Advanced Mining Technology Center
Annual Report - Issue 3
2012/13
Table of Contents 03
Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors
05
Preamble by the Executive Director
06
Presentation of the Annual Report 2012/13
08
History
09
Mission and Vision
10
Organizational Structure
11
Board of Directors
12
Scientific Advisory Board
13
Industrial Advisory Board
14
Internal Structure 16 Strategic Partners
18
AMTC Researchers
20
Research Group 1: Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling
42
Research Group 2: Mine Planning & Design
54
Research Group 3: Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy
66
Research Group 4: Mining Automation
88
Research Group 5: Water & Environmental Sustainability
102
Budget 2009-2012
103
Results 2012/13
104
Publications 2012
108
Technology Assets 2012/13
112
Intellectual Property 2012/13
114
Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences: Facts & Figures
116
Direction to AMTC
Annual Report-Issue 3
2012/13
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Advanced Mining Technology Center
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Message from the Chairman of The Board of Directors
“Hard” (according to the jargon used in engineering) is the gamble
Unique in the country, the AMTC experience is proving that the
taken by the Baseline Funding Program of CONICYT on AMTC
university - industry alliance is not only possible but also impe-
(Advanced Mining Technology Center). Indeed, this initiative has
rative to the development of key areas of the national economy.
been characterized by going beyond the field of generic research
Unfortunately, the economic benefits that these partnerships
and venturing into the creation, design and operation of devices,
generate are not yet explicit to the parties. This situation has
systems and processes that have larger impact on the mining
an immense relevance in times when national mining sector
industry: in other words, transforming knowledge into wealth.
seems to be leaving the burgeoning times and faces a new
This is a major task; the AMTC is a pioneer Center in our country
cycle of reduced copper prices vis-à-vis the recent expectations.
that lights the path of technology transfer through the generation of new products and their integration into production systems,
In that respect, there is no doubt about the economic imperative
this time, the result of a major national professional talent.
of this century: more and better knowledge of the technological base of the industry should result in more productive and efficient
In its fourth year of operation, the AMTC is now an established
mining operations. Hence, today, AMTC should be enhanced,
institution. Today, two aspects illustrate the initially envisioned
particularly in times of crisis, by strengthening and accelerating
strength of the AMTC. First, its ability to attract a significant number
its work and supporting the creation of the best solutions. The
of world-class researchers, from around the globe, who now lead
industry, in turn, cannot eschew the responsibility to adopt the
a first-class team of Post-doctoral and PhD students to construct
new paradigms.
the University - Industry Bridge. Second, the strategic maturity in the Centers´ R&D areas, which are now structured within small number of research groups. This change has increased creative density, improved synergies, and enabled the research to smoothly address the interdisciplinary demands that mining projects present.
Dr. Francisco Brieva
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Advanced Mining Technology Center
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Preamble by the Executive Director
“Technology for Mining Made in Chile” was the title of AMTC 2013 Workshop held in April 2013. This motto summarizes the Center’s mission: to influence the national mining industry through our scientific and technological expertise and, at the same time, to compel us to double our efforts towards becoming a benchmark, both at national and international levels, in the development of applied multidisciplinary science and know-how as well as in the transfer of novel technologies to the industry to meet the needs and challenges the mining sector faces. We are thus contributing to the increase in productivity and competitiveness of the mining industry as well as to the generation of wealth and progress in our country.
The Center’s success relies heavily on both our International Scientific Advisory Board and our Industrial Advisory Board, who support the orientation of our work from two perspectives: the scientific significance of our activity and its relevance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of each of the Boards for their excellent contributions towards the AMTC´s development. In the near future, we expect to further strengthen and expand our strategic alliances with mining companies, mining suppliers and research centers in Chile and overseas. The needs of the national mining industry are multiple and of great magnitude. Thus, developing technology that impacts the industry, increases productivity, reduces costs, and improves health and safety is a challenge that must be addressed in a collaborative approach by research centers, mining companies and suppliers. That is why the AMTC doors are wide open to ideas and initiatives to tackle this challenge in optimal conditions.
Four years after the creation of this Center, we are convinced we are on the right path to accomplish our goals. Our objective was to deliver the first fruits of our labor, which are showcased through the pages of this Annual Report 2012/2013, in which we describe the main projects and their results. In recent months, our efforts focused on capacity building for technology transfer and on the reorganization of the inner structure of the Centre. This was aimed to generate a greater synergy among the research teams. The number of teams was reduced from nine to five, merging some teams to address larger interdisciplinary projects. These five research teams are: Exploration and Ore Deposit Modeling; Mine Planning and Design; Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy; Mining Automation; Water and Environmental Sustainability.
Dr. Javier Ruiz del Solar -5-
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Presentation of 2012/ 13 Annual Report
We are pleased to present you with the AMTC 2012/13 Annual Report. It summarizes the efforts carried out by the Advanced Mining Technology Centre (AMTC) as a result of its commitment to generate world-class multidisciplinary research in the mining area, to bolster advanced human capital formation and to lead the transfer of knowledge to the mining industry. This document provides the national and international scientific and industrial communities with the knowledge of the major initiatives, projects and R & D activities performed by the AMTC Research Teams during 2012 and the first half of 2013.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
History
The Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) was created in March 2009, after being selected by the Partnership Research Program of CONICYT under the Baseline Funding Program for Scientific and Technological Centers of Excellence. The AMTC has managed to consolidate and integrate the activities of five research teams with extensive experience in the training of researchers and top professionals as well as in the development of scientific excellence. Its 167 scientists are integrated within the five research groups: Exploration and Deposit Modeling; Mining Design and Planning; Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy; Mining Automation; Water and Environmental Sustainability. In addition, AMTC has established important cooperations, and joint research initiatives with world class science organizations and technology centers. Among the AMTC partners are CODELCO and BHP Billiton Base Metals, whose representatives are also members of the AMTC Board. Currently, the Center has a four-storey institutional building (1,232 square meters), which houses the headquarters, 10 research laboratories and collaborative workspaces.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
MISSION
To generate world class multidisciplinary research, transfer novel technologies to the industry and train top-class professionals to face the challenges of mining, in order to contribute to the well-being and the development of Chile and communities worldwide.
VISION
We will be the leaders in the application of multidisciplinary R&D and the transfer of the knowledge and technologies to the industry, in order to meet the needs of the mining sector through innovation, both nationally and internationally. We will create a dynamic Centre that will attract scientists, industry professionals and students of the world class caliber to share our vision and ambitions and to contribute towards the Center’s goal. We will generate new alliances and partnerships with leading research centers and world class companies.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of Directors
Scientific Advisory Board
Industrial Advisory Board
Executive Director Strategic Council Operating Committee
Research & Development
Administration & Managerial Control
Adminitration & Finance
Human Resources
Legal Affairs
Exploration and Ore Deposit Modelling
Communication & Marketing
Mine Planning & Design
Technology Transfer
Demand Management
Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy
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Mining Automation
Formulation & Management of Projects
Water & Environmental Sustainability
Technological Development
Francisco Brieva Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. University of Chile
Cleve Lightfoot Leader, Global Practice Technology BHP Billiton Base Metals
JuliĂĄn Ortiz Director, Department of Mining Engineering University of Chile
Javier RamĂrez Director of Innovation University of Chile
Gerhard von Borries Vicepresident, Business Development CODELCO
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Board of Directors
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Scientific Advisory Board
Bruce Hebblewhite University of New South Wales, Australia
John Hadjigeorgiou University of Toronto, Canada
Guillaume Caumon University of Lorraine, France
Ram贸n Aravena University of Waterloo, Canada
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Malcolm Scoble University of British Columbia, Canada
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Industrial Advisory Board
Ricardo Aguilera Regional Manager, Projects & Technologic Innovation Barrick Sudamérica Mining Company
Fidel Báez Manager, Technology & Innovation CODELCO
Iván Cerda Manager, Technical Department SONAMI
Omar Hernández Coordinator, Innovation Programs INNOVAChile-CORFO
Óscar Muñoz Manager, Standards & Technical Development Anglo American Cobre
Óscar Valenzuela Manager, Mining Development Minera Escondida –BHP Billiton
Pascual Veiga President APRIMIN
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
AMTC INTERNAL STRUCTURE
STRATEGIC COUNCIL
OPERATING COMMITTEE
