SELECTION OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT FOR UNDERGROUND COAL MINING: AN EXPERT SYSTEM APPROACH

Abstract

A feasibility prototype has been developed to provide support to decision makers in selecting mining equipment. The narrow domain of mobile underground coal mining equipment (for excavation and handling) was chosen for the study. The job of equipment selection is performed now by experts, who are both knowledgeable and experienced. Therefore, an expert system approach was used to develop the feasibility prototype — a simple catalogue selection problem. The system development process and the advantages of having such a knowledge-based system are discussed in this paper. This feasibility prototype can be deepened by adding modules for other equipment groups for underground coal mines and can be broadened by adding modules for surface coal mining and hard rock ore mining. Because equipment selection is an important component of mine planning and design, the availability of a knowledge-based system for equipment selection will enhanced the degree of sophistication of the mine planning and design activity.