rock model, the rock model may be initialized based on knowhow of how a rock volume typically behaves, e.g., by a predefined model. The accuracy and authenticity of the rock model may be improved by adding more measured data. However, when the measured data involves errors, the rock model may become inaccurate.

[0013] Common errors for the data measurements are related to errors of the position of where the respective measurement data is collected. While most measurements will have someinaccuracies in its positional data, such errors may grow as you drill or measure deeper into a drill hole which may result in growing inaccuracies for a rock model. Furthermore, if different measurements are used, they may be subject to different sources or degrees of error with respect to positional data. For example, different measurement procedures may have different increase in errors when measuring down a deep hole. Even when measured at the same position, they may measure corresponding measurement data to be at significantly different positions. Accordingly, a resulting rock model may become inaccurate when using multiple measurements if the positional data is different, which in particular may happen when measuring drilling holes of certain depth.

[0014] As discussed above, an inaccurate rock model will lead to inefficiencies in handling rock volumes. Hence, as identified when developing examples herein, to more efficiently handle rock volumes, there is a need to account for at least some of the above-mentioned issues.

[0015] While measurement accuracy for accurately adapting a rock model is of high importance to handle a rock volume efficiently, accuracy of positional information of the measurements may be relevant for any other use case when handling a rock volume.

[0016] An object herein is to improve efficiency in handling rock volumes.

[0017] According to a first aspect, a method for handling measurements of a rock volume is provided. The method comprises obtaining first measurements of a drill hole of the rock volume. The first measurements comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data. The method comprises obtaining second measurements of the drill hole of the rock volume. The second measurements comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The method comprises identifying a common pattern of the first measurement data and the second measurement data. The method comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements based on the identified common pattern.

[0018] Since the common pattern is identified an implication is that the pattern is measured with respect to the same location information for both the first and second measurements. This means that any or both of the location information of the first and second measurements can be adjusted with respect to the common pattern such that the error in the location information is minimized or at least shared between the first and second measurements. Since the first and second measurements will, as per the adjustment, atleast have the same source of error in the location information, the first and second measurements can more be used together when handling the rock volume and may better describe the rock volume as they will have calibrated location information. A consequence is that the rock volume can be handled more accurately. A more accurate handling of the rock volume further leads to higher efficiency and lower production cost. This is since when the rock volume can be handled more accurately with more information such as the adjusted measurements, drilling or blasting relying on the adapted measurements will demand less or no additional work due to inaccuracies in the drilling or blasting. In the context of mining, even if the accuracy are only slightly improved for a single blasting operation, due to the scale of mining operations, significant improvements in overall operational productivity may be achieved.

[0019] According to some examples, the method may comprise adapting or establishing a model of the rock volume based on the adjusted first and / or second measurements.

[0020] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since when handling a rock model of the rock volume, the accuracy of the rock model may significantly increase when the first and second measurements at least are calibrated to have the same source of error in location information. Further improvements in rock model accuracy may be made if the lowest source of error between the first and second measurements can be used. When the rock model is of high accuracy, any further handling of the rock volume will be performed with high accuracy and efficiency. This is since drilling and blasting the rock volume can be performed with improved accuracy, thereby limiting any additional time-consuming additional excavation when blasting is inaccurate.

[0021] According to some examples, the method may comprise triggering one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform one or more respective drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume based on the first and / or second measurements.

[0022] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the respective drill and / or blast operations can be performed accurately, minimal or no additional correcting operations needed.

[0023] According to some examples, the method may comprise triggering the one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform the one or more respective drill and / or blast operations by using the first and / or second measurements to adapt or establish a model of the rock volume and by utilizing the model of the rock volume to establish a drill plan and / or blast plan by simulating drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume by using the rock model as an input. In these examples, establishing the drill plan and / or blast plancomprises establishing the one or more respective drill and / or blast operation to be performed. In these examples, the method may further comprise issuing the drill plan and / or blast plan to the one or more drill rigs and / or the one or more mining equipment.

[0024] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the drill and / or blast operations can be performed with improved accuracy since the drill and / or blast plans can be accurately simulated in advance. The accuracy of the simulation will be high at least partly due to the reduced error in the first and second measurements.

[0025] According to some examples, identifying the common pattern comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more congruent and / or corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data. In these examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements is performed based on location information of the detected corresponding patterns.

[0026] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the measurements can be accurately calibrated in location information. This can be done accurately if the common pattern show that there is some behavior in the different measurement data, e.g., series of values, which not necessarily is the same but are congruent or have corresponding patterns. This means that they most likely have been measured at the same location.

[0027] According to some examples, the one or more corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data comprise the same or corresponding values accounted for a predefined error margin.

[0028] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since if the corresponding patterns appear in both the first and second measurement data even if there is some differences within the predefined margin of error, they most likely have been measured at the same location. In particular, the longer patterns and / or the more distinct marker points of the patterns, the more certainty there is of that they measure the same location. In particular, sharp geological boundaries that give different sensor response may serve as an accurate common pattern for aligning different data sets. Natural gamma may be run on wireline tools to serve as depth correlation where a need for long patterns is not needed as several distinct marker points are possible to detect and may be effective to use as the common pattern for adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements.According to some examples, identifying the common pattern comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more corresponding changes in measurement data over respective series of measurement data, and adjusting the first and / or second measurements based on location information of the detected corresponding changes in measurement.

[0029] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since patterns that relate to changes in measurement, i.e. , by more than a threshold and similar or same magnitude of change, most likely to map to the same location information. Hence, improved adjustment of the location information can be made.

[0030] According to some examples, detecting the one or more corresponding changes comprises detecting any one or more out of: a change in material composition, a change in hardness of rock material, a change in porosity of rock material, grade, and geotechnical information.