President Javier Ruiz del Solar Executive Director
President Javier Ruiz del Solar Executive Director
Members
MEMBERS
Martin Adams Principal Researcher Mining Automation Research Group
Manuel Duarte Principal Researcher Leader, Mining Automation Research Group
Raúl Castro Principal Researcher Mine Planning & Design Research Group Diana Comte Principal Researcher Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling Research Group Manuel Duarte Principal Researcher Mining Automation Research Group Xavier Emery Principal Researcher Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling Research Group Willy Kracht Principal Researcher Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy Research Group
Willy Kracht Principal Researcher Leader, Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy Research Group James McPhee Associate Researcher Leader, Water & Environmental Sustainability Research Group Nelson Morales Associate Researcher Leader, Design & Mine Planning Research Group Brian Townley Associate Researcher Leader, Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling Research Group
Yarko Niño Principal Researcher Water & Environmental Sustainability Research Group Julián Ortiz Principal Researcher Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling Research Group Claudio Pérez Principal Researcher Mining Automation Research Group Javier Vallejos Principal Researcher Design & Mine Planning Research Group - 14 -
ADMINISTRATION & MANAGERIAL CONTROL
Diana Comte
Paulet Riveros
R&D Director
Administrative Officer
Principal Researcher
Carlo Díaz Administrative Officer
TEChNOLOGY TRANSFER
Guillermo Navarro Administrative Officer Renée Kellinghusen Assistant
Rodrigo Cortés Manager Francisco Anguita
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT & CORPORATIVE AFFAIRS
Projects Coordinator
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT UNIT María Teresa Ramírez Executive Coordinator Priscila Palacios Strategy and Communication Officer Bernardita Ponce
Claudio Baeza
Strategy and Communication Officer
Head of Unit Oriana Miranda Engineer Ingrid Oviedo Engineer
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
MINING ENTERPRISES
TECHNOLOGICAL CENTERS & UNIVERSITIES
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
TECHNOLOGICAL ENTERPRISES
GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS
ASSOCIATIONS
FACULTY OF MATHEMATICAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES UNITS
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
AMTC RESEARCHERS Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling
Mine Planning and Design
01
02
Group Leader Nelson Morales
Group Leader Brian Townley
Principal Researchers Diana Comte Xavier Emery Julián Ortiz Associate Researchers Germán Aguilar César Arriagada Daniel Baeza Daniel Carrizo Reynaldo Charrier Katja Deckart Marcos Díaz Álvaro Egaña Marcelo García Francisco Gutiérrez Eduardo Magri Fernando Martínez Felipe Navarro Exequiel Sepúlveda Jorge Silva Fabián Soto Brian Townley Development Engineers Luis Acevedo Carlos Aranda Accel Abarca Eduardo Bustos Ernesto Castillo Carlos González Gerson Morales Melandra Molina Postdoctoral Researchers Pablo Guerrero Denisse Pasten
Doctorate Students Juan Becerra Alejandro Cáceres Gonzalo Díaz José Guillermo Fuentes Pamela Jara Nasser Madani Mohammad Maleki Marcela Oyarzún Claudia Pavez Matias Peña María Pía Rodríguez Masters’ Students Álvaro Aravena Sebastián Ávalos Magdalena Boetsch Enrique Caballero Efraín Cárdenas Pamela Castillo Juan Castro Carlos Corral María Cerda Gustavo Donoso Ignacio Gálvez Felipe Garrido Pablo Gómez Luis González Cindy Guaitía Rodrigo Gutiérrez Jorge Jara Pia Lois Yerko Martínez Roberto Miranda René Mora María Eugenia Segovia Yerko Simicic Daniela Paredes Ítalo Payacán Katherine Pinochet Katia Rossel Álvaro Vergara
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Principal Researchers Raúl Castro Javier Vallejos Associate Researchers Alejandro Ehrenfeld Nelson Morales Sebastián Valerio Eleonora Widzyk-Capehart Postdoctoral Researchers Pierre Nancel-Penard Doctorate Students Rodrigo Estay Enrique Jélvez María Elena Valencia Masters’ Students Rolando Arteaga Carolina Bahamóndez Sindy Burgos Cristián Castro José Ignacio Fuenzalida Tania Galarce Cristián López Juan Luengo Francisco Marco Yonathan Molina Vicente Ortega Juan Quiroz María Yrarrázaval Kimie Suzuki
Mining Automation
Water & Environmental Sustainability
Group Leader Willy Kracht
Group Leader Manuel Duarte
Group Leader James McPhee
Principal ResearchER Willy Kracht
Principal Researchers Martin Adams Manuel Duarte Claudio Pérez Javier Ruiz del Solar
Principal ResearchER Yarko Niño
03 04 05
Associate Researchers Néstor Becerra Christian Ihle Tomás Vargas Leandro Voisin Development Engineer Jorge Wuth Masters’ Students Jorge Casanova Nicolás Guarda Gonzalo Jéldrez Carlos Hunt Fabián Mancilla Gonzalo Damm Exequiel Marambio Carlos Moraga Karl Mühlenbrock Viviana Pavez
Associate Researchers Carlos Aravena Mauricio Correa Pablo Estévez Marcos Orchard Paul Vallejos
Associate Researchers Edward Cornwell Paula Díaz Christian Ihle Miguel Lagos James McPhee Maximiliano Rodríguez Aldo Tamburrino
Development Engineers Rodrigo Asenjo Jacob Saravia
Postdoctoral Researchers Andreina García Santiago Monserrat
Postdoctoral Researchers Omar Daud Francisco Galdames Keith Leung Patricio Loncomilla Freddy Milla Rodrigo Verschae
Doctorate Students Álvaro González Sergio Palma
Doctorate Students Norelys Águila Fernando Bernuy Leonardo Cament Carlos Celemin Daniel Herrmann Pablo Huijse Francisco Jaramillo Leonardo Leottau Daniel Luhr Carlos Navarro David Nova Wilma Pairo Sebastián Parra Marcelo Saavedra Daniel Schulz Claudio Tapia Juan Tapia Sebastián Ulloa Jorge Vergara José Miguel Yáñez Masters’ Students Alonso Astroza Enrique Guerrero Felipe Inostroza
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Masters’ Students Jaime Cotroneo Yuri Castillo Omar Castillo Fernando Medina Gonzalo Montserrat Tomás Trewhela
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Mineral Processing & Extractive Metallurgy
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RESEARCH GROUP
01 Exploration & Ore Deposit Modeling
Geological resources of our country constitute the most important assets of the mining companies´ development and their continuous operations. Although Chile has numerous base metal reserves, the discovery of new deposits has decreased due to the reduction of easy-to-detect surface resources. Future findings will mainly be made of mineral resources hidden beneath the sedimentary, post-mineralization cover or at great depth, with little or no surface exposure. Given the geological characteristics of the Andean Region, the interdependence of natural resources and associated geological hazards, it is necessary to develop multidisciplinary strategies to reduce ambiguity in the exploration of future deposits. This requires an integrated geo-scientific approach, which combines geophysics, structural geology, and geochemistry me-
thodologies applicable to fossil deposits and geothermal fields. Currently, large amount of data is generated at different stages of resource characterization, which is not fully exploited for the creation of resource models, the reserves or their geo-metallurgical value. Therefore, it becomes necessary to develop tools and models focused on delivering the best prediction (estimation) of resources, which are based on categorical and continuous variables, and on quantifying uncertainty to facilitate decision-making. The resource models are based on geo-scientific data and information and on data obtained from drill samples, which are highly important towards understanding of the nature of the deposit and planning the best strategy for its extraction and return on investment.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Exploration and Ore Deposit Modeling
01
Group Leader Dr. Brian Townley brian.townley@amtc.cl
Objective The Exploration and Ore Deposit Modeling Group studies and
In ore deposit modeling, geo-mineral metallurgical characteri-
analyzes various issues of the mining business through research
zation studies are performed. These studies allow quantitative
development and innovation. Its researchers are academics,
and qualitative mineral discrimination and determination of
full time researchers and graduate & undergraduate students
mineral processing predictive behavior models. These predictive
from Geology, Geophysics, Mining, Electrical and Computer
models have a strong research component in the development
Engineering. The Group’s research areas are based on studies of
of mineral deposit geo-statistical modeling oriented to univaria-
hydrothermal systems and ore mineral forming processes at all
te and multivariate estimation and simulation of reserves and
scales, applied to activities ranging from basic exploration (regio-
resources in complex scenarios. Ore deposit modeling also
nal), advanced exploration (district and local), and pre-feasibility
includes development of specialized software.
studies, including ore deposit geological models for estimation and simulation of resources and reserves and for geo-mineral metallurgical models.
Research Areas
Mining exploration related research involves geophysical, geo-
Considering the need to integrate geological, geophysical,
logical, structural and geochemical techniques, employed at
geochemical, and mining and metallurgical aspects in the cha-
regional to local scales, from “green fields” to “advanced” and
racterization of ore deposits, and taking into account the type
“brown fields” exploration. The projects integrate all techniques
of information available for numerical models, the Group favors
in order to achieve multi-scale transversal exploration criteria,
multidisciplinary analysis, incorporating different branches of
providing higher confidence in the identification of exploration
science and engineering, to maximize learning and development
targets. At ore deposit scale structural-geological, mineral and
of innovative techniques. This has allowed strengthening of a
geochemical characterization studies are performed, with results
variety of areas of expertise, both in terms of basic and applied
applied to both exploration models and resource assessment for
research and development, innovation and technology transfer.
geological and/or geo-mineral metallurgical models.
Among these are: Geological and structural multiscale mapping;
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Geo- and thermo-chronological dating; Petrological studies of the
of the uncertainty associated with the disposition and size of
magmatic sources associated with the ore deposits; Geochemical
geological bodies, particularly in terms of rock types, lithology,
analysis and modeling; Magnetic and paleomagnetic analysis;
mineralogy, alteration, textures and geological units, including
Neo- and seismotectonic studies; Local earthquake tomography;
multivariate relations to ore grade of elements of interest, of
Identification of active faults associated with shallow seismicity;
sub-products and impurities and their geo-metallurgical attributes.
