Underground Marker Location via Signal Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mining operations, accurately identifying the location of ore body boundaries post-blasting is challenging, leading to inefficiencies and 'ore dilution' due to the movement of geological formations during blasting, making it difficult to separate valuable ore from waste rock effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and process for locating underground markers using signal transmission and reception through the ground, employing markers that act as network nodes to determine their positions based on signal properties, allowing for trilateration and iterative modeling to accurately map the post-blast ore body boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional geological mapping methods are used to identify ore body boundaries, then pre-blast ore locations can be determined, but post-blast ore body boundary locations cannot be accurately predicted due to ground movement during blasting
Solution Approach 1:
Markers are embedded in the ground at predetermined locations corresponding to expected ore body boundaries before blasting occurs. These markers serve as reference points that can be tracked before and after blasting to determine actual boundary locations despite ground movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits signals between markers to detect their locations after blasting, providing feedback on actual boundary positions. This feedback mechanism allows comparison between predicted and actual boundary locations, enabling correction of prediction models for future blasting operations.
2Productivity
If manual identification of ore boundaries in the muck pile is performed, then ore can be separated from waste rock, but the process is time-consuming and leads to ore dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual identification and physical separation methods with an automated electronic detection system. Signal transmission between markers provides automated boundary identification, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inspection and reducing human error in ore-waste separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Markers automatically transmit their location information through signal transmission without requiring external detection equipment or manual intervention. The system self-identifies boundary locations by having markers actively report their positions, enabling rapid and accurate ore body mapping.
3Loss of time
If rapid boundary identification is implemented to improve extraction speed, then productivity increases, but measurement accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic signal transmission between markers to continuously monitor and update boundary locations. By transmitting signals at regular intervals, the system maintains accurate real-time location data without requiring continuous manual measurement, thus achieving both speed and accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables rapid and accurate determination of ore body boundaries post-blasting, enhancing mining efficiency by minimizing ore dilution and optimizing the separation of valuable ore from waste rock.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting signals through the ground between markers in the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A process for locating underground markers, including: transmitting signals through the ground between markers in the ground; and determining locations of the markers based on the transmitted signals.