[0031] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since when there is detected a change in material composition as measured using the first measurement data, a similar or same change may be detected in the hardness of the rock material as measured by the second measurement data. Due to detecting these corresponding changes in measurements, these different measurements may be calibrated in location information.

[0032] According to some examples, detecting the one or more corresponding changes in the first measurement data and the second measurement data comprises detecting a plurality of first changes in the first measurement data and a corresponding plurality of second changes in the second measurement data.

[0033] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the common pattern can be identified to be a plurality of corresponding changes in measurement. Since multiple changes are used, the common pattern is more uniquely identified and the following location adjustments will be more accurate.

[0034] According to some examples, the one or more corresponding changes such as the plurality of first changes and the plurality of second changes is above a predefined threshold.

[0035] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since large changes may be detected as part of the common pattern, thereby avoiding any accidental common patterns that may be caused by common measurement errors. Additionally or alternatively, detecting the one or more corresponding changes in the first measurement data and the second measurement data, e.g., the plurality of first changesand / or the plurality of second changes may comprise detecting distinct changes which may detected to be repeating. As an example, it may be possible to detect changes between coked coal from coal by a small but clear change in resistivity.

[0036] According to some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements based on accuracy of the respective location information of the first and second measurements.

[0037] According to some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements comprises obtaining an indication of which of the first or second measurements to act as reference measurements, and adjusting the remaining first or second measurements based on the reference measurements.

[0038] According to some examples, obtaining the indication comprises obtaining information of that the first or second measurements is predefined to act as the reference measurements. Alternatively, obtaining the indication may comprise selecting the first or second measurements to act as the reference measurements based on a respective accuracy of the first and second location information.

[0039] According to any one or more of the three previous examples, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the measurement which are most accurate, or is likely to be most accurate, with respect to location information may be used as a reference for the other measurements.

[0040] According to some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements comprising adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements by applying a weight to the first and / or second location information.

[0041] In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the first and second measurements can at least be set to have the same source of error even when it is uncertain which of the measurements have a most accurate location information. The weight may be equal, or some measurement procedures may be associated with their increased weights applied, e.g., if it can be predetermined that certain measurement procedures are more accurate than others with respect to location information.

[0042] According to some examples, the first and second measurements comprise measurement data measured with different units.

[0043] According to some examples, the first and second measurements comprise measurement data which are measured using different measurement procedures.

[0044] According to some examples, any of the first and second measurements respectively comprises any of the following measurement data:- Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation (PFTNA) measurements,

[0045] - Measuring While Drilling (MWD) measurements.

[0046] - Logging While Drilling (LWD) measurements,

[0047] - X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) measurements,

[0048] - X Ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements,

[0049] - Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements, or

[0050] - a combination thereof.

[0051] In examples herein, PFTNA measurements may comprise any suitable manner for activation of neutrons to measure elemental composition of rock materials.

[0052] MWD or LWD may utilize a mechanical feedback to a drill when drilling a drill hole to sense features of the rock material such as structural and / or geomechanical features, e.g., any of hardness, porosity, density, or a combination thereof.

[0053] According to some examples, any of the first and second measurements respectively comprises measurement data measured by any one or more out of:

[0054] measured as part of a drill operation,

[0055] measured by transporting materials to an analysis unit, and

[0056] measured by a probe lowered into the drill hole.

[0057] According to any one or more of the four previously discussed examples, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since any suitable measurement procedure may be used for any of the measurement data in any flexible manner. The first and second measurements may still be adjusted such that they calibrate their location information when they share the common pattern. Furthermore, different types of measurement procedures can be used to measure different aspects of the rock volume and they may be accurately used even if they have different source of error for certain locations such as when measuring down in deep holes. In particular examples herein, it may be possible to use PFTNA measurements with other measurements such as MWD such that the PFTNA measurements can accurately determine elemental composition and while the PFTNA measurements can be imprecise in location, the location information can be adjusted to with respect to another measurement and their shared pattern, e.g., MWD measurements which may have low source of error for location measurements.

[0058] According to some examples, the location information comprises and / or is derived by any one or more out of: depth information, a position of a drill rig measuring the respective measurement data of the first and / or second measurements and / or is drilling the drill hole, and an angle of the drill hole.In this way, improvements in efficiency of handling a rock volume is achieved. This is since the location information can be more accurate.

[0059] According to a second aspect, a control unit configured to handle a rock volume is provided.

[0060] The control unit is configured to obtain first measurements of a drill hole of the rock volume. The first measurements comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data. The control unit is configured to obtain second measurements of the drill hole of the rock volume. The second measurements comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The control unit is configured to identify a common pattern of the first measurement data and the second measurement data. The control unit is configured to adjust the first and / or second measurements by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements based on the identified common pattern.

[0061] According to some examples, the control unit may be configured to perform the method according to the first aspects, and optionally any one or more of the discussed or applicable examples.

[0062] According to a third aspect, a machine comprising and / or is controlled by the control unit according to the second aspect is provided. The machine may be a drill rig or any suitable mining equipment.

[0063] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program comprises instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor according to the second aspect to perform the method according the first aspect. The processor may be a processor comprised in the control unit according to the second aspect.

[0064] According to a fifth aspect, a carrier comprising the computer program according to the fourth aspect is provided. The carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0065] Where applicable, examples and advantages of the first aspect may also apply to all other aspects, respectively, in a corresponding manner. All examples related to any of the listed aspects above and / or their further descriptions in the detailed description below, may apply to all other aspects in a corresponding manner.

[0066] Further advantages and advantageous features of examples herein are disclosed in the following detailed description and in the attached claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Figs. 1a-b are schematic block diagrams illustrating example measurements in a drill hole.