Tectonic and structural models; Induced seismicity associated with mining and geothermal exploitation; Mineral, physical and
Application
geochemical characterization for mining exploration and geo-mineral metallurgical modeling; Integrated numerical modeling; Seismic hazard (interplate, intraplates and shallow seismicity);
The development of areas of expertise in the Group has allowed
Geo-statistics and stochastic modeling; Ore deposit evaluation
the generation of research lines that have an assortment of direct
and sampling; software development; High performance compu-
applications to the mining industry, which allow improvement of
ting; Image analysis, and Numerical modeling and optimization.
knowledge and technologies for the optimization of the mining
The analyses, tools and models developed by the Group im-
business. Present research lines and applications are:
prove the knowledge of the fundamental geological processes that are responsible for the genesis and evolution of giant ore
• Seismic tomography: a tool for geophysical exploration.
deposits and geothermal fields, based on 4D (3D + time)
• Structural modeling and applied tectonics.
models and the geological hazards associated with the most
• Geological hazard assessment.
relevant active tectonics of the Andean region. They also have
• Geology for mining exploration.
direct application in the construction of resource models using
• Numerical modeling of magmatic and hydrothermal systems.
estimation techniques as well as the numerical characterization
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
• Rock characterization by image analysis for the development
Achievements
of geo-metallurgical predictive models. • Geological modeling using advanced computational tools
Research and development has allowed the consolidation of a
and specialized software design for mine development.
unique work Group, which considers the enhancement of the
• Geo-mineral metallurgical modeling of ore deposits with
integration of several disciplines associated with exploration and
emphasis on the integration of geological and geochemical high performance computing models.
modeling of ore deposits and geothermal fields, using modern software and hardware. The Group consists of more than 30 researchers and a similar number of graduate students, and
The development of the previously mentioned research lines has allowed the creation of thematic laboratories, three of them grouped under Applied Geosciences & GeoResources Exploration Laboratory (AG2E):
involves a computer cluster with 32 cores. Furthermore, in its development, the Group has maintained a close relationship with the mining industry. The ongoing and finalized research projects and studies are carried out on emblematic mining districts, among these, Escondida,
• Geophysics Instrumentation Laboratory (AG2E). • Laboratory of Geomatics and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (AG2E).
Spence, Los Bronces, Los Pelambres and the Centinela District. In addition, development of specialized software tools has been accomplished, among these, software for the modeling of geo-mi-
• Paleomagnetism data processing Laboratory (AG2E).
neral metallurgical variables for geometric restitution of geological
• Geo-statistics Supercomputing Advanced Laboratory (ALGES).
bodies, and for image analysis and geological characterization. These projects have been developed in close collaboration with the mining companies, such as, CODELCO, BHP-Billiton, Anglo American, Antofagasta Minerals, and Yamana Gold.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Geological Hazard Assessment
Research Line Leader Dr. Diana Comte diana.comte@amtc.cl
Objective Research objectives are the evaluation of geological hazards by
The volcanic hazard study determines the probability of occu-
means of knowledge integration of the different potential hazard
rrence, magnitude and areas of influence of volcanic activity.
sources and estimation of geological recurrence, and identifi-
The danger is related to volcanic ash fall and toxic components
cation of the existing or potential vulnerability and the type of
(acid rain and heavy metals), avalanches of volcanic products
expected damage. The main challenge is to develop and apply
and water supplied by the melting glacier (lahars), lava and
methodologies using modern techniques of remote sensing
pyroclastic flows and landslides. The scope of these processes is
and geographic information systems; both in the study of the
evaluated through numerical simulations that consider different
processes themselves as well as monitoring activity in vulnerable
scenarios of magnitude and type of volcanic activity, topography
or high risk areas, allowing the assessment of hazards associated
and weather variables.
with geological phenomena typical of the Andean region, such as, earthquakes, volcanic activities and mass removals.
The analysis of the landslide risk is based on geomorphological mapping and morphometric analysis of watersheds and sub-drainage basins. The mapping is used to evaluate recurrence
Methodology
and estimate the volume of unstable and susceptible material transferred by collapses, crashes or creeping. Morphometric
The study of seismic hazard requires understanding the seis-
analyzes characterize numerically the relief occupying the drai-
motectonic context of the historical and recent seismicity of the
nage area, the slope, the steepness, roughness, topography and
study area. The different seismic sources must be identified and,
hypsometry, which together identify leading imbalance. Using a
for each, the Gutenberg-Richter relationship is determined. This
probabilistic approach the danger of landslides can be assessed
allows the estimation of the maximum expected magnitude of
based on models that integrate hydro-meteorological variables.
the seismic event. Subsequently, we determine the probability of occurrence for each seismic source using the Poisson and bi-parametric Weibull distributions.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results Seismic hazard studies carried out in Chile, Peru and Panama
For the study of the landslide hazards we use geographic infor-
regions, identified large interplate, intermediate depth intraplate
mation systems to visualize the drainage basins and combine
and superficial earthquakes that historically have affected diffe-
such information with an estimation of unbalanced relief featu-
rent regions of these countries. Earthquake rupture areas were
res, distribution of non to poorly-consolidated cover rocks and
determined as a function of the area VII MM intensity, and, in
recurrence time of previous landslide processes.
the case of recent earthquakes, as dependent on the distribution of aftershocks. In these areas, we estimated minimum distances
The studies associated with the different types of hazards have
to each type of seismic sources present in the study areas and
been carried out by Drs. Daniel Carrizo, Francisco GutiĂŠrrez and
determined the values of the Gutenberg-Richter relationship
GermĂĄn Aguilar.
for each type of seismic source. The time sequences between occurrences of earthquakes were modeled on a probabilistic
Funding
approach assuming Poisson processes or using Weibull bi-parametric distribution.
BHP Billiton To determine the baseline and/or to monitor volcanic activity
AMSA
of a particular system, we used volcanic monitoring stations.
BAIRD
Depending on the volcanic system under study, this monitoring may include seismicity, deformation, temperature, geochemistry of volcanic fluids and solids and remote monitoring of volcanic products.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Geophysics Instrumentation
Research Line Leader Dr. Marcos Diaz marcos.diaz@amtc.cl
Objective Research objectives include the design and implementation of
(design, construction, development and application) allows to:
geological and geophysical recording systems, such as; seismic
obtain body wave velocity structure, through a high-resolution
stations, volcanic monitoring stations and fault and slope remote
seismic tomography, process the recorded seismic data, and
monitoring stations.
monitor the baseline of seismicity and the induced seismicity associated with the mining processes.
Methodology
The volcanic monitoring stations allow continuous recording of the seismic activity, the temperature and the imaging of visible
A multi-parameter, low cost and lower consumption recording
changes in volcanic hydrothermal systems. These stations allow
system has been designed. The design is based on the identi-
monitoring of fumaroles emissions, volcanic plumes and crater
fication of the elements that permit continuous recording with
lakes as well as SO2 flow measurement, water level, pH and
the required precision of the parameters to be measured. We
electro-conductivity.
optimized the storage capacity and the telemetry transmission of the new recorder; its performance was tested in laboratory
For the evaluation of mass removal associated with fault and/or
and in natural field conditions.
slope stability, monitoring of dip and/or surface slope features is crucial. In mining operations, safety conditions do not allow
Currently, we have an updated version of the continuous recording
direct measurements, especially, in areas of high risk. Develop-
seismic stations, with variable sampling rates and with commu-
ment of remote sensing technology by using robotic helicopters
nication between stations and remote monitoring. This system
is being tested, combining aspects of hazard assessment with technological developments to make mines safer.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
The seismological stations built in this laboratory are currently
Innova Chile -CORFO
being used in research and applied projects for the mining and
Universidad de Chile
geothermal industries. An additional module that allows real
AMTC
time communication between the stations and a central recorder system is being tested.
Partners The stations that include other modules, such as, satellite communication (for remote areas), strong motion sensor, tem-
Octal IngenierĂa y Desarrollo
perature and imaging, SO2 flow measurement, water level, pH
IngenierĂa Redco
and electro-conductivity, are under development and testing. The development of seismic stations is carried out in collaboration with Dr. Diana Comte while the volcanic monitoring stations development in collaboration with Dr. Francisco Gutierrez.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Seismic Tomography: A Geophysical Tool for Exploration
Research Line Leader Dr. Diana Comte diana.comte@amtc.cl
Objective Seismic tomography is an indirect technique to identify new
the study area; the seismic stations have to be deployed with a
mineral resources. The discovery of new resources is of vital
reasonable azimuthal coverage and they usually are continuously
importance considering that the future ore deposits will be
recording during 4-6 months periods. These stations monitor
located under covered areas with little or no surface evidence.
natural seismicity and the seismicity generated by the mine blasting activity. The P- and S-wave arrival times are used for a joint, 3D determination of hypocenters and body wave velocity
The objectives are to:
structure (Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs). The Vp/Vs ratio, in particular, may • Integrate the results of seismic tomography to better unders-
indicate, through contrasts, more fragile zones and the presence
tand the emplacement models of large mineral deposits and
of fluid, which are correlated with the mineralized deposits. The
geothermal fields.
same technique has also proven useful in understanding active
• Use the hypocenters determined with a 3D model of seismic
geothermal fields.
wave velocities to analyze induced seismicity associated with mining and geothermal exploitation and its relationship with
The local earthquake tomography allows determination of a
seismically active fault systems within the near region.
3D body wave velocity model of the study area and accurate location of seismic source hypocenters; shallow seismicity observed in the area is especially important as a support for
Methodology
geological structural models. These models provide valuable
The main path is to use the abundant natural seismicity that
field conceptual models.
information for the generation of ore deposit and geothermal
characterizes the western boundary of Chile to visualize the 3D distribution of the ore (or geothermal) bodies, using the high Vp/Vs contrasts associated with their rheological characteristics with respect to their near environment. The spatial distribution of the seismic stations is defined as a function of the scale of
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Moreover, with the permanent seismic monitoring, induced seismicity associated with the mining processes can be determined as well as those associated with fluid injection in geothermal fields.
