Method for determination of an ore body and a mining machine arranged therefore

Abstract

A method, mining machine (20) and control system (100) for determination of an ore body (35). The method comprises drilling (200) a drill hole (31a, 31b); obtaining (202) a first set of data (DI) relating to physical properties of the rock (30), and collected from a response of a drill (21) during drilling; obtaining (203) first position information (Pl) on where the drill (21) was positioned when collecting first set of data (DI); collecting (212) a second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30); collecting (216) second position information (P2) on position in the rock (30) of each of the parts of the rock (30) from which the second set of data (D2) was collected; determining (220) the ore body (35) of the rock based on first and second sets of data (DI, D2) together with first and second position information (Pl, P2).

Description

METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF AN ORE BODY AND A MINING MACHINE ARRANGED THEREFORETechnical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a method for determination of an ore body in connection with drilling in a rock with a mining machine. The present disclosure further relates to a mining machine and a control unit arranged for performing the method.Background

[0002] In order to extract ore from a rock volume, it is important to know the composition and structure of the rock volume. To extract an ore, several steps must be performed. Drilling holes into the rock volume for insertion of explosives, blasting the explosives to fragment the rock, transportation of the material, and additional fragmentation of the blast stones. It is known to collect material data while drilling (MWD), such as geomechanical (or just mechanical) properties, like hardness, but also the density of the rock composition and the position of the drill. It is also known to probe an already drilled hole with a sensor probe, to collect material data, this will however need additional steps to be performed, where a sensitive sensor is lowered down into the drilled hole, by a wireline and further steps to collect the data. There is also a risk of losing the sensor probe in the drill hole since it might get stuck or damaged during the probing. Further, analysis performed on samples taken from the drill cuttings is known, but this takes time since the samples are sent away to another site for analysis, for example at an external material laboratory or the like. It is crucial to collect different data of the ore from test drilling or the drilling of previous holes in the rock, to better understand how the ore is positioned, how big it is, cracks, fractures, faults and other local variations etc., and upon this information plan upcoming drill operations, blasting etc. of the rock, to be able to excavate the wanted ore in the best possible way. If this is done properly, a lot of time and money can be saved and an improved safety is also disclosed, since a better prediction of the “behavior” of the drilling, blasting etc. gains improved safety in the mine.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for an improved simulation / determination of an ore body to be used for improved drill planning and excavation of an ore, which leads to better estimation of rock properties of a rock volume which is to be drilled and excavated by a mining machine.Summary

[0004] It is an object of the disclosure to address at least some of the problems and issues outlined above. An object of aspects of the present disclosure is to provide a method for determination of an ore body while drilling in a rock with a mining machine, which may be a machine for exploration drilling, underground mining or surface mining. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mining machine which comprises a drill rig with a drill, a return channel for transporting drill cuttings out of the drill hole to the mining machine and a nondestructive analysis device arranged in connection to the return channel and arranged to analyze rock properties of the drill cuttings when passing the nondestructive analysis device. Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a control system configured to operate in connection with a mine and configured for wireless communication with a mining machine, whereby the control system is operative for performing the method according to the disclosure.

[0005] According to an aspect, a method for determination of an ore body of a rock, is disclosed. The method comprises drilling a drill hole in the rock using a drill; obtaining, by a control unit, a first set of data relating to physical properties of the rock, which first set of data is collected from a response of a drill during drilling of a first drill hole in the rock with a mining machine; obtaining, by the control unit, first position information on where the drill was positioned in the rock when collecting each of the first set of data; collecting, by the control unit, a second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock; collecting, by the control unit, second position information on position in the rock of each of the parts of the rock from which the second set of data was collected and determining, by the control unit, the ore body of the rock based on the first set of data together with the first position information and the second set of data together with the second position information.