[0068] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example scenario.

[0069] Fig. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method according to an example.

[0070] Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example scenario.

[0071] Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a control unit according to an example.

[0072] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] As briefly discussed above, examples herein may relate to improving efficiency of handling a rock volume. Examples herein may relate to achieve this by improving calibration of measurement data, in particular relation to location information. Such improvements would further be able to improve accuracy of a rock model of the rock volume such that any simulations, drilling, and blasting can be improved with high accuracy. A result may be that rock fragments of blasting may be blasted to be desired sizes and / or the rock volume may be blasted to be formed accurately according to a plan such that no, or minimal additional excavation is needed subsequent to blasting.

[0074] In particular, examples herein may improve the efficiency of handling a rock volume by identifying a common pattern of first measurement data and second measurement data which may have differences in location information. Due to the common pattern, it can be deduced that these measurements are performed in the same place and hence, the measurements of the rock volume can be adjusted accordingly such that they are calibrated such that measurements taken place at the same locations, also refer to the same location. In other words, examples herein may relate to synchronizing and / or calibrating location information of measurement data with respect to common patterns of the data. As such, the rock volume can be handled more efficiently by more accurate measurements. In particular, more accurate rock models can be established as at the very least, any remaining error in location information is at least the same for all measurements, thereby removing any interference in using measurements with different types of errors. In the best case scenario, measurements with no or lowest degree of error in location information can be used as a reference, meaning that all other measurementsmay have their location information to be calibrated with the measurements of precise location information such as by using MWD measurement as a reference.

[0075] Fig. 1a illustrates a rock volume RV according to an example. The rock volume RV may be any suitable rock volume which composition may include a number of different materials. The rock volume RV may have any suitable features, e.g., any suitable structural and / or geomechanical features.

[0076] To efficiently handle the rock volume RV, measurements may be obtained from a drill hole 10 of the rock volume RV. The drill hole 10 may be a drill hole as drilled for exploration drilling into the rock volume RV, and may have the appropriate depth and characteristics of an exploration drill hole. The drill hole 10 may also be a drill hole drilled for blasting and may have an appropriate depth for blasting operations. However, examples herein does not need to be limited to any specific drill holes. The measurements may comprise first measurements 1 and second measurements 2 of the drill hole 10 of the rock volume RV. The first measurements 1 comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data. The first measurement data may comprise first values representing the measured rock volume RV at a particular location given by corresponding location information. The second measurements 2 comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The second measurement data may comprise second values representing the measured rock volume RV at a particular location given by corresponding location information. The location information may be encoded for the respective measurement data in any suitable manner, e.g., by a coordinate, depth, absolute positioning, relative positioning, inferred by an order of measurements in the respective measurements along with operational details of a corresponding measurement procedure. In examples herein, location information may often at least partly relate to a depth in the drill hole 10, e.g., where different measurement procedures used by the first and / or second measurements 1, 2, may have different error in relation to how deep the measurements are performed in the drill hole 10, in particular when the measurements are performed deeper than a set threshold.

[0077] As illustrated in Fig. 1a, the first measurement data of the first measurements 1 and second measurement data of the second measurements 2, may be measurement data as measured in the drill hole 10, and as such, the first and second measurement data is illustrated along a positional axis axO illustrating position in the drill hole 10. Position with respect to the positional axis axO may represent the positional information of the first and second measurement data of the first and second measurement 1 , 2. Position withrespect to the positional axis axO may be absolute positioning or relative positioning in the drill hole 10.

[0078] The first measurement data of the first measurements 1 may comprises values measured a long a first axis ax1.

[0079] The second measurement data of the second measurements 2 may comprises values measured a long a second axis ax2.

[0080] The first and second measurement data may be different data and may relate to different types of measurements and value axes ax1, ax2, while they relate to measurements of the same locations in the drill hole 10.

[0081] As illustrated in Fig 1a, the first and second measurement data may behave similar even if they measure different aspects. In other words, the first and second measurement data may correspond to each other for the same location. However, since the different measurement data are measured using different measurement procedures, they may record location information differently and may have different error in positional information. Hence, as seen in Fig. 1a, the first and second measurement data may correspond and represent similar changes in measurement following the positional axis axO, but may relate to a difference 12 in positional information between the different measurement data with respect to a common pattern 11 that can be identifies in both the first measurement data and the second measurement data. The difference 12 may be the same with respect to all data of the different measurements, but since errors in different measurement methods may change based on depth, in some examples the difference 12 may be isolated to the common pattern 11. The common pattern 11 may comprise one or more measurement intervals, changes in measurements, congruent or corresponding distinct measurement data patterns, similarities, or any suitable patterns that appear both in the first measurement data and the second measurement data, which would indicate that the first measurement data and the second measurement data is measuring the same location.

[0082] Accordingly, examples herein relate to identifying the common pattern 11 of the first measurement data and the second measurement data, and adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 based on the identified common pattern 11. As illustrated in Fig. 1a, a result of the adjustment may be an adjusted measurements 3 which may align the first measurement data with the location information of the second measurement data, or vice versa, at least with respect to the measurement data of the common pattern 11. While minor location information errors may remain, the adjustment may allow the first andsecond measurements 1, 2 to be adjusted such that they are calibrated to the same location information with respect to the common pattern 11 , which also ensure that all of the first measurement data and the second measurement data is closer aligned with respect to location information.

[0083] Using the adjusted measurements 3 it may be possible to more accurately establish or adapt a rock model of the rock volume RV, e.g., in combination with the non-adjusted first or second measurements, if any. The rock model may model the rock volume RV by any suitable features such as structural features and / or elemental composition and / or geomechanical features. The rock model may further be used to simulate and / or plan various operations on the rock volume RV such as drilling or blasting.