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The high rate of natural seismicity in the Andes allows identification
identification of some geothermal field geometric features. The
of shallow characteristics of the crust, such as lithological struc-
results have been obtained in collaboration with Drs. Daniel
tures, fracture zones, active faults and presence of fluids. These
Carrizo and Francisco Gutierrez.
elements are essential for building three-dimensional models of mega ore deposits and geothermal fields. Therefore, exploration
Funding
of these reservoirs requires data to quantify subsurface geometry and properties of potential exploration targets. The main results are 3D body wave velocity models, integrated with geological
Anglo American
and structural information, allowing identification of the depth
BHP-Billiton
distribution of known ore deposits and, potentially, some not
Baird
yet discovered. Such 3D models have also been useful in the
GeoGlobal Energy
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Modeling of Magmatic and Hydrothermal Systems
Research Line Leader Dr. Francisco GutiĂŠrrez francisco.gutierrez@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The research objectives of this initiative are to improve magmatic
Numerical models employ direct and remote sensing information.
and hydrothermal system conceptual models through quantitative
Determination of temperature and detection of surface thermal
analysis. The quantitative analysis is expected to allow a reduc-
anomalies by means of remote sensing is accomplished using
tion of the uncertainty of associated variables and processes,
satellite image processing and direct measurements of temperature,
towards more accurate models, which would, subsequently,
heat flux and net radiation in the field. The sub-surface thermal
contribute to better decision making in mining exploration and
distribution is determined by means of seismic tomography
geothermal reservoir evaluation. The analysis and modeling of
models. Geochemical models of fluids in the volcanic and/or
variables, conditions and thermal and geochemical processes of
hydrothermal systems are constructed based on temperature
magmatic and hydrothermal systems are completed through the
distribution, fluid composition (chemical and isotopic, pH, EC),
development of conceptual and static and/or dynamic numerical
and flow. Such determinations are based on direct geochemical
models. Surface and sub-surface static thermal simulations allow
sampling of gaseous and aqueous phases and, indirectly, on
determination of temperature distribution and thermal contrast
SO2 flow measurements by using differential absorption optical
anomaly models, while dynamic models allow determination
spectrometry.
of the temporal evolution of the main variables controlling the temperature distribution and fluid processes of the studied system.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Stationary simulations of the distribution of temperature and the
and hydrothermal systems has allowed quantification of flows,
time-dependent fluid dynamic simulations of the different flows
reservoirs and main processes occurring in these systems. These
associated with the magmatic and hydrothermal systems are
processes include mixing, boiling, condensation, crystallization,
based on the finite element method, optimization and inversion
and water/rock interaction reactions (mineralization and leaching).
developed by the researchers. These methods, with the geometry
The results of these simulations are presented in both static
of the resulting reservoirs, contribute quantitatively to exploration
images and videos. Simulations have revealed the main geolo-
decisions of mega deposits and geothermal reservoirs.
gical units (structures and lithology) that control the transport, reaction, and accumulation of magmatic hydrothermal fluids and
Results
magmas, allowing identification of the key factors that control emplacement of mega deposits and geothermal reservoirs.
The thermal modeling of magmatic and hydrothermal systems has allowed identification of thermal anomalies on the surface
Funding
and in sub-surface areas. The results of these static simulations are presented in geo-referenced images, sections (vertical and horizontal) and temperature diagrams, as well as, thermal and
FONDECYT
heat flow anomalies. The fluid dynamic modeling of magmatic
AMTC
- 33 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Applied tectonics and multi-scale structural modeling
Research Line Co-Leader
Research Line Co-Leader
Dr. Daniel Carrizo
Dr. César Arriagada
daniel.carrizo@amtc.cl
cesar.arriagada@amtc.cl
Objective Research objectives are aimed at improving structural geology
of sedimentary basins, advanced techniques of numerical struc-
models at all scales, thus reducing uncertainties, especially those
tural modeling (2D and 3D) and of temporal relationships (4D)
that describe and predict the physical environment and potential
using high-resolution geochronology techniques.
localization of ore deposits. This uncertainty represents one of the most important challenges in the development of exploration and mining models. The impact of this research line responds to
Methodology
the extreme sensitivity of business models in relation to strategic decisions of investment, both in the exploration phase as well
• Multiscale structural geological mapping (regional, district and mine) on the basis of quantitative and systematic data
as in the stages of resource extraction.
interpretation with implications for exploration and mining The development of structural models that allow integrating
operations (pits and tunnels).
3D information of different nature and scale, based on modern
• Analysis and characterization of structural systems.
concepts of deformation of the lithosphere and according to
• Structural geological interpretation of remote sensing and
the Andean tectonic evolution, represents a strategic key to the
geophysical data (2D, 3D seismic reflection profiles; gravi-
understanding of the relationship of mineral deposit forming
metric profiles, and magnetotelluric profiles, among others).
processes and the continuous deformation of the crust.
• Construction and validation of geometric, kinematic, and
On this basis, our aim is to understand the role of the various deformation processes and its associated structures in the genesis and evolution of mineral deposits in the Andean metallogenetic provinces and in active hydrothermal fields with geothermal potential. To reach this research objective, we have developed multiscale structural models (2D, 3D and 4D) with genetic and geotechnical implications, supported by quantitative field observations, interpretation of remote sensing, tectonic analysis
- 34 -
numerical validation of structural models (2D, 3D and 4D). • Surveys of paleomagnetic data and validation of oriented drill cores (shallow and deep). • Neotectonic observation methodologies (morphotectonics and Quaternary geochronology). • Determination of deformation ages, magmatism, and/or alteration and mineralization events.
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
Construction of geological models (2D, 3D and 4D) in areas
Antofagasta Minerals S.A.
of exploration interest (orogeny, province, district, and mine).
Anglo American Chile
Applications are oriented both to exploration and mine develo-
BHP Billiton
pment. The transversal information employed for these models
CODELCO
includes geo-mechanical aspects (useful for development of the
SRK Consulting Chile
mine design), as well as, ore genetic models and development
INGENDESA
of metallogenic evolution models for target determinations in exploration. Research activities includes the following scientists from other R&D Groups: Dr. Katja Deckart katja.deckart@amtc.cl (Geochronology and Isotopic Geochemistry) and Brian Townley brian.townley@amtc.cl (Metallogenesis, Mining Exploration and Applied Geochemistry).
- 35 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Geology for mineral exploration
Research Line Leader Dr. Marcelo GarcĂa marcelo.garcia@amtc.cl
Objectives The objective of this project is to acquire and integrate geolo-
relations, structure characteristics and rock sampling for laboratory
gical knowledge in highly prospective regions, which is crucial
studies (e. g., petrography, geochemistry, geochronology, thermo
to the implementation of exploration strategies in the early and
chronology and physical properties).
advanced stages of exploration campaign; for instance, to purchase or abandon mining properties and to plan and conduct
The scale of the survey can range from local (1:1,000) to regional
drilling or geophysical and geochemical surveys.Furthermore, the
(1:100,000). The techniques used range from digital geological
project will focus on inferring the site´s location and to generate
mapping to on-site and real- time data collection (using tablets
exploration vectors as integrated geological models that would
which incorporate GPS and appropriate software). This allows
contribute to the project´s exploration activity.
confirmation of data consistency, and integration with prior information and modeling.
In areas with post-mineral cover, the objective is to determine indirectly (without drilling) the sectors with a lower thickness of
Post-mineral cover thickness is determined by mapping, sampling
coverage and, within them, to interpret geophysical and geo-
and geophysical methods (such as gravimetric, seismic). When
chemical substrate signals that correlate with mineral deposit
the thickness is smaller and, therefore, more accessible by dri-
characteristics.
lling, the composition of the substrate is inferred (e.g., with gas collectors, detailed gravimetric magnetometer). Special emphasis is placed on the identification of exotic mineralization in the
Methodology
post-mineral cover, which can serve as a guide for exploration. Finally, the information is incorporated in conceptual models,
The geological survey is a primary tool in this area. It is based,
which allow visualization of the relationships in time and space
among others, on systematic observations, at a certain scale, of
between the thermal history of a deposit, deformation and its
lithological types, structural patterns and areas of hydrothermal
alteration-mineralization patterns.
alteration and mineralization. This includes identifying crosscutting
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The outcomes from geological surveys are in the form of regional
The study of mineral detection rates on the basis of low tem-
geological survey maps, Cuya and Miñimiñi, North of Chile, for
perature thermo-chronology at the Norte Chico area began at
the SERNAGEOMIN carried out at scales 1:100,000, as part of
the end of 2012.
SERNAGEOMIN mapping program to promote mining exploration. A directed research project is being developed to gather infor-
Research projects have been developed with researchers Drs.
mation on the varying thicknesses of the post-mineral cover in
Germán Aguilar (thermo chronology), Katja Deckart (geochro-
the Pampa del Tamarugal area. The seismic profiles are provided
nology) and Brian Townley (exploration geochemistry).
by ENAP.
Funding
In previous years (2010-2011), programs of geological survey with the mining companies AMSA, Kinross and Serviland Minergy were developed. In one of these areas, a 3D model of
SERNAGEOMIN
post-mineral cover thickness was generated.
AMSA Kinross Serviland Minergy FONDECYT
- 37 -
Research Line
Rock Characterization using Image Analysis for the Development of Geo-Metallurgical Predictive Models
Research Line Leader Dr. Juliรกn Ortiz julian.ortiz@amtc.cl
Objective
Results
The objective of this project is to develop algorithms, methods
The main outcomes of the project will be software prototypes at
and tools to allow the automation and improvement of geo-me-
a pre-commercial level. In addition, a provision of services using
tallurgical processes as well as the acquisition of relevant data for
digital image characterization for applications to geo-metallurgical
controlling these processes based on image analysis techniques
modeling will be considered for development within this project.
in both the visible and non-visible spectra.