[0006] In order to extract an ore body from a rock volume, it is important to know the composition of the rock and by the inventive method, improved determination of the ore body is achieved. The improved “rock simulation” / determination of the ore will provide numerous benefits, such as an increased precision on where to stop the extraction of material, but also on where different materials are located more precise, how to drill a subsequent drill hole and how to blast the volume. The planning of how to extract the ore body may be fine-tuned and updated instantly or near instantly while drilling, by using the physical properties of the rock, i.e. the material data collected while drilling (so-called MWD as describe above), such as mechanical properties, density of and the position of the drill, together with data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (i.e. the actual material composition), measured / analyzed by a device arranged therefore, and positioning information, a better and more correct ore body composition may be determined. This is used for drill planning for the extraction of the ore and for updating drill plan / plans or planning a subsequent dill hole, which is subsequent to earlier drilled hole / holes. A far better and more precise way of performing and planning drill operations to extract an ore by the mining machine is achieved.

[0007] According to a disclosure, the collecting the at least second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock, comprises a non-destructive analysis. The non-destructive analysis means that a number of different such methods may be used, methods which does not affect the rock material in a destructive way, as for example by using different kinds of X-ray equipment. In most prior art solutions, drill cuttings are transported away from the production site (for example the mine) to a laboratory or the like, where the drill cuttings / chips are further crushed and analyzed according to their particle setup / combination. By using a non-destructive analysis, the arrangement performing the analyze may be arranged directly in the “flow”, for example in the flow of passing drill cuttings, and a lot of time is saved, and a direct result is at hand. The data may be used more or less instantly, instead as in prior art solutions, after being analyzed in a distant laboratory.

[0008] According to a disclosure, the collecting the at least second set of data by the non-destructive analysis, comprises PFTNA analysis. PFTNA (Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Activation) is a method which now preferably is disclosed in connection with an in-flow and instant analysis of rock material from the drilling operation. A PFTNA analyzer (device) is used to collect data on the elemental composition of the material. PFTNA technology rely on activation of material by neutrons, and the instantaneous emission of gamma rays from nuclei which have absorbed neutrons. Capitalizing on the unique gamma ray spectrum associated with each element, the instrument can perform an analysis on the composite spectrum to determine the overall elemental composition of the material. PFTNA is typically an elemental analysis, which may be expanded to minerology and geomechanical properties. The data relating to the composition can then be associated with positioning data from the drill machine in order to know which position in the rock that has a certain composition. By that, it is possible to instant and better analyze the rock volume and further to simulate the composition of the rock volume, while drilling, wherein a better and more precise extraction of the ore body is achieved. As mentioned, the PFTNA device provides a pulsed flow of neutrons which interacts with the nuclei of the atoms in the rock material. In response to this, the atoms emit gamma rays at characteristic energy levels, wherein the gamma rays are measured with detectors, to collect the spectrum of emitted gamma rays. The spectra are interpreted, and the elemental concentrations of different material are determined. Advantages like quick determination of material composition with high accuracy of the data and a direct result, is achieved together with time and cost savings, especially if the preferred in-flow arrangement is use. This is incorporated into the simulation models of the rock composition, for better planning, quicker update of drill plan etc.

[0009] According to a disclosure, the method further comprises, during the drilling, transporting drill cuttings out of the drill hole to a mining machine. In this way, the drill cuttings may be analyzed for determining elemental composition of parts of the rock. The drill cuttings is transported to the mining machine and is measured / analyzed, to collect data on the elemental composition of the material. This data is used for simulating the rock volume / the ore body, and the analyze ispreferably done with an arrangement arranged in line with the flow of drill cuttings (stone chips / material). Thus, the method provides real time data or almost real time data, which may be used while drilling the holes, in for example the same drill plan. The data relating to the composition can then be associated with positioning data from the drill machine in order to know which position in the rock that has a certain composition, wherein a far better and more precise way of performing and planning drill operation by the mining machine is achieved. For example, if a nondestructive analysis device is used, the dill cuttings may pass the non-destructive analysis (as for example the PFTNA analyzer), which is used to collect data on the elemental composition of the material. Advantages are quick determination of material composition with high accuracy of the data which lowers time and cost, especially if the non-destructive analysis device is arranged in the drill cuttings “flow”. This gives a direct result, which is incorporated into the simulation models of the rock composition.

