3D Block Modeling for Post-Blast Muckpile Grade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for grade control in open pit mining fail to accurately account for the three-dimensional post-blast shape of ore and waste regions, leading to ore loss and dilution due to the differential movement caused by blasting, which results in inefficient resource extraction and misclassification of materials.
Innovation Solution
A 3D block modeling method that compiles pre-blast data, incorporates movement data, and generates a 3D vector field to optimize the location of grade control polygons, taking into account geochemical properties, geostatistics, and post-blast topographic data to determine optimal dig boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizontal translation of 2D in situ grade control polygons is used, then the process is simple and quick, but the post-blast shape of the resource is not accurately represented leading to ore loss and dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from 2D horizontal translation of polygons to 3D block modeling that accounts for vertical and horizontal movement in all directions. The 3D vector field captures differential movement in three-dimensional space, accurately representing the post-blast shape of ore bodies and eliminating the dimensional limitations of 2D methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters used to describe ore boundaries from simple 2D coordinates to 3D block models with attributes including movement vectors, density, and geochemical properties. This parameter transformation enables accurate representation of post-blast ore shapes while maintaining computational efficiency through standardized block structures.
2Measurement precision
If 3D block modeling with comprehensive movement data is implemented, then ore boundary accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ore body into discrete 3D blocks that can be independently modeled and processed. Each block contains standardized attributes for movement, density, and geochemistry, allowing complex 3D modeling to be broken down into manageable units that can be processed systematically through the vector field transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual 3D digital copy of the ore body that can be manipulated and analyzed without affecting the physical mining operation. This digital twin allows comprehensive modeling of post-blast shapes and optimization of dig boundaries in a virtual environment before implementing decisions in the physical domain.
3Ease of manufacture
If differential movement caused by blasting is not accounted for, then the grade control process is simpler, but ore loss and dilution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary 3D modeling and vector field transformation before the actual mining operation. By pre-calculating the post-blast shape and optimizing dig boundaries in advance, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during mining while minimizing ore loss and dilution through accurate predictive modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback loops where actual blast movement data from transmitters and markers is used to validate and refine the 3D vector field model. This feedback mechanism continuously improves the accuracy of post-blast shape predictions, reducing ore loss and dilution while maintaining process efficiency through learned patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for 3-D block modelling of a resource boundary in a post-blast muckpile to optimize destination delineation for resource control is provided. An in-situ pre-blast model of an ore deposit to be mined, movement data, blast design and explosive loading information, and post-blast topographic data are input in to the memory of a general purpose computer. Using the pre-blast block model, movement data, blast design and explosive loading information, and post-blast topographic data a three-dimensional vector field is generated. The method uses the three-dimensional vector field to move a plurality of centroids of the in-situ block model to populate a three-dimensional post-blast location. Then method optimizes the populated three dimensional post-blast location to determine a plurality of sets of optimal dig boundaries.