The project will also contribute to the formation and training of highly qualified specialists and will generate a close relationship with the mineral industry.
Methodology The development of image analysis models based on color and
Funding
on the characterization of textures as well as hyper-spectral data is considered. This will allow the development of a system for
BHP Billiton
the characterization of minerals, through the determination of the
AMTC
species and their proportions, from a digital image in the visible
FONDECYT
spectrum, taken from a drill hole core or through microscopic analysis. In addition, the identification of the alterations, lithology and a quantitative characterization of the texture will be conside-
Partners
red. Furthermore, these tools will permit the characterization of object populations (measuring their quantity, average diameter,
Minera El Tesoro
among other characteristics) existing in digital images taken by
BHP Billiton
in-situ mechanisms.
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Research Line
Research Line Leader Dr. Xavier Emery xavier.emery@amtc.cl
Objective
Results
To develop tools and methods for constructing block models
The main result of the project is a software prototype for cons-
that describe the relationships between geo-metallurgical va-
tructing large block models in a multivariate context (currently,
riables to adequately characterize their spatial distribution and
the variables are often modeled separately or the focus is on
to predict the effects of these relationships on the metallurgical
few variables), improving mine planning and decision-making.
and economic performance of mining ventures.
The project will also contribute to the training of specialists and will generate a close relationship with the industry.
Methodology Funding Multivariate modeling must account for the spatial correlation of each variable as well as the spatial dependence between variables.
AMTC
It is proposed to incorporate multivariate geo-statistical estimation
FONDECYT
and simulation tools for the construction of three-dimensional
Innova Chile - CORFO
block models of geo-metallurgical variables, such as, mineral
CODELCO
grades, rock types, minerals abundances or acid consumption. In addition to conventional techniques, it is of interest to incorporate
Partners
other techniques developed in the scope of the project in order to address possible implementation problems. The proposed
CODELCO
solution is innovative as current commercial software does not allow to properly characterize multivariate relationships and does not take advantage of these relationships.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Geo-metallurgical modeling of ore deposits with emphasis on the integration of geological and geochemical information into highperformance computing models
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Geological Modeling with Advanced Computational Tools and Creation of Specialized Software for Mining Development
Research Line Leader Dr. Juliรกn Ortiz julian.ortiz@amtc.cl
Objective The objective of this project is to: develop computational tools
In the first case, a reference plane is determined onto which
to allow adequate geological modeling of ore deposits, which
points are projected; the points representing a solid in the original
includes restoration of the original geometry of ore bodies
space are projected into this transformed coordinate system.
affected by faults and folds; to facilitate the inference of the
Then, a conventional geostatistical modeling is followed within
spatial continuity and subsequent modeling of the resources
the transformed coordinates system, which improves the infe-
and to enable the input and integration of expert knowledge in
rence of the continuity and allows using an increased number
the geological modeling through gestural commands with the
of data in estimation and simulation of unsampled locations.
support of numerical methods, deterministic and stochastic. The
The second approach aims at characterizing locally the reference
outcome sought is a rapid construction of solids representing
system and defining non-Euclidean distances. In this approach,
geological bodies while ensuring full consistency with the hard
geodesic distances between points on the folded system are
(field) data.
numerically approximated to solve the problems of estimation and simulation of the attributes of interest considering this geometry. The project also aims to develop an interface in order to facilitate
Methodology
the input of expert information through gestural commands, to be
Procedures for the geometric restitution are implemented in two ways. In the first approach, an explicit approach is followed, in which the body is brought to its original geometry, prior to folding and faulting. The second approach uses implicit modeling of the folding, through the characterization of locally varying anisotropy field.
- 40 -
used as soft information to control the behavior of the numerical models, which in turn are based on hard (field) information from drill samples and surface and underground mappings. The generation of volumes is performed using deterministic techniques based on distance to the contacts between geological
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Funding
units or with stochastic tools that use the spatial continuity of different categories and that are used for modeling the uncertainty in the extent and position of the geological bodies.
BHP Billiton Yamana Gold AMTC
Results
Department of Mining Engineering, FCFM, UCH
The project aims to generate a software prototype to perform
Partners
assisted geological modeling, with easy input of expert information. The software is based on the numerical tools generating solids consistent with the hard (field) data while being controlled by
BHP Billiton
the soft information provided by the modeler.
Yamana Gold
- 41 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RESEARCH GROUP
02 Mine Planning and Design
The progressive depletion of surface
into profitable operations subject to the
mineral resources and the exploitation
strategic objectives of shareholders and
of mineral deposits at depth require the
mining business owners; expanding the
use of underground excavation techniques
understanding of massive underground
that are both safe and profitable.
caving methods; designing and applying selective mining methods in medium
Currently, Chilean, Australian and Cana-
government-owned mining enterprises,
dian mining companies are conducting
as well as developing procedures and
mining developments in Chile that will
methodologies to facilitate mine planner
position mining operations at levels much
with better understanding of complex
deeper that currently exist. This makes
linkages between the geo-metallurgical
it necessary to formulate a strategy for
characterization of the deposits and their
knowledge development aiming towards:
economic value.
transforming the geological resource
- 42 -
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
- 43 -
02
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Mine Planning and Design
Group Leader Dr. Nelson Morales nelson.morales@amtc.cl
Objectives The Mine Planning and Design Group aims to create know-how and technologies through the development of support tools in the area of mine planning and design that will benefit the mining industry now and in the future. The main areas of research and development range from the understanding of mining operations and the underlying geological conditions with the use
• Modeling of mining processes (scaled) for the design of mining equipment and scheduling • Numerical modeling of rock mechanics processes • Ventilation • Simulation of discrete elements within the mining systems
of numerical modeling, simulation techniques and laboratory
• Scheduling optimization for open pit and underground mining
tests, through the testing and validation of these models in the
• Modeling and optimization of production processes and
field to the development of application tools, such as, software
development of computational solutions towards field testing
packages, that will guide and support decision making within
and implementation
the mine planning and operational sectors of mining ventures.
• Software development and implementation within the geotechnical, mining, and metallurgical processes • Valuation of production sequencing and planning under
Areas of Competence
uncertainty.
The Mine Planning and Design Group encompasses the following
• Development and implementation of sensing techniques. • Management and analysis of information systems for mining
areas of competence: • Establishment of guidelines for the design and operation of
Application
underground mines • Statistical analysis of operational data • Numerical Modeling of Caving and Gravity Flow phenomena • Applied Geotechnology
The research and developments conducted by the Group are applied across the entire value chain of mining ventures, including the use of technologies in mining operation in medium to large scale operations, both in open-pit and underground mines.
- 44 -
Development of material flow simulation tools; Syscave and
• Development of software package for mining scheduling,
FlowSimsoftware packages, which allow modeling and prediction
UDESS, with underground mining application encompassing
of the sequence and method of extraction in mining production
construction activities and optimal extraction.
plans of Block/Panel Caving. These software tools have been
• Establishment of methodologies for integrated mine planning
applied at industrial-scale operations, for instance, towards the
incorporating variability and uncertainty within the analysis
development of the extraction sequence at Chuquicamata
that allows the generation of robust and reliable mine plans
Underground Project.
with high probability of return on investment. •
• Development of methodology and software algorithms for
Modeling of operational, geological and market uncertainties towards long-term planning and strategic development as well
the determination of mesh extraction Block/Panel Caving
as development of software tools for assessing uncertainties
based on statistical analysis of historical data from mine
and variability for rapid analysis of impact of variability on
block/panel caving operations. This methodology was applied
mining plans.
in the design of new mine level at El Teniente Mine. • Establishment of methodologies for the study of caving
The Group´s knowledge, expertise and technologies have been
phenomenon in mine processes validated through laboratory
employed in various industrial projects with CODELCO, Agnico
up to pilot-scale testing (scale and numerical modeling).
Eagle and BHP Billiton.
• Development of software algorithms for short- and medium-term mine planning, BOS2M, that integrates operational and material blending restrictions and aims to integrate the extraction, geology and metallurgy into the planning process.
- 45 -
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Achievements
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Development and Integration of Information and Instrumentation Systems towards Modeling of Mining Processes and Operational Planning in Mining Ventures
Research Line Leader Ing. Alejandro Ehrenfeld alejandro.ehrenfeld@amtc.cl
Objectives The objective of this initiative include:
R&D pathways were defined and created in the areas of:
• Development, modeling and simulation of information
• Design and construction of an intelligent tracking system for
systems for intelligent decision support at various levels of
gravitational flow of the material within large underground
mine planning and operation.
mines. The main function of this system is to enable tracking
• Generation and calibration of models of various operational
of mineral-related data using Inertial Navigation Systems.
processes related to the material extraction in surface and
• Development of methodologies and real-time application of
underground mine based on data fusion, novel sensors and
sensing techniques to enable detection and quantification
innovative sensing techniques.
(grade) of minerals utilising hyperspectral cameras, lasers and
• Development of operational framework and control models to enable optimization of material blending processes and recovery factor within mine operations.
other sensors. This initiative was funded by FONDEF-IDeA in September, 2013. • Conceptualisation and design of a Virtual Planning Room to improve short- and long-term mine planning activities through the improvements in information availability, increased capacity
Methodology
for data processing, analysis and visualisation and high level of engagement among team members. This initiative was
In 2012, a survey of new technologies and information system existing within the large mining operations in Chile and worldwide was undertaken to inform the future R&D path of this project.