[0010] According to a disclosure, the method further comprises, after transporting drill cuttings out of the drill hole to the mining machine and before the collecting the second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock, treating the drill cuttings according to a specification defined by a nondestructive analysis device arranged to analyze the elemental composition of parts of the rock. The treating may be additional steps like crushing, sorting etc. of the drill cuttings before the sample / samples is / are taken for further transportation and / or analyzation.

[0011] According to a disclosure, the collecting at least the second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock, comprises transmitting radiation towards the drill cuttings transported to the mining machine, and detecting radiation emitted from the drill cuttings as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the drill cuttings transported to the mining machine.Transmitting radiation is a non-destructive analysis method for analyzing the drill cuttings and for example X-ray transmission (XRT) or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) may be used.

[0012] According to a disclosure, the method further comprises, before the step of collecting the second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock, taking, by a splitter, at least one sample from the drill cuttings transported to the mining machine. The splitter may be arranged at the mining machine and is arranged for taking at least one sample from the drill cuttings transported to the machine and the drill cuttings transported to the machine may be split into different samples. The non-destructive analysis device may be arranged in connection to the mining machine (the drill rig) and may analyze rock properties of the drill cuttings when the drill cuttings pass the non-destructive analysis device.

[0013] According to a disclosure, the transmitting radiation comprises transmitting radiation towards the at least one sample taken by the splitter and detecting radiation emitted from the at least one sample as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample.

[0014] According to a disclosure, the collecting at least the second set of data relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock, comprises transmitting radiation towards a rock surface of the first drill hole, by a probe inserted in the first drill hole, and detecting radiation emitted from the parts of the rock as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the rock surface of the rock. This is alternative method which may be used alone or in combination with transmitting radiation towards the drill cuttings or the at least on sample with drill cuttings.

[0015] According to a disclosure, after the step of determining, the method further comprising updating an existing drill plan, based on the determination of the ore body of the rock, determined from data from the drilling of at least one first drill hole. If an existing drill plan exists, this may be updated continuously while receiving data which further is used to evaluate and determine the ore body composition, which enables a more effective and precise “picture” of the ore body and how to drill subsequent drill holes.

[0016] According to a disclosure, after the step of determining, the method further comprises planning the drilling of at least one second drill hole to be drilled, which is subsequent to the first drill hole, based on the determination of the orebody of the rock, determined from data from the drilling of at least one first drill hole.

[0017] According to a disclosure, the planning the drilling of the at least one second drill hole to be drilled, is performed continuously during drilling of at least one first drill hole.

[0018] According to a disclosure, the planning of the drilling of a subsequent drill hole to be drilled, is updated continuously during drilling of at least one preceding drill hole.

[0019] According to a disclosure, the obtaining the first set of data relating to physical properties of the rock comprises determining a density of the rock. This is preferably performed by MWD technique for determining the density of the rock.

[0020] According to a disclosure, the obtaining the first set of data relating to physical properties of the rock comprises determining mechanical properties (for example hardness) of the rock. This is preferably performed by MWD technique.

[0021] According to an aspect, a mining machine is disclosed. The mining machine comprises a drill rig which comprises a drill, for drilling a drill hole in a rock; a return channel for transporting drill cuttings out of the drill hole to the mining machine; and a non-destructive analysis device, arranged in connection to the return channel and arranged to analyze rock properties of the drill cuttings when the drill cuttings pass the non-destructive analysis device. By such a mining machine, the inventive method described above may be performed with all advantages described above.

[0022] According to a disclosure, the mining machine further comprises a splitter, arranged at the mining machine and arranged for taking at least one sample from the drill cuttings transported to the machine by the return channel. The splitter may be arranged directly on the mining machine or at least in close vicinity of the machine, at the return channel, wherein the drill cuttings transported to the machine is split into different samples at the mining machine.

[0023] According to a disclosure of the mining machine, the non-destructive analysis device is arranged to transmit radiation towards the at least one sample and further arranged to detect radiation emitted from the at least one sample as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample. Advantages are described above in relation to the method.