[0084] Fig. 1b is another view of the first measurements 1 and the second measurements 2 measured by the positional axis axO and any or both of the first and second axis ax1, ax2. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the first measurements 1 and the second measurements 2 may comprise similar changes in data when measuring the drill hole 10 such that the common pattern 11 may be identified. In the scenario of Fig. 1b, the location information of the second measurements 2 is adjusted based on the identified common pattern 11. Accordingly, adjusted measurements 3 of the second measurements 2 may thereby align and describe the rock volume RV with respect to same or similar location information as the first measurements 1.

[0085] Fig. 2 illustrated that a machine 100 may be used for measuring the first and / or second measurements 1,2 of examples herein. The machine 100 may be any machine or vehicle used in mining, e.g., a drill rig or a mining equipment. The machine 100 may be capable of measuring or otherwise obtaining the first measurements 1 and / or the second measurements 2. For example, some measurements in examples herein may be measured as part of a drill operation when drilling the drill hole 10. This means that the first measurement may comprise MWD measurements, e.g., indicative of porosity, hardness, or any suitable structural and / or geomechanical features of the rock volume RV. Some measurements in examples herein may be measured by using a probe 30, i.e., by a sensor lowered down the drilling hole 10. The measurements of the probe 30 or other types of measurement procedures may in some examples only partially cover corresponding measurements of the same location measured by other measurements. This is since only certain locations of the drill hole 10 may be measured, or partially data can be lost, etc. In any case, examples herein allow for the common pattern 11 to be identified in measurements corresponding to same locations measured in the drill hole 10, even if only partial measurement data of the drill hole 10 is available.Some measurements in examples herein may be measured by collecting materials from the drill hole 10, e.g., cuttings or cylinders from drilling the drill hole 10, and to perform the measurements analyse the materials in an analysis unit 70. The analysis 70 may preferably be arranged within a predefined distance from the machine 100 such that the analysis by the analysis unit 70 can be performed in a timely manner.

[0086] As illustrated in Fig. 2., the rock volume RV may comprise one or more layers, L1, L2, L3, L4. The one or more Layers L1 , L2, L3, L4 may relate to different types of elemental composition of the rock volume, e.g., which may cause certain types of corresponding characteristics in measurement data such that the common pattern 11 can be identified when measurements is performed over different layers L1, L2, L3, L4.

[0087] As discussed above, when the common pattern 11 is found, e.g., a certain rapid change in data values that can be found in both the first and second measurement data, then the location information of the first and / or second measurements 1 , 2 can be adjusted based on the identified pattern 11.

[0088] Using the adjusted first and / or second measurements as illustrated by the adjusted measurements 3, a rock model 50 may be established or adapted. The rock model 50 may represent the rock volume RV and may be used for accurately simulating and / or planning operations to be performed on the rock volume RV, such as blasting and / or drilling. The rock model 50 may need to be accurate for handling the rock volume RV more efficiently, i.e. , since a more accurate rock model will enable more accurate simulation, planning, drilling and blasting. Hence, the rock model 50 is typically adapted with as much information as possible. Due to examples herein, multiple different measurements can be used accurately together to adapt the rock model 50 since their respective location information can be adjusted so that their location information indicates corresponding measurements for the same location.

[0089] A control unit 60 may be arranged to perform any suitable examples herein. The control unit 60 may be arranged in the machine 100 or in any suitable drill rig or mining machine. The control unit 60 may alternatively be arranged in a location remote from the machine 100, e.g., as part of a server or control station. The control unit 60 may be communicatively connected with any suitable entities of examples herein. The control unit 60 may be able to control the machine 1 and / or any suitable drill rig or mining machine of examples herein. The control unit 60 may be able to control or communicate with the analysis unit 70. In particular, the control unit 60 may be able to obtain the first and second measurements 1 , 2, identify the common pattern 11 , and be able to adjust the firstand / or second measurements 1, 2 by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 based on the identified common pattern 11.

[0090] Fig. 3 illustrates an example method for handling the rock volume RV. The method comprises the following actions in any suitable order. The actions may be performed by the control unit 60 or by any other suitable entity. The method herein may be iterative, i.e., such that one or more of the following actions may be repeated in any suitable order or according to any suitable iterative cycle. While actions below discuss measurements with respect to the drill hole 10, any number of drill holes may apply. Dashed boxes in Fig. 3 may illustrate optional actions.

[0091] Action 301

[0092] The method comprises obtaining first measurements 1 of the rock volume RV. The first measurements 1 comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data.

[0093] The first measurements 1 may be measurements performed in the drill hole 10 and / or measurements of materials collected from the drill hole 10.

[0094] In some examples, the location information of the first measurements 1 comprises and / or is derived by any one or more out of:

[0095] - depth information,

[0096] - a position of a drill rig measuring the respective measurement data of the first measurements 1 and / or is drilling the drill hole 10,

[0097] - an angle of the drill hole 10.

[0098] In other words, the location information may be simply depth information, or when the drill hole 10 is angled, further information such as drill rig position and / or angle of the drill hole 10 may be encoded in the location information.

[0099] In some examples, the first measurements 1 may comprises measurement data measured by any one or more out of:

[0100] - measured as part of a drill operation,

[0101] - measured by transporting materials to an analysis unit,

[0102] - measured by a probe lowered into the drill hole 10.

[0103] In some examples the first measurements 1 comprise any of the following measurement data:

[0104] - PFTNA measurement data,

[0105] - MWD measurement data,

[0106] - LWD measurement data,

[0107] - XRF measurement data,XRD measurement data,

[0108] LIBS measurement data, or

[0109] a combination thereof.