- 46 -
funded by CORFO-INNOVA Line 1 Fund in January, 2013.
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results • Design and commissioning of a scaled model of an auto-
The following outcomes and benefits are expected for the
nomous, continuous (conveyor belt) underground mining
Mining Industry:
system, with CODELCO as a partner, which will provide • Creation of a laboratory-scale model of the intelligent tracking
better understanding of mining processes and enable future
system, which will provide an ideal platform for collection of
conversion of mechanized mines into remotely controlled
experimental data towards calibration of numerical simulation
or automated mines.
tools and their subsequent use towards enhanced mine planning tools.
Funding
• Design and development of an integrated mine system based on data fusion, novel sensors and sensing techniques, with modular architecture, which will enable rapid data collection
AMTC
and transfer from mine operations (in-pit data) to mine
Innova Chile - CORFO
plans (site office).
CODELCO FONDEF-IDeA
- 47 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Development of a Water-Mud Flow Simulator for Underground Caving Operations (Mudflow)
Research Line Leader Dr. Raúl Castro raul.castro@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
In underground mining it is vital to ensure both safety of the
The project methodology includes the development of the
personnel and the continuous extraction of reserves. One of the
following models:
problems the underground mines must address is the sudden entry of mud, a mixture of fine material and water, into the pro-
• Hydrogeological Model: the aim of this model is to cate-
duction levels and ore passes. The impact of the mud rush into
gorize the behaviour of water inlets and outlets within the
the mine can be divided into two areas: personnel safety and
underground mine, the main flows, the flow at the inlet and
business value. The significance of the former is reinforced by
outlet as well as the flow´s relation to the production areas
several fatalities that occurred in the past due to the mud entry
of the mine.
into the mine. The importance of the latter, which also includes
• Geotechnical Model: this model seeks to explain the geo-
precluding the personnel from exposure to risk, is underpinned
technical phenomena and conditions that might trigger the
by a significant percentage of resources excluded from extraction
mud flow event. Based on geotechnical testing of various
due to high risk of potential mud flow at some extraction points.
conditions, the effect of stress on the material can be deter-
The objective of this project is to develop a simulation tool for
mined. The result will be a cause-effect model of conditions
the flow of muddy water towards identifying potential areas of
that could lead to mud flow events.
mud burst, which might threaten mining reserves and safety of workers, and to provide input towards safe and profitable mining operation and realistic production plans.
• Flow Model in Saturated Conditions: this model aims to determine how different mining variables are affected when bursts of water-mud occur. By constructing a model of ore flow and analysing the various variables, the behavior of material with mud characteristics under different extraction scenarios will be studied.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The three models: hydrogeological, geotechnical, and in saturated
zones containing clay within the mine. The software will also be
conditions, will serve as the theoretical basis for the implemen-
able to quantify the extractable mineral reserves that could be
tation of the mud flow simulator., through the understanding of
compromised by the anticipated inflow of the mud.
the mud rush phenomenon into extraction points. The simulator model will be based on cellular automata or equivalent technique,
Funding
which will simulate the movement of materials due to mineral extraction that incorporates the results of the research produced
Innova Chile- CORFO
by the previous stages (flow modeling). The simulation software will be developed based on the outco-
Partners
mes of time studies of hydrogeological and geotechnical data as well as information gathered from the extraction of potential
CODELCO
- 49 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Development of Design Tools for Selective Underground Mining
Research Line Leader Dr. Javier Vallejos javier.vallejos@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
Currently, one of the main challenges of the mining industry is
The research and development of the project considers the
the safety of their operations while considering a high return
following working steps:
value on the investment. Selective underground mining, the third most productive sector in Chile, would provide the industry with the means to achieve safety and productivity targets while minimising the costs of the operations. Selective mining refers to the operations that can “choose” the geometry and sequence in which mineral resources are extracted. To be effective, selective underground mining should have a low level of dilution and high recovery of mineral reserves. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop design tools for selective underground mining that reflects the geological and mining conditions at the Chilean mines. These tools will be encapsulated in a prototype, pre-commercial software package.
- 50 -
• Collection of data from mining operations and generation of the database. • Statistical analysis of the database and development of empirical methods for design. • Numerical modeling of selective mining operations. • Validation of the design tools by mine-scale tests.
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
The following outcomes and benefits are expected for the
Innova Chile - CORFO
Mining Industry:
Minera Ojos del Salado
• Operational benchmark of practices employed by open
Partners
stope mines in Chile. • Database of geotechnical, geological and mining information.
El Soldado – Anglo American
• Numerical models of underground selective mining operations .
Minera Ojos del Salado - Freeport
• Prototype, pre-commercial software package for the design
Minera Florida – Yamana Gold
of stopes and pillars, validated in the field.
Minera Carola – Carola El Peñon – Yamana Gold
- 51 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Holistic and Robust Mine Planning
Research Line Leader Dr. Nelson Morales nelson.morales@amtc.cl
Objective The goal of this initiative is the development of planning tools
The main research and development lines are:
that support the mine planning through the holistic approach: an integration of various aspects of mine planning enhanced by the latest advances in technology and software algorithms. The integration is applied to the stages of the mine planning process which are discrete today (plans that have a suboptimal value or are infeasible) but also incorporating variability and uncertainty within the planning process itself (and not only as a post analysis). The final result will then be plans that are coherent at the different mine planning level and horizons, while maximizing their probability of success and robustness.
• Benchmarking of commercial software as well as new models and techniques available in the academia. • Using mathematical optimization and simulation techniques to approach mine planning problems. • Implementation of algorithm and software development towards industrial use. • Technology transfer of the developed tools and models to the mining and service industry.
Methodology
Results
The methodology is based on a continuous study and re-eva-
The main results in this area correspond to the development
luation of mine planning models and practices as well as on
of two mine planning software packages (Copyright owned by
perpetual integration of state-of-the-art tools in models and
the University of Chile):
algorithms with applicability to mine planning. • BOS2M: An open-pit scheduler that integrates accessibility This methodology will provide a platform for determining oppor-
and processing constraints, providing computational support
tunities for improvement and generating the tools that solve
for a Geological Metallurgical Mine Planning. • UDESS: A mining activity scheduler, oriented towards
ongoing and new problems.
underground mining, that allows integration of the mine developments planning and production simultaneously, generating coherent mine development–production plans, while maximazing the value of the business.
- 52 -
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
At a conceptual level, the group has obtained different results
In addition, this initiative has allowed the development of va-
in the following areas:
rious mine planning tools at different levels (from strategic to short- term) that has been tested and validated at several mines,
• Computation of final pit and pit scheduling considering
including operations of BHP Billiton, CODELCO and Anglo Ame-
operational areas
rican. These tools were presented at international conferences including MININ, APCOM, MinePlanning, and MassMin.
• Optimization of open-pit scheduling incorporating accessibility constraints (ramps, operational areas). • Optimization of open-pit scheduling integrating environ-
Funding
mental constraints, such as, re-handling and minimization of crushing energy.
BHP Billiton
• Construction of mine plans considering market and geolo-
CODELCO
gical uncertainty (example: application of realistic options to
AMTC
optimize fleet size and project timing).
- 53 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RESEARCH GROUP
03
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
During mining operations several types of
subdivided into four main areas: mineral
minerals are extracted, some of them of
processing, hydrometallurgical processes,
commercial value, usually the least abun-
pyro-metallurgical, and electrometallur-
dant, and others, relatively less valuable
gical procedures and processes. Each of
or worthless. The extractive metallurgy
these areas faces increasingly complex
is the set of processes that are carried
challenges as a result of the decline in
out to selectively separate the species
declared deposits, existence of “penalized�
of interest from those without value. In
elements and increasingly demanding
general terms, these processes can be
environmental regulations.
- 54 -
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
- 55 -
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
03
Group Leader Dr. Willy Kracht willy.kracht@amtc.cl
Introduction Minerals extracted in a mining operation can be characterized in
and/or recovery improvements of valuable elements from the
terms of their relative value as ore and gangue. Extractive mineral
available resources.
processing and metallurgy correspond to a series of processes that allow selective separation between ore and gangue. There
To address the challenges associated with mineral processing and
are four areas of R&D undertaken within the Mineral Processing
extractive metallurgy, the Group´s expertise is complemented by
and Extractive Metallurgy Group: mineral processing, hydrome-
researchers from other Groups in areas as diverse as stochastic
tallurgy, electrometallurgy and pyro-metallurgy.
modeling, image analysis, supercomputing and process control.
Nowadays, extractive metallurgy faces lower-grade ores, more complex ores with refractory phases and/or penalty elements,
Areas of Competence
and severe environmental regulations. All this translates into the need for active research and development, which requires
The areas of competence of the Group include:
qualified human resources and appropriate facilities to undertake • Geo-metallurgy
experimental R&D.