[0024] According to a disclosure, the non-destructive analysis device is a PFTNA-analyzer. If a splitter is disclosed, the PFTNA-analyzer may be arranged as a part of the splitter or be positioned after the splitter, as a separate part.

[0025] According to a disclosure, the mining machine further comprises a treating device, arranged upstream the non-destructive analysis device and arranged to treat the drill cuttings according to a specification defined by the nondestructive analysis device.

[0026] According to an aspect, a control system configured to operate in connection with a mine and configured for wireless communication with a mining machine, is disclosed. The control system comprises a processing circuitry and a memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry, whereby the control system is operative for performing the method described above.

[0027] Further possible features and benefits of this solution will become apparent from the detailed description below.Brief description of drawings

[0028] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows an example of a mining machine according to the invention.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a flow chart showing a method for determination of an ore body, according to the invention.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the method of Fig. 2 with further disclosures compared to Fig. 2.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a schematic figure of a control unit operative for performing the method according to the invention.Detailed description

[0033] In the following, a method, a mining machine and a control unit, according to the invention, is exemplified. The method and mining machine disclosed herein may be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the examples set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows an example of a mining machine 20, which comprises a drill rig 22 arranged with a drill 21 for drilling drill holes 31 a, 31 b in a rock 30. At an outer end of the drill 31 , a drill bit 21a is arranged. When drilling holes 31a, 31b, drill cuttings 32 from the drilling operation is evacuated by the return flow and is captured and transported via a return channel 23. The return channel 23 (and evacuation device) is / are arranged fortransporting the drill cuttings 32 out of the drill hole 31 a, 31 b to the mining machine 20, and further to a so called splitter 24. The splitter 24 is in the preferred embodiment arranged at the mining machine 20 and the splitter 24 is arranged for taking at least one sample A, B from the drill cuttings 32 transported to the machine 20, by the return channel 23. The sample / samples A, B, according to prior art solutions, is / are removed from the construction site / the mine to an external laboratory or the like, where the samples are analyzed to determine the rock properties of the drill cuttings 32. Based on this, the ore body is theoretically determined, and a drill plan is estimated, based on the rock properties. This is a rather slow method and a method which also may not be particularly cost-effective, since the drill plan is not precise, why decisions like when to stop the extraction of material or where different materials are located gets may be incorrect. Further, information on how to drill a subsequent drill hole and how to blast the volume and the total planning of the drilling, is to rough, which may be cost driving. Further, prior art solutions provide to slow updating of existingdrill plan for a mining site. The invention has now solved the problems of determination of an ore body in a more quick and precise way, by that the mining machine 20 comprises a non-destructive analysis device 25, which in the preferred embodiment is arranged in connection to the return channel 23, i.e. arranged somewhere in the flow of drill cuttings 32, wherein the non-destructive analysis device 25 is arranged to analyze rock properties of the drill cuttings 32 when passing the non-destructive analysis device 25. The non-destructive analysis device 25 is according to the preferred embodiment a PFTNA-analyzer 25, which is arranged to analyze the rock properties of the drill cuttings 32 when passing the PFTNA-analyzer 25. The PFTNA-analyzer 25 is arranged to transmit radiation towards the at least one sample A, B and is further arranged to detect radiation emitted from the drill cuttings 32 of the at least one sample A, B, as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample A, B / the drill cuttings 32. The non-destructive analysis device 25 / the PFTNA-analyzer 25 may be arranged anywhere in the material flow of the drill cuttings 32, and in the preferred embodiment, the PFTNA-analyzer 25 is arranged on the mining machine 20. The PFTNA-analyzer 25 may be arranged as a part of the splitter 24, as shown in Fig.1 or be positioned after the splitter 24. Upstream the non-destructive analysis device 25 / the PFTNA-analyzer 25, a treating device 26 may be arranged. The treating device 26 is a device arranged to treat the drill cuttings 32, according to specifications of the non-destructive analysis device 25 / the PFTNA-analyzer 25 and is used if the analyzer has certain demands on for example fraction or the like. The treating device 26 may be arranged as a part of the splitter 24, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a flow chart showing a method for determination of an ore body, in connection with drilling in a rock 30. The drilling is performed by the mining machine 20, described above. The method comprises drilling 200, a drill hole 31 a, 31b in the rock 30, using the drill 21 ; obtaining 202, by a control unit 100 (see Fig. 4), a first set of data D1 relating to physical properties of the rock 30 (MWD-data), which first set of data D1 is collected from a response of a drill 21 during drilling of a first drill hole 31 a in the rock 30 with a mining machine 20; obtaining 203, by a control unit 100, first position information P1 on where the drill21 was positioned in the rock 30 when collecting each of the first set of data D1 ; collecting 212, by a control unit 100, a second set of data D2 relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30; collecting 216, by a control unit 100, second position information P2 on position in the rock 30 of each of the parts of the rock 30 from which the second set of data D2 was collected; determining 220, by a control unit 100, the ore body 35 of the rock 30 based on the first set of data D1 together with the first position information P1 and the second set of data D2 together with the second position information P2.

