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BACKBMT’s new software v3.6, aiding the interface between precision and production due to misclassification
There are many challenges that Iron Ore and Porphyry Copper mines face to determine the most effective blast design and develop the most effective ore recovery. BMT’s BMM system is becoming the most globally trusted system; the go-to system that supports ore polygon data and the blast, the most chaotic event in a heterogeneous environment. The system has been effectively working on new dig lines, based on actual, measured 3D movement vector calculations, for commodities, traditionally, that are hard rock and narrow vein in nature and/or experience high loss/dilution due to unknown or highly variable movement. As a company heavily focused on R&D, BMT continues to map out ways their system can be incorporated into other mining digitisation plans. Offering solutions for other commodities and operational limitations that challenge the ability to utilise this specialised system are constantly being considered.
On the software front, time and research have been spent tailoring the system’s algorithms to also address a soft bulk ore polygon module, where mines are experiencing economic challenges based around misclassification. Our recently released BMM Explorer v3.6 will now also offer the ability to detect varying grades of ore and update dig lines accordingly.
Figure 1. Software v3.6 highlights the ore block boundaries affected by misclassification
The importance of this improved grade control allows mine sites to adhere to the incredibly stringent specifications imposed by iron ore customers and thus avoiding the harsh penalties for shipping a product that is below spec, or the financial loss that the mine would incur if the product is shipped above spec. Misclassification is a major issue for such commodities as iron ore, porphyry copper, and many more.
Figure 2.
BMT carried out a short trial at an Australian Iron Ore site with the aim to minimize misclassification of material as a direct result of blast movement. In the diagram, Fig. 2, the green shows the variation from its in-situ location, ignoring blast movement (as was the current practice at this particular mine), then there could be as much as 12% or 31,000 tonnes of misclassification, or ore ending up at the incorrect downstream location. The ability to calculate this through the new BMM software will inherently improve mine performance and offer a more accurate calculation for the mining team to work with. There will very soon be additional updates to this calculation to include the implications of mixing material based on not only Fe% but also; SiO2, Al2O3, P, Mn, LOI, S, TiO2, MgO and CaO to name a few.