• Physical-chemistry of surfaces and interfaces • Transport phenomena
Objective
• Electrochemistry
The Group´s objective is to contribute to the generation of
• Corrosion
knowledge in the areas of mineral processing and extractive
• Flotation
metallurgy as well as to develop procedures and technologies
• Hydrometallurgy and bio-hydrometallurgy
that would allow efficiency improvements of current processes
• Pyro-metallurgy
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recognized, is the participation in two FONDECYT projects and
• Residues processing and handling
one applied project (R&D) funded by CORFO (Corporation to Foster Productivity). The Group participated in teaching courses
• Metals recycling
of continuous formation and as part of the Graduate Diploma in
• Intelligent materials
geo-metallurgy. The Group of Mineral Processing and Extractive
• Process control
Metallurgy has also strengthen its collaboration with local and
• Process modeling
foreign universities through participation in conferences (AMTC
• Optimization of process operation
researcher presented at Tokyo University) and through receiving visitors from McGill University (Canada) and from the Northern Catholic University (Chile). In collaboration with the latter, the Group presented a paper at the 12th Bi-National Conference
Achievements
on Metallurgy and Materials (Chile-Argentina), Conamet/SAM The Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy research was
2012. In addition, the Group plays an important role in the or-
recognized as separate R&D Group within the AMTC in 2012.
ganization and editorial committees of the International Mineral
Before 2012, this expertise was associated with other groups
Processing Conference (PROCEMIN 2012). Other achievements
within the Centre. During 2012, the Group had only three
include: guidance of six undergraduate/graduate theses and
participants, whose research interests covered the different
contribution to the book “Noble Metals”, edited by Dr. Yen-Hsun
areas of extractive metallurgy and mineral processing, with
Su, Intech, with the chapter entitled “Distribution of precious
emphasis on flotation, pyro-metallurgy, and hydrometallurgy.
metals during the reduction of pyrometallurgical processes of
Among the achievements of the Group, after being formally
complex copper materials”.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
• Non-ferrous extractive metallurgy
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
IN-SITU BACTERIAL LEACHING OF COPPER SULPHIDE ORES IN UNDERGROUND MINING
Research Line Leader Dr. Tomás Vargas tomas.vargas@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE With the increase in copper demand, the continuous decrease
The project will establish the technical and economical basis,
of mineral grades and the sustained increase of energy costs
together with the experimental and conceptual tools, for assessing
associated with extraction and comminution, the in-situ leaching
and optimizing the extraction of copper by application of in-situ
of copper minerals is becoming a more attractive technological
bioleaching technologies.
alternative from economical and environmental perspectives. In-situ leaching presents, in principle, great advantages in operating costs compared to other leaching methods as, in this case,
METHODOLOGY
the ore is directly treated without extraction, minimizing the cost of mining and comminution. However, its application is to-date
The methodology of the project considers an integrated approach
limited as with its current state of development copper recoveries
to the in-situ leaching process which incorporates the study of
with this technology are expected to be much lower than those
aspects related to underground mining, in-situ fragmentation,
obtained with leaching in heaps and dumps. In addition, it is
fluid dynamic aspects of air and solution flow in the ore bed and
important to consider that in this process, there is no adequate
bioleaching mechanisms, which are key for the innovation of the
technological approach for the confinement of leaching solutions
process. From this perspective, the working team integrates the
to fully control risk of any environmental contamination.
collaboration of Principal Investigators from the Mine Planning and Design Group, Dr. Raúl Castro, expert on Mining Design;
The aim of this project is to establish at AMTC a key area for the
the Water and Sustainability Group, Dr. Christian Ihle, expert in
development of advanced approaches for the mining industry,
Fluid Dynamics; the Minerals Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
in this case, based on the in-situ bioleaching of sulphide ores.
Group, Dr. Tomás Vargas, expert in bioleaching.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
RESULTS • Modeling and assessment of the impact of natural and forced
The project development will focus on the following areas:
air convection on the process efficiency. • Assessment of the economic potential of application of
• Study of the mechanism of solution infiltration in the mineral
in-situ bioleaching to ore bodies of different characteristics.
rock and its influence on copper leaching rate.
• Study of the in-situ fragmentation and extraction of rocks
• Optimization of chemical and biological mechanisms in the
aimed at optimizing the ore bed permeability.
in-situ bioleaching of chalcopyrite.
• Characterization, control, and optimization of solution flow patterns in fragmented ore bodies.
FUNDING
• Development of methodologies for the control of discharge of solutions to the environment.
AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
New Continuous Converting ENAMI Process, CCE, of Copper Matte to Blister
Research Line Co-Leader
Research Line Co-Leader
Dr. Leandro Voisin
Daniel Smith, EMAMI
leandro.voisin@amtc.cl
Objective The objective of this project is to, firstly, carry out testing of
develop engineering requirements for the new plant as well
the Continuous Converting ENAMI technology, CCE, of copper
as implement the technology towards the industrial pilot tests.
matte to blister using packed bed reactor on an industrial-pilot
Moreover, the company Buildtek SA, which participated in the
scale plant to corroborate the promising results obtained from
design and construction of the previous plant, will also participate
laboratory scale tests. Subsequently, it is proposed to optimize
in this development.
operational parameters and maximize the treatment capacity of the pilot-industrial plant, which will provide the basis for an
In general, the project consists of five major areas of R&D:
industrial-scale application. In the final stage, the process and the technology will be commercialized, generating a progressive
• Requirements Analysis and e-Engineering Design
replacement of the current, operationally complex, high-pollution
• Industrial Data Collection
and high-cost technologies, such as, batch type denominated CPS, Peirce Smith Converter.
• Development of laboratory scale tests, under two MSc theses:
“Oxidation Kinetics of Continuous Converting of Copper Matte and Distribution of Impurities in Packed Bed Reactor”, and
Methodology
“Thermo-Fluid-Dynamics Modeling, TCFD, of the ENAMI´s Continuous Converting Process, CCE, of Copper Matte in
The development of the industrial scale pilot version of the technology will involve ENAMI and the AMTC at the University of Chile through its Extractive Metallurgy Group, which will
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Packed Bed Reactor” • Development of the process control system • Engineering development and pilot-industrial scale test
Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results To-date, the Requirements Analysis, the Engineering Design
This places the CCE technology as economically viable and novel
and the Industrial Data Collection have been completed. The
alternative for the continuous production of Blister copper for
outcomes from one of the two theses were diffused in four
the industry.
scientific publications concluding the following:
Funding
• CCE Technology under its worst investigative scenario presented a treatment capacity four times higher than that
FONDEF
obtained from a conventional CPS reactor.
ENAMI
• From an environmental standpoint, the simplicity of the new design facilitates the uptake of the exhaust gases, avoiding the generation of large fugitive volumes and allowing the control
Partners
of SO2 in a continuous manner under stable concentration, improving the efficiency of the acid plant.
Universidad de Chile
• The results were satisfactory in terms of both the quality of
ENAMI
the obtained Blister and the environmental implications with
Buildtek Industrial Technologies S.A.
regard to the removal of impurities of As, Sb, Pb and Zn. • CEE technology has lower capital cost than the existing technologies.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RECOVERY OF PHOSPHOROUS FROM PHOSPHATE ORE TAILINGS USING BIOLEACHING
Research Line Leader Dr. Tomás Vargas tomas.vargas@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE
METHODOLOGY
To develop a process for the recovery of phosphorous from
The project will investigate the behaviour of mesophylls, mode-
several phosphate ore tailing of Vale S.A. in Brazil, based on the
rate and extreme thermophiles microorganisms with the aim of
application of bioleaching with autotrophic microorganisms. This
optimizing their sulfo-oxidant catalytic activity in leaching solutions
type of microorganisms is convenient to use in mining environ-
obtained from the treatment of phosphate mineral tailings. For
ments as they can use CO2 or carbonates in the rock as a source
this purpose, different molecular techniques – such as PCR,
of carbon for their growth, which renders the addition of organic
tRFLP, Dapi and CAR FISH – will be combined to characterize
substrates unnecessary. In addition, bioleaching processes with
and monitor the growth and type of oxidative activity of several
these microorganisms can be implemented using bioleaching
microorganisms at different temperatures. Kinetic aspects of the
in heaps, which is a technology of low cost and easy operation,
leaching of different phosphate ore tailings will be determined
with possibilities of economic exploitation of low grade mineral
from monitoring of ions in solution, while morphological, mi-
resources. This project opens a great potential for AMTC to
neralogical and crystallographic aspects involved in the mineral
contribute to the expansion of the application of bioleaching
decomposition will be characterized using techniques such as
into the field of non-metallic.
mineralogical analysis, XRD, Rietveld, Raman, SEM-EDAX and TEM.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
RESULTS
FUNDING
The results of this project will help to define the microorganisms,
Vale S.A.
operating temperature and physico-chemical solution conditions, which will enable to optimize the oxidative activity of the mi-
PARTNER
croorganisms and the leaching ability of the different phosphate mineral tailings. Accordingly, it will be possible to define the
Vale S.A.
necessary steps of the process and their respective conditions to optimize the recovery and leaching rate of phosphorous from the various mineral sources considered.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Development of instrumentation to characterize gas dispersion in flotation
Research Line Leader Dr. Willy Kracht willy.kracht@amtc.cl
Objective The objective of this research line is to develop new instrumenta-
bble size distribution in flotation are undertaken using empirical
tion for measuring and characterizing gas dispersion in flotation.
models and/or image-analysis methods.
One of the specific objectives is developing a continuous sensor for determining bubble size distribution in flotation cells, which
The image-analysis methods are discontinuous and labour
would allow this variable to be considered as a process variable,
intensive, which makes measuring of bubble size usable only
improving the control of flotation processes available nowadays.
for diagnosis purposes and is not applicable towards process evaluation on a continuous basis.