[0036] By this inventive method, improved determination of an ore body is achieved. It is important to know the composition of the rock 30 for drill planning and how to, in the best way extract the particular ore body 35 of the rock 30. The improved determination of the ore is described above and the planning of how to extract the ore body 35 may be fine-tuned and updated instantly while drilling, by using first set of data D1 which relates to the physical properties of the rock, i.e. the material data collected while drilling (so-called MWD as describe above). The physical properties of the rock may be mechanical properties, density of the material etc. The first position information P1 is the position of the mining machine 20 and / or the drill 21 , while drilling the first drill hole 31a. The second set of data D2 relates to elemental composition of parts of the rock (i.e. the actual material composition), which preferably is measured / analyzed by a device arranged therefore, more precise the non-destructive analysis device 25 / the PFTNA-analyzer 25. Preferably, it is the drill cuttings 32, which are analyzed. The second position data P2 preferably is the position of the drill bit 21a (or the drill 21) in the ore body 35, and by analyzing drill cuttings 32 or the rock face 33 in that position, a better and more correct ore body composition may be determined. This is used for drill planning for the extraction of the ore and also for updating drill plan / plans or planning at least one second dill hole 31 b, which is subsequent to earlier drilled hole / holes 31a. A far better and more precise way of performing and planning drill operations to extract an ore by the mining machine is achieved.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the method of Fig. 2 with further disclosures compared to Fig. 2. According to this embodiment, the method further comprises,that the collecting 212 at least the second set of data D2 relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30, comprises non-destructive analysis, and preferably that the non-destructive analysis comprises PFTNA analysis. The method preferably further comprises that during the drilling 200, transporting 201 drill cuttings 32 out of the drill hole 31a, 31 b to the mining machine 20. In this way, a more convenient and less time-consuming analyze of the rock material can be performed by arranging the non-destructive analysis device 25 / the PFTNA-analyzer 25 “in the flow” of the drill cuttings 32, wherein the collecting 212 at least the second set of data D2 relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30, comprises to analyze the drill cuttings 32 by the non-destructive analysis, preferably by PFTNA analysis.

[0038] The method may also comprise, after transporting 201 drill cuttings 32 out of the drill hole 31a, 31 b to the mining machine 20, and before the collecting 212 the second set of data D2 relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30, treating 211 the drill cuttings 32 according to a specification defined by a non-destructive analysis device 25 arranged to analyze the elemental composition of parts of the rock 30.

[0039] The method may also comprise that the collecting 212 of the second set of data D2, relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30, comprises transmitting 213 radiation towards the drill cuttings 32 transported to the mining machine 20, and detecting 214 radiation emitted from the drill cuttings 32 as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the drill cuttings 32 transported to the mining machine 20.

[0040] The method may also comprise, before the step of collecting 212 the second set of data D2 relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock 30, taking 210 by the splitter 24 at least one sample A, B from the drill cuttings 32 transported to the machine 20.