[0110] In some examples the first measurements 1 may additionally or alternatively comprise any suitable measurement data.

[0111] Action 302

[0112] The method comprises obtaining second measurements 2 of the rock volume RV. The second measurements 2 comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The second measurements 2 may be measurements in the drill hole 10 and / or measurements of materials collected from the drill hole 10.

[0113] The second measurements 2 may comprise any measurements as discussed for the first measurements 1, but with at least partly different measurements from the first measurements 1. This allows for multiple different measurements to be gathered for the drill hole 10, which can further be adjusted to have the same location information.

[0114] In some examples herein, the first and second measurements 1, 2 may have different error with respect to respective location information.

[0115] In some examples herein, the first and second measurements 1, 2 may comprises measurement data which measures different features of the rock volume RV, in particular related.

[0116] In particular examples herein, the first measurements 1 may comprise measurement data indicative of features of the rock volume RV such as structural and / or geomechanical features, e.g., MWD measurements data, and the second measurements may comprise measurement data indicative of elemental composition of the rock volume RV, e.g., PFTNA data. While the combination of MWD data and PFTNA data is an effective combination, any suitable combination may apply where generally, more data may increase efficiency.

[0117] Action 303

[0118] The method comprises identifying the common pattern 11 of the first measurement data and the second measurement data.

[0119] The common pattern 11 may be any pattern which is common to both the first and second measurement data. The common pattern 11 may for example be similar values or similar changes in values, similar periodicity in value repetition of data series, similar frequency in certain changes of values, or any pattern where you may see certain data inthe first measurement data which correspond to data of the second measurement data such that they are likely to measure the same location.

[0120] In one example, the first and second measurements may relate to measurements of top of coal, base of mineralisation, changes in rock strength. The common pattern 11 may relate to changes in iron ore findings and / or detecting a natural gamma response to determined a location of a geological sequence. The common pattern 11 may therefor comprise a mix of any suitable patterns and / or may be related to any suitable cutoffs.

[0121] In other words, the common pattern 11 may be any suitable similarity of measurement data between the first and second measurements 1 , 2, that allows the different measurement data to be determined to relate to the same location.

[0122] Typically the first measurement data may measure a first aspect of the rock volume RV, such as any suitable MWD measurement, e.g., that there is a significant change in hardness, density, or porosity of the rock volume RV at a certain location. The second measurement data may be corresponding data measuring that there is significant change in elemental composition of the rock volume RV, e.g., measured by PFTNA measurement, but may be measured with different location information. While the location information may be different, corresponding changes in the first and second measurement data may be able to detect. These corresponding changes in measurement data may be identified as the common pattern 11. The common pattern 11 may further relate to detecting multiple different intervals or series of data in the first and second measurement data which to correspond to each other at least in some manner.

[0123] In some examples herein, identifying the common pattern 11 of the first measurement data and the second measurement data may comprise identifying a difference in location information between the first and second measurements 1, 2, e.g., difference 12 as discussed above.

[0124] In some examples, identifying the common pattern 11 comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more congruent and / or corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data. For example, the one or more corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data may comprise the same or corresponding values accounted for a predefined error margin.

[0125] In some examples, identifying the common pattern 11 comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more corresponding changes in measurement data with respect to one or more different series or intervals ofmeasurement data. In other words, for the one or more different series or intervals, there may be a corresponding significant change in values such as by a first factor of change appearing in both the first and second data measurements and subsequently by one or more second factors appearing in both the first and second data measurements. The presence of the first factor and the one or more second factors may indicate the common pattern 11 even if the measurement data are of different units.

[0126] In examples herein, it may be the case that not every part can or is accurately measured, and / or measurements may be measured by different magnitudes, however, by examples herein, all data may be used to provide valuable information about the rock volume RV.

[0127] In some examples, detecting the one or more corresponding changes comprises detecting any one or more out of: a change in material composition, a change in hardness of rock material, a change in porosity of rock material, grade, and geotechnical information.

[0128] The one or more corresponding changes may be different for the different first and second measurements 1, 2, i.e., the change detected for the first measurements 1 may be a change in hardness, e.g., as measured by the first measurements 1 and the second measurements 2 may be a corresponding measured change in material composition, e.g., as measured by the second measurements 2.

[0129] Detecting the one or more corresponding changes in the first measurement data and the second measurement data may comprise detecting a plurality of first changes in the first measurement data and corresponding plurality of second changes in the second measurement data. In other words, the changes as discussed in examples herein may be changes over a large range of different series or intervals of measurement data of the different measurements, and hence, the common pattern 11 can be accurately identified by identifying multiple different corresponding changes of data in the first and second measurement data. Accuracy as part of examples herein may increase the more changes of both the first and second measurement data that can be detected as part of the plurality of changes.

[0130] Action 304

[0131] The method comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 based on the identified common pattern 11.

[0132] In some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1 , 2 based on accuracy of the respectivelocation information of the first and second measurements 1, 2. For example, the measurements comprising the least accurate location information of the first and second measurements 1 , 2 may be adjusted to calibrate with the location information of the other measurements. However, an average or weighted average of the location information between the different measurements may also be used, e.g., if it is not certain which location information is more accurate.

[0133] According to some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 may comprise obtaining an indication of which of the first or second measurements 2 to act as reference measurements, and further adjusting the remaining first or second measurements 2 based on the reference measurements.

[0134] In some examples, obtaining the indication comprises obtaining information of that the first or second measurements 1, 2 is predefined to act as the reference measurements. Alternatively, in some examples, obtaining the indication comprises selecting the first or second measurements 1, 2 to act as the reference measurements based on a respective accuracy of the first and second location information. Typically, the measurements with the highest accuracy shall be selected to act as the reference.

