Abstract
Interdisciplinary barriers separating data scientists and geometallurgists have complicated systematic attempts to incorporate machine-learning into mine production management; however, experiences in excavating a vein-hosted gold deposit within the Alhué region of Chile have led to methodological advances, which is the subject of the current paper. These deposits are subject to several challenges, from increasing orebody complexity and decreasing gold grades to the significant geological uncertainty that is intrinsic to these systems. These challenges then translate to mineral processing, which is already dealing with increased environmental and technological constraints. Geological uncertainty causes stockout risks that can be mitigated by the approach that is developed within this paper, which features alternate operational modes and related control strategies. A digital twin framework based on discrete event simulation (DES) and a customized machine-learning (ML) model is proposed to incorporate geological variation into decision-making processes, including the setting of trigger point that induces mode changes. Sample calculations that were based on a simulated processing plant that was subject to mineralogical feed changes demonstrated that the framework is a valuable tool to evaluate and mitigate the potential risks to gold mineral processing performance.
Highlights
This study proposes a machine-learning model that is based on random forest classification to generate data that is subsequently consumed by the discrete event simulation (DES)
Geological uncertainties are inherent to all ore deposits and, as such, all downstream mineral processing tasks are subject to variability and unexpected changes in ore feed attributes
This puts an important burden on integrated mine–mill profile management as a deposit is developed, for mature operations which may face significant geometallurgical changes
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Gold has been one of the most important and sought-after precious metals throughout human history. Its uses have ranged from jewelry, ornaments, and luxury items, to functions as money and capital reserves, and, more recently, as a main technological component benefitting modern-day living standards. Its extraction and beneficiation processes are becoming increasingly complex and are limited by several challenges
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