[0041] The step of transmitting 213 radiation may also comprise to transmit radiation towards the at least one sample A, B or towards the rock surface 33 of the first drill hole 31a, (preferably by a probe 22 inserted in the first drill hole 31a),and the detecting 214 radiation emitted, may comprise detecting 214 radiation from the at least one sample A, B or the rock surface 33 of the first drill hole 31a, as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample A, B / the rock surface 33. This is done with the non-destructive analysis device 25, preferably the PFTNA-analyzer 25, which thus is arranged for transmitting 213 radiation towards the at least one sample A, B / the rock surface 33, and detecting 214 radiation emitted from the same.

[0042] The method may further comprise, after the step of determining 220, updating 221 an existing (previously planned) drill plan and / or planning 22 the drilling 200 of a subsequent second drill hole 31 b to be drilled, based on determination of the ore body 35 of the rock 30, simulated from the data from the drilling of at least one first drill hole 31a. Further, the method may comprise that the planning 222 of the drilling 200 of a subsequent second drill hole 31 b, is updated continuously during drilling of at least one preceding first drill hole 31a.

[0043] The obtaining 202 the first set of data D1 relating to physical properties of the rock 30, may according to a preferred embodiment comprise determining a density of the rock 30 and / or the mechanical properties of the rock 30.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a schematic figure of a control unit 100 of the machine 20 for mining or construction, for determination of an ore body 35, in connection with drilling in a rock 30, according to the invention. The control unit 100 of the machine 20 comprises a processing circuitry 101 and a memory 102. The memory 102 contains instructions executable by the processing circuitry 101 , whereby the control unit 100 is operative for performing any of the embodiments of the method, which is described above. The control unit 100 may be arranged at the mining machine 20 or remote from the mining machine 20 and the operations (obtaining, collecting, determining etc.) may be performed in the control unit 100 arranged at the mining machine 20, or at the control unit 100 arranged remote from the mining machine 20, or partly at the mining machine 20 and a remote control unit 100, if applicable. A superior control system may also be included, which may be arranged to communicate and operate several control units and mining machines.

[0045] According to other embodiments, the control unit 100 may further comprise a communication unit 104. The communication unit 104 may be considered to comprise conventional means for communication with the mining or construction machine 20, such as a wireless transmitter and receiver, for e.g., performing the method described above, for performing a simulation of the rock and its properties. The communication unit, or another communication unit (not shown) may be used for communication with any other supervising system, for example an online system, a cloud or the like. The instructions executable by the processing circuitry 101 may be arranged as a computer program 103 stored in said memory 102.

[0046] Although the description above contains a plurality of specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the concept described herein but as merely providing illustrations of some exemplifying embodiments of the described concept. It will be appreciated that the scope of the presently described concept fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the presently described concept is accordingly not to be limited. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the abovedescribed embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed hereby. Moreover, it is not necessary for an apparatus or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the presently described concept, for it to be encompassed hereby. In the figures, a broken line generally signifies that the feature within the broken line is optional.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for determination of an ore body (35) of a rock (30), the method comprising:drilling (200) a drill hole (31a, 31b) in the rock (30) using a drill (21), obtaining (202), by a control unit (100), a first set of data (D1 ) relating to physical properties of the rock (30), which first set of data (D1 ) is collected from a response of a drill (21) during drilling of a first drill hole (31a) in the rock (30) with a mining machine (20),obtaining (203), by the control unit (100), first position information (P1) on where the drill (21) was positioned in the rock (30) when collecting each of the first set of data (D1),collecting (212), by the control unit (100), a second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30),collecting (216), by the control unit (100), second position information (P2) on position in the rock (30) of each of the parts of the rock (30) from which the second set of data (D2) was collected,determining (220), by the control unit (100), the ore body (35) of the rock (30) based on the first set of data (D1) together with the first position information (P1) and the second set of data (D2) together with the second position information (P2).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the collecting (212) at least the second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30), comprises non-destructive analysis.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the collecting (212) at least the second set of data (D2) by the non-destructive analysis comprises PFTNA analysis.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprising, during the drilling (200), transporting (201) drill cuttings (32) outof the drill hole (31a, 31b) to a mining machine (20).

