Shining a new light on mining: developing spectral metrics for decision support in mining exploration and operation

采矿业的新曙光：开发光谱指标以支持采矿勘探和运营的决策

• 批准号: RGPIN-2015-04853
• 负责人: Rivard, Benoit
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=613208
• 关键词: Shining; new; light; mining; developing

For mining exploration firms and mine operators limited near real-time knowledge of the characteristics of geologic materials manipulated in and around mines impedes the development of efficiencies during exploration and mine exploitation. This applies to the characteristics of drill core, the quality of ore and froth, and the state of tailings. A long-term goal of my program is to meet these needs by conducting fundamental research in the analysis of hyperspectral imagery and later work the findings into an enabling technology. Thus I will conduct studies focusing on three themes: (i) the characterization of drill core mineralogy, (ii) the detection of mine wall alteration and characterization of the ore,  and (iii) the characterization of tailings mineralogy and evaporative state. Integration of these themes along with recent progress from imaging of flotation processes has the potential to provide completely new near real-time decision pathways in mines (from drill core, mine walls to tailings) and in many instances new views of deposits.    To develop the real time characterization of drill core for a range of metrics I will focus on these fundamental research questions: i) Can one predict bulk rock major element geochemistry from imaging spectroscopy? If so which elements provide strong predictions.  The outcome would be an ability to invert spectral imagery (mm resolution) into geochemical predictors enabling vectoring investigations at a range of scales; ii) Beginning with oilsands, can on detect the presence and abundance of swelling clays in core and ore? Swelling clays in flotation cells and tailings can have a detrimental effect on process performance. To develop mine wall spectral imaging I will start by using a model that I developed to predict bitumen content from spectra of crushed oil sand ore and aim to adapt it to imagery of mine wall. I will need to develop methods for the calibration of mine wall imagery where the deployment of calibration targets can be challenging and a safety concern.  This research will guide the selection of imaging platforms that will operate in mines.  Lastly I will develop models to predict tailings characteristics. Fluid fine tailings are a costly mining and environmental challenge. My research aims to constrain where the tailings material lies on the drying curve without putting people at risk. Laboratory work has led to moisture estimation models using spectra from tailings samples. To ultimately develop operational monitoring fundamental research is required on how these models perform in outdoor conditions at tailing ponds, when the illumination field and other environmental variables degrade.

对于采矿勘探公司和矿山经营者来说，对矿山及其周围地质材料特性的近实时了解有限，阻碍了勘探和矿山开采过程中效率的提高，这适用于钻芯的特性、矿石和泡沫的质量。我的计划的长期目标是通过进行高光谱图像分析的基础研究来满足这些需求，然后将研究结果转化为支持技术，因此我将重点关注三个主题进行研究： （我）钻芯矿物学的表征，（ii）矿壁蚀变的检测和矿石的表征，以及（iii）尾矿矿物学和蒸发状态的表征这些主题以及浮选过程成像的最新进展。具有在矿山中提供全新的近实时决策路径（从钻芯、矿壁到尾矿）的潜力，并且在许多情况下提供新的矿床视图。 为了开发钻芯的一系列指标的实时表征，我将重点关注以下基本研究问题：i) 能否通过成像光谱预测块体岩石主要元素地球化学？如果可以，哪些元素可以提供强有力的预测。能够将光谱图像（毫米分辨率）转化为地球化学预测因子，从而能够在一定范围内进行矢量研究；ii）从油砂开始，可以检测岩心和矿石中膨胀粘土的存在和丰度吗？浮选槽和尾矿中的粘土会对工艺性能产生不良影响。 为了开发矿壁光谱成像，我将首先使用我开发的模型来根据碎油砂矿石的光谱预测沥青含量，并旨在使其适应矿壁图像，我需要开发用于校准矿壁的方法。校准目标的部署可能具有挑战性并且存在安全问题，这项研究将指导在矿井中运行的成像平台的选择。 我将开发模型来预测尾矿特性。我的研究旨在限制尾矿材料在最终干燥曲线上的位置，而不会让人们面临风险。实验室工作导致了使用水分估计模型。为了最终开发操作监测，需要对这些模型在尾矿池的室外条件下，当照明场和其他环境变量退化时的表现进行基础研究。