[0135] However, since the adjustment will ensure that the first and second measurements 1, 2, are calibrated to the same location information, benefits may always be present regardless of which measurements are selected as the reference.

[0136] Adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 may comprise aligning, synchronizing, or calibrating the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 with respect to the identified common pattern 11.

[0137] In some examples, first and / or second measurements 1, 2 may be adjusted by offsetting at least some location information of the first and / or second measurement data by the determined difference 12.

[0138] The adjustment of the first and / or second measurements 1, 2, may be performed such that the location information of the first and second measurements 1, 2, is the same for measurement data of the identified common pattern 11.

[0139] In some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements 2 is based on location information of the detected corresponding patterns, e.g., as detected in action 303.

[0140] In some examples, adjusting the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 is based on location information of the detected corresponding changes in measurement, e.g., as detected in action 303.In some examples herein the first and / or second measurements 1, 2, may, as adjusted by used for planning blasting of the rock volume, RV. In some examples, the drill hole 10 may be arranged for blasting. Using the combination of the first and / or second measurements 1, 2, as adjusted, features of explosives to be arranged in the drill hole 10 may be determined, e.g., amount of explosives, water depth, stand off from coal seams, placing blast bags, position of placing explosives, type(s) of explosives, timing of setting of different explosives, such that a resulting blasting may be accurate. Accurate may mean that resulting fragmentation of rock material may be according to a desired fragmentation size, and / or that the resulting formation of the rock volume RV may be blated to a desired formation. Some examples may relate to using other drill holes than the drill hole 10 for blasting the rock volume RV.

[0141] Action 305

[0142] In some examples, the method comprises adapting or establishing the rock model 50 of the rock volume RV based on the adjusted first and / or second measurements 3.

[0143] The rock model 50 may comprise any suitable features modelling the rock volume RV. For example, the rock model 50 may model the rock volume RV on what composition and / or features such as geomechanical features, and / or structural features are part of different areas of the rock volume RV. The rock model 50 may further model uncertainty / certainty of how likely the rock model 50 is accurate in its model. When adapting the rock model 50, more information may be added, and various aspects of the rock model 50 may therefore become more certain with increasing amounts of measurements.

[0144] Examples herein is not limited to any specific way of modelling the rock volume RV, and any suitable procedures or structure for the rock model 50 may apply. The rock model 50 may however model at least some features of the rock volume RV such as geomechanical features, structural features and / or composition of the rock volume RV. In examples herein the rock model 50 may be adapted with respect to measurements related to the drill hole 10.

[0145] The rock model 50 may improve efficiency in handling the rock volume RV since blasting and drilling can be performed more accurately, e.g., due to accurately being able to simulate drilling and blasting on the rock volume RV. Accurate blasting and drilling may ensure that the operations will be carried out precisely with low risk of having to consume time-consuming additional work such as additional blasting or additional excavation.

[0146] Blasting can also be accurately planned based on the rock model 50 such that rock materials can be fragmented to a desired size which may be more efficient to handle.Action 306

[0147] In some examples, the method comprises triggering one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform one or more respective drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume RV based on the first and / or second measurements 1, 2.

[0148] The one or more respective drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume RV performed based on the first and / or second measurements 1 , 2 may further be performed based on the rock model 50.

[0149] In some examples, triggering the one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform the one or more respective drill and / or blast operations may comprise using the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 to adapt or establish the rock model 50 of the rock volume RV, e.g., as part of action 305.

[0150] Triggering the one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform the one or more respective drill and / or blast operations may further comprise utilizing the rock model 50 of the rock volume RV to establish a drill plan and / or blast plan by simulating drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume RV by using the rock model 50 as an input.

[0151] Establishing the drill plan and / or blast plan may comprise establishing the one or more respective drill and / or blast operation to be performed by the one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment.

[0152] Triggering the one or more drill rigs and / or mining equipment to perform the one or more respective drill and / or blast operations may further comprise issuing the drill plan and / or blast plan to the one or more drill rigs and / or to the one or more mining equipment.

[0153] Fig. 4 illustrates an example scenario of adapting the rock model 50. In this example scenario, the second measurements 2 have been adjusted, e.g., as in action 304, and is illustrated as the adjusted measurements 3 such that the adjusted measurements 3 and the first measurements 1 comprise different measurement data with calibrated location information. In the example scenario, the adjusted measurements 3 is used to adapt the rock model 50. To improve the accuracy of the rock model 50 further, the first measurements 1 may also be used to adapt the rock model 50. In this way, different measurements of rock materials related to the drill hole 10 may be used to adapt the rock model 50. For example, both MWD measurements data and any other suitable measurement data, e.g., PFTNA, XRF, XRD, LIBS, may be used to describe the rock volume RV with calibrated location information.

[0154] Using the adapted rock model 50, e.g., as part of action 306, an operational plan 402 such as a drill plan and / or blast plan may be established by using the rock model 50 as an input. Typically, the operational plan 402 may be established by simulating how therock volume RV would react with respect to various drilling and / or blasting operations such that drilling and / or blasting can be planned to have a desired outcome which leads to more efficient handling of the rock volume RV. The operational plan 402, e.g., a drill and / or blast plan, may be transmitted to one or more drill rigs 403 and / or one or more mining equipment 404, e.g., which may comprise automated machines arranged to perform the received operational plan 402. The one or more drill rigs 403 and / or the one or more mining equipment 404 may comprise the machine 100. The one or more mining equipment may be any suitable equipment used for blasting the rock volume RV, e.g., for drilling blast holes, handling explosives, etc.