5. Method according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein, after transporting (201) drill cuttings (32) out of the drill hole (31a, 31b) to the mining machine (20) and before the collecting (212) the second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30), the method further comprising treating (211) the drill cuttings (32) according to a specification defined by a non-destructive analysis device (25) arranged to analyse the elemental composition of parts of the rock (30).

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the collecting (212) at least the second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30), comprises transmitting (213) radiation towards the drill cuttings (32) transported to the mining machine (20), and detecting (214) radiation emitted from the drill cuttings (32) as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the drill cuttings (32) transported to the mining machine (20).

7. Method according to any of claims 4 - 6, wherein the method further comprising, before the step of collecting (212) the second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30), taking (210), by a splitter (24), at least one sample (A, B) from the drill cuttings (32) transported to the mining machine (20).

8. Method according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the transmitting (213) radiation comprises transmitting (213) radiation towards the at least one sample (A, B) taken by the splitter (24) and detecting (214) radiation emitted from the at least one sample (A, B) as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample (A, B).

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting (212) at least the second set of data (D2) relating to elemental composition of parts of the rock (30), comprises transmitting (213) radiation towards a rocksurface (33) of the first drill hole (31a), by a probe (22) inserted in the first drill hole (31a), and detecting (214) radiation emitted from the parts of the rock (30) as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the rock surface (33) of the rock (30).

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, after the step of determining (220), the method further comprising updating (221) an existing drill plan, based on the determination of the ore body (35) of the rock (30), determined from data from the drilling of at least one first drill hole (31a).

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, after the step of determining (220), the method further comprising planning (222) the drilling (200) of at least one second drill hole (31b) to be drilled, which is subsequent to the first drill hole (31a), based on the determination of the ore body (35) of the rock (30), determined from data from the drilling of at least one first drill hole (31a).

12. Method according to claim 11 , wherein the planning (222) the drilling (200) of the at least one second drill hole (31b) to be drilled, is performed continuously during drilling of at least one first drill hole (31a).

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the obtaining (202) the first set of data (D1 ) relating to physical properties of the rock (30), comprises determining (202) a density of the rock (30).

14. Method according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the obtaining (202) the first set of data (D1 ) relating to physical properties of the rock (30), comprises determining (202) mechanical properties of the rock (30).

15. A mining machine (20) comprising:a drill (21 ) for drilling a drill hole (31a, 31 b) in a rock (30), a return channel (23) for transporting drill cuttings (32) out of the drill hole (31a, 31b) to the mining machine (20),a non-destructive analysis device (25) arranged in connection to the return channel (23) and arranged to analyse composition of the drill cuttings (32)when passing the non-destructive analysis device (25).

16. Mining machine (20) according to claim 15, wherein the mining machine (20) further comprises a splitter (24), arranged at the mining machine (20) and arranged for taking at least one sample (A, B) from the drill cuttings (32) transported to the machine (20) by the return channel (23).

17. Mining machine (20) according to claim 16, wherein the non-destructive analysis device (25) is arranged to transmit radiation towards the at least one sample (A, B) and further arranged to detect radiation emitted from the at least one sample (A, B) as a result of the radiation transmitted towards the at least one sample (A, B).

18. Mining machine (20) according to any of claims 15 - 17, wherein the non-destructive analysis device (25) is a PFTNA-analyser.

19. Mining machine (20) according to any of claims 15 -18, wherein the mining machine (20) further comprises a treating device (26) arranged upstream the non-destructive analysis device (25) and arranged to treat the drill cuttings (32) according to a specification defined by the non-destructive analysis device (25).

20. A control system (100) configured to operate in connection with a mine and configured for wireless communication with a mining machine (20), the control system (100) comprising a processing circuitry (101) and a memory (102), said memory (102) containing instructions executable by said processing circuitry (101), whereby the control system (100) is operative for performing the method according to any of claims 1-14.

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