[0155] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of the control unit 60. To perform examples herein the control unit 60 may be utilized. According to examples herein, the control unit 60 is configured to handle the rock volume RV. The control unit 60 is configured to obtain the first measurements 1 of the drill hole 10 of the rock volume RV. The first measurements 1 comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data. The control unit 60 is configured to obtain the second measurements 2 of the drill hole 10 of the rock volume RV. The second measurements 2 comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data. The control unit 60 is configured to identify a common pattern 11 of the first measurement data and the second measurement data. The control unit 60 is configured to adjust the first and / or second measurements 2 by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements 2 based on the identified common pattern 11.

[0156] The control unit 60 may be located remote from entities described in examples herein or comprised in part of any suitable entity described in examples herein, e.g., the machine 100.

[0157] The control unit 60 may further be configured to perform the method according to any one or more examples of actions 301-306.

[0158] The control unit 60 may comprise an arrangement depicted in Fig.6. The control unit 60 may comprise an input and output interface 500 e.g. for communicating with network entities, e.g., a server controlling the control unit 60, the machine 100, the one or more drill rigs 403 and / or the one or more mining equipment 404. The control unit 60 may be able to control any suitable aspects of any one or more of the machine 100, the one or more drill rigs 403 and / or the one or more mining equipment 404, such as by obtaining measurements and / or by controlling any suitable aspect of drilling and / or blasting.The input and output interface 500 may comprise a wireless or wired receiver not shown, a transceiver, one or more antennas, and / or a wired or wireless transmitter not shown.

[0159] The examples herein may be implemented through a processor 510 in the control unit 60, depicted in Fig. 5, together with a computer program 530 comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor 510, causes the processor 510 to perform the functions and actions of the examples herein

[0160] In some examples, a respective carrier 540 comprises the respective computer program 530, wherein the carrier 540 is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium. For example, one such carrier may be in the form of a memory stick. The computer program 530 may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the control unit 60.

[0161] The control unit 60 may further comprise a memory 520 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 520 comprises instructions executable by the processor 510 control unit 60. The memory 520 is arranged to be used to store e.g. information, indications, data, configurations, measurements, and applications to perform the examples herein when being executed in the control unit 60.

[0162] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units in the control unit 60 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and / or one or more processors configured with software and / or firmware, e.g. stored in the control unit 60, that when executed by the processor 510. The processor 510 may comprise one or more processors and / or other digital hardware, e.g., an Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), which may be distributed among several separate components or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0163] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

[0164] Measurement implementations and sensor discussion

[0165] As part of examples herein, the first or second measurements 1, 2 may be performed in any suitable manner, preferably some examples comprise PFTNA measurements. Below follows a brief discussion of some measurements and sensors that may be used in any suitable manner in examples herein related to the first and / or second measurements 1, 2.Obtaining or measuring the first and / or second measurements 1, 2 may be performed by any suitable sensor, e.g., any of the sensors or techniques discussed below.

[0166] Any of the discussed measurements and / or sensors may have different errors in their ability to assess where the respective measurement is measured with respect to location information. Hence, examples herein may allow for an accurate combination of multiple different complementing measurements and / or sensor usages, where the respective location information can be adjusted as discussed in examples herein.

[0167] Acronyms Visible(VIS), Near Infrared (NIR), Short Range Infrared (SWIR), MidRange Infrared (MWIR), Long Range Infrared (LWIR), Thermal Infrared (TIR) etc. may describe different parts or ranged of an electromagnetic spectrum which may be measured as part of first or second measurements herein. Definitions may vary but may broadly be defined as:

[0168] • VIS = Visible: 0.4 - 0.7 mm

[0169] • NIR = Near Infrared: 0.7 - 1.4 mm

[0170] • SWIR = Short Range Infrared: 1.4 -3.0 mm

[0171] • MWIR = Mid-Range Infrared: 3- 8 mm

[0172] • LWIR = Long Range Infrared: 8- 15 mm

[0173] • TIR = Thermal Infrared: 10 - 20 mm

[0174] Generally, longer the wavelengths may relate to more exotic and expensive detectors or sensors used for measuring. The more sensitive the system is to temperature, and the more cooling is required. This is why most hyperspectral sensors operate in the VIS / SWIR range, leaving the longer wavelengths to ultra-stable environments such as satellites.

[0175] Red, Green, Blue (RGB) is a color model for most video systems e.g., computer monitors and may use a 24-bit color depth, meaning that each of the pixels of each color may be represented by 8 bits of data. In essence, it is a low-cost, low-resolution, spectrograph.

[0176] Raman & Hyperspectral are complementary sensors or measurement methods. Both may detect light that is reflected by a mineral, revealing frequencies / wavelengths where it is not reflected but is absorbed instead. Hyperspectral detects absolute absorption frequencies. Very low frequencies (long wavelengths) may be difficult to detect. Raman detects frequency shifts relative to the center (laser) frequency. Hence all detection takes place in the (easy) visible region. Hyperspectral generally has good signal and provides broad mineral coverage & identification, and implementation is straight-forward. Raman generally has low signal (so long measurement times) but has the advantage of being very specific (i.e. identifies individual minerals).

[0177] XRF is previously a laboratory method for measurement which may now be used online as part of examples herein. Training via calibration may be required. Whilst ‘Soft’ XRF systems exist for detecting lighter elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P etc.), due to absorption of a signal in air, very short stand-off distances are required. Hence, on-line XRF, measuring from a distance, tends to target heavier elements, such as Potassium (K) and above with reference to the periodic table.

[0178] An overview of sensors or techniques are further presented below. Any sensor or technique below may be used for obtaining the first measurements or the second measurements.

[0179] Spot as discussed below may relate to an area measurement, e.g., a 10mm spot / area measurement.

[0180]

[0181]

[0182] >

[0183]

[0184] Table 2. Mixed sensors

[0185] In particular, for PFTNA, elements may have a neutron cross section value which may indicate how well they interact with neutrons. This means some elements may absorb too many neutrons and some too few. This means that some elements are well-measured by PFTNA and some elements are more difficult to measure.XRD has previously only been considered a laboratory method that is applied to fine powder or dust to determine mineralogy and have been developed to be used to perform measurements herein, e.g., by the analysis unit 70 onboard the mining machine 1. A mineral’s crystal structure acts like a grating to diffract the incident x-rays into specific angles, enabling the molecule’s structure to be deduced.

[0186] XRD + XRF may be used together on to determine mineralogy + geochemistry, previously this has been performed in planetary missions. In those cases, a robotic system was used alongside the sensors to drill holes (as necessary) and prepare the powdered samples.

[0187] No cases are known of on-line XRD being used in the minerals industry outside laboratory settings as part of examples herein.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. A method for handling measurements of a rock volume (RV), the method comprises:obtaining (301) first measurements (1) of a drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV), wherein the first measurements (1) comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data,obtaining (302) second measurements (2) of the drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV), wherein the second measurements (2) comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data,identifying (303) a common pattern (11) of the first measurement data and the second measurement data, andadjusting (304) the first and / or second measurements (1 , 2) by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements (1 , 2) based on the identified common pattern (11).

2. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:adapting (305) or establishing a rock model (50) of the rock volume (RV) based on the adjusted first and / or second measurements (1, 2).

3. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising:triggering (306) one or more drill rigs (403) and / or mining equipment (404) to perform one or more respective drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume (RV) based on the first and / or second measurements (1, 2).

4. The method of claim 3 wherein triggering (306) the one or more drill rigs (403) and / or mining equipment (404) to perform the one or more respective drill and / or blast operations comprises:using the first and / or second measurements (1 , 2) to adapt or establish a rock model (50) of the rock volume (RV),utilizing the rock model (50) of the rock volume (RV) to establish a drill plan and / or blast plan by simulating drill and / or blast operations in the rock volume (RV) by using the rock model (50) as an input, wherein establishing the drillplan and / or blast plan comprises establishing the one or more respective drill and / or blast operation to be performed, andissuing the drill plan and / or blast plan to the one or more drill rigs (403) and / or to the one or more mining equipment (404).

5. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein identifying (303) the common pattern (11) comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more congruent and / or corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data, and adjusting the first and / or second measurements (2) based on location information of the detected corresponding patterns.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the one or more corresponding patterns in measurement data appearing in both the first measurement data the second measurement data comprise the same or corresponding values accounted for a predefined error margin.

7. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein identifying (303) the common pattern (11) comprises detecting for the first measurement data and the second measurement data, one or more corresponding changes in measurement data over respective series of measurement data, and adjusting the first and / or second measurements (1, 2) based on location information of the detected corresponding changes in measurement.

8. The method of any of claim 7 wherein detecting the one or more corresponding changes comprises detecting any one or more out of: a change in material composition, a change in hardness of rock material, a change in porosity of rock material, grade, and geotechnical information.

9. The method of any of claim 7 or 8 wherein detecting the one or more corresponding changes in the first measurement data and the second measurement data comprises detecting a plurality of first changes in the first measurement data and a corresponding plurality of second changes in the second measurement data.

10. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein adjusting (304) the first and / or second measurements (1, 2) comprises adjusting the first and / or second measurements (1, 2) based on accuracy of the respective location information of the first and second measurements (1, 2).

11. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein adjusting (304) the first and / or second measurements (1, 2) comprises:obtaining an indication of which of the first or second measurements (2) to act as reference measurements, andadjusting the remaining first or second measurements (2) based on the reference measurements.

12. The method of claim 12, obtaining the indication comprises obtaining information of that the first or second measurements (1 , 2) is predefined to act as the reference measurements, or wherein obtaining the indication comprises selecting the first or second measurements (1, 2) to act as the reference measurements based on a respective accuracy of the first and second location information.

13. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein any of the first and second measurements (1, 2) respectively comprises any of the following measurement data:Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation, PFTNA, measurement data, Measuring While Drilling, MWD, and / or Logging While Drilling, LWD, measurement data,- X Ray Fluorescence, XRF, measurements,- X Ray Diffraction, XRD, measurements,Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, LIBS, measurement data, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein any of the first and second measurements (1, 2) respectively comprises measurement data measured by any one or more out of:measured as part of a drill operation,measured by transporting materials to an analysis unit,measured by a probe lowered into the drill hole (10).

15. The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the location information comprises and / or is derived by any one or more out of: depth information, a position of a drill rig (1, 403) measuring the respective measurement data of the first and / or second measurements (1, 2) and / or is drilling the drill hole (10), and an angle of the drill hole (10).

16. A control unit (60) configured to handle a rock volume (RV), the control unit (60) being configured to:obtain first measurements (1) of a drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV), wherein the first measurements (1) comprise first measurement data and first location information for the first measurement data,obtain second measurements (2) of the drill hole (10) of the rock volume (RV), wherein the second measurements (2) comprise second measurement data and second location information for the second measurement data, identify a common pattern (11) of the first measurement data and the second measurement data, andadjust the first and / or second measurements (2) by adjusting the location information of the first and / or second measurements (2) based on the identified common pattern (11).

17. A control unit (60) according to claim 16 configured to perform the method according to any of claims 2-15.

18. A machine (1, 403, 404) comprising and / or is controlled by the control unit (60) of claim 16 or 17.

19. A computer program (530) comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor (510), causes the processor (510) to perform the method according to any of the claims 1-15.

20. A carrier (540) comprising the computer program (530) of claim 19, wherein the carrier (540) is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

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