Methodology
The principle of operation of the continuous sensor for measuring bubble size in this research line is based on the study of
The developments are based on using acoustic measurements
the characteristic frequency that bubbles emit when they are
as a tool for characterizing heterogeneous processes such as
excited by an ultrasound source. The signal recorded is analysed
flotation. Currently, the measurement and/or estimation of bu-
in order to yield bubble size distribution. The measurements and analysis can be done continuously.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
The sensor for measuring bubble size distribution is in a proto-
AMTC
type stage of development. Experiments have shown very good
Innova Chile-CORFO
results when compared to image analysis. The prototype will be
IAL Ltda.
tested under industrial conditions in the near future. Currently, Intellectual Property Rights are being assessed. Subsequently, the
Partners
technology will be commercialized and transferred to the industry.
Sociedad de Inversiones y Servicios IAL Ltda.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RESEARCH GROUP
04 MINING AUTOMATION
The use of digital processing tools in data
persons, failures and measurements of
and images, the development of new
quality, among other tasks. However, the
methods and technologies for pattern
positive effects on the production rise and
recognition in mining related problems
cost reduction of the automation in mining
and the suitable employment of auto-
will be of low impact if the necessary
mation technologies in mining industry,
energy resources are not available. Energy
allow important production increases,
demand in mining and metal processes
cost reductions, increases in operation
continuously increases forcing mining
continuity and improvements in safety
companies to have powerful and efficient
and health labor. They make possible the
electrical networks in order to improve
recognition of patterns, objects, defaults,
the stages of their processes.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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04
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Automation in mining
Group Leader Dr. Manuel Duarte manuel.duarte@amtc.cl
Objective The proper use of automation technologies, instrumentation
Finally, the Group develops and transfers the technology for
and decision making in the mining industry allows obtaining
the energy generation based on clean and renewable energy.
increased productivity, lower costs, increased business continuity,
Efforts are being made to improve the energy efficiency of the
more efficient use of energy, reduction in pollution associated
different stages of the mining process using advanced control
with mining, and improvement of work health and safety. In this
techniques and computational intelligence.
context, the main objective of this Group is to transfer research and development results that have been carried out in recent
The research team comprises eleven scientists and fifteen PhD
years in the fields of automation, robotics, semiconductor and
students. Its main resources comprise laboratories of robotics,
sensor technologies, pattern recognition, image processing and
automation, control systems, computer vision, image proces-
sensor networks and data to the mining productive sector as well
sing, computational intelligence and mechatronics, equipped
as to assist in developing the next generation of mining systems
with latest generation of sensors and systems and with mobile
through the design and construction of environmentally friendly
robots of various kinds.
equipment and intelligent systems. The Group covers the areas of tele-operation and automation
Area of competence
of vehicles and mobile mining equipment, fault detection and predictive maintenance of equipment, the development of
Some of the Group competence areas include conducting applied
technologies for 3D mapping and modeling of tunnels, blocks
research, technology transfer and formation of world class pro-
and mining environments and the development of collaborative
fessionals in the use of automation and robotics technologies
systems in which autonomous machines, tele-operated machines
in mining. Its main areas of expertise are:
and human operators interact efficiently and safely. • Automation, tele-operation and robotizing of mobile mining The Group also develops advanced techniques of pattern
equipment and vehicles. It includes the construction of
recognition and image analysis that allow addressing relevant
mobile robot control libraries and general purpose vehicles,
problems associated with mining, such as, identification of peo-
the development of mobile vehicle simulators, the robotic
ple and objects, fault defection, quality control and automated
of commercial vehicles and, finally, the tele-operation and
monitoring, recognition of rock types through 2D and 3D images
automation of mobile mining equipment.
and determination of particle size, among others.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
• UAV Development (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) technology
systems and the energy recovery from mineral slurry lines,
for mining applications, such as, exploration of geo-resources
in addition to the optimization of electrical mining system.
(minerals, water) magnetic and topographic inspection, 3D
• Design and implementation of fault detection schemes and
modeling of embankments and environmental measurements,
prediction of critical conditions in mining machinery in order
especially in land with complex topography, such as, inside
to facilitate monitoring and reduction of maintenance costs
underground mines and blocks.
through the implementation of predictive strategies and to
• Application of technologies for sensing, data acquisition and
ensure operational continuity in the process.
decision making in real time in underground and open pit mines in order to increase security levels, improve operating
Application
and mine planning processes, track people, equipment and materials, and to validate physical models that result in better mining designs.
The application areas are diverse:
• Development of technologies to ensure productivity under optimal occupational health and safety conditions to avoid loss
• Automation of vehicles and mobile mining machinery.
of continuity in mining operation produced by occupational
• Development of driver assistance systems.
accidents or human failures in decision-making operator tasks.
• Application of UAV technology to exploration, inspection 3D
• Design and implementation of efficient methods for pattern
modeling tasks.
recognition applied to relevant problems in mining, such as,
• Development of real time sensing and decision making
recognition of rock types (lithologies), particle size determi-
systems for underground and open pit mines.
nation, granulometry determination, detection of defects
• Systems for the determination of lithological composition to
in machinery, tools or products, non-contact measurement
improve operating processes.
of parts and materials, counting of people and vehicles,
• Estimation of mineral particle size and bubble size in flo-
monitoring for prevention of workers-machine interaction
tation cells.
accidents, protection of plant restricted access areas, and
• Detection of defects in machinery (fault detection) or pro-
access control using facial biometric or iris identification.
ducts (quality control).
• Development of methods and techniques for the efficient
• Accident prevention by monitoring interaction between
use of energy in mining processes. Among the problems
machines and workers.
addressed is the development of magnetic induction heating
• Personnel security systems using biometric identification and people counting.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
• Heating systems for fluids in bioleaching processes and electro-winning in mining
In the field of technological development, the Group has the following achievements:
• Energy recovery systems from pipelines that transport ore pulp • Optimization of power systems in mining, under disturbances and generated harmonics.
• Automation of a real size vehicle (Volkswagen Tiguan), with instrumentation and tele-operation is completed. Next step is the autonomous driving in open pit mine environments (2014). • Implementation and experimental validation of multi-rotor
Achievements
aerial platforms and of a UAV platform designed and built
The establishment of a world class research team, which has
in Chile.
established itself as the most important in Latin America in the
• Design and construction of a induction heating equipment
field of automation and robotics in mining. Its researchers have
at semi-industrial (500 kW) level, tested on the ground at
published more than 100 research papers in the highly respected
Los Bronzes mine (property of Anglo American Chile). Pa-
worldwide journals in the field of automation, robotics and pattern
tent applications associated with this equipment have been
recognition. The Group has received three international awards
presented in Chile (No. 01053) and internationally (PCT/
for innovation, applied for patents in Chile and USA, registered
CL2011/000058).
software licenses and developed R&D projects in automation
• Development of systems for sensing and decision making for
and robotic fields in Germany, Chile, Colombia and Singapore.
mining of small and medium size, which have been validated
Moreover, the group has established cooperative agreements
in mining operations in Chile and Colombia.
or memoranda of understanding with important national and international institutions to develop R&D initiatives in the areas of robotics and automation. In the field of advanced human capital development, the Group researchers have trained 15 PhDs in engineering, 25 Masters´ in engineering and over 120 civil engineers.
• Development of software for moving face recognition in real time (FACEREC) and for people counting and detection of moving objects (BEHAV), which have been registered in Chile and for which application have been made for patents in the U.S. and in Chile. • Development of a prototype for moisture measurement in bio lixiviation using mobile thermal cameras. • Development of monitoring and prediction of state-of-health and state-of-charge of lithium-ion batteries.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Tele-Operation and Automation of Mining Vehicles and Machineries
Research Line Leader Dr. Javier Ruiz del Solar javier.ruizdelsolar@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The objective of this initiative is to develop technologies related
In the short and medium term, the aim is to gather knowledge
to the automation and tele-operation of mining vehicles and
in the automation and tele-operation of vehicles, which will be
machinery. The proper use of these technologies allows for the
transferred to the mining industry and its suppliers through the
increase in production, the lowering of costs, the improvements
execution of joint projects and the gradual insertion of highly
in the operational continuity, and the enhancements in safety
specialized personnel.
and occupational health. This initiative is vital because automation and tele-operation allow operators to avoid exposures to
The first challenge addressed by the group is the development
hazardous tasks and harsh environments (such as heat, dust,
of an autonomous commercial vehicle (Volkswagen Tiguan).
contaminants, snow, and others).
The vehicle automation has been developed in several stages. These include system integration for its instrumentation, measu-
There have been a number of advances in achieving this objec-
rement, actuation, decision making, computational intelligence,
tive through the automation of a real-size ground vehicle, the
and tele-operation. The ultimate aim is to provide the vehicle
tele-operation of a Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) scaled model, and
with the ability to navigate autonomously in an open pit mine
the transfer of knowledge to CODELCO for supporting projects
environment. The methodology development steps require an
currently in execution in the corporation. Furthermore, at the
increasing level of autonomy for the vehicle, commencing with
end of 2013, the execution of a project to automate the LHD
tele-operation, followed by autonomous obstacle avoidance,
loading process will commence.
autonomous navigation in simple outdoor environments and, finally, autonomous navigation in open pit mine environments.
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Research Line
tele-operated in real outdoor environments and controlled over
for remote control. Additionally, the vehicle is able to build
a range of several hundred meters. In addition, the vehicle is
three-dimensional maps of the environment and detect dirt
capable of generating three-dimensional representations of
roads and obstacles autonomously. These capabilities have
the environment and detecting obstacles and the current track.
been tested in real outdoor environments (the Laguna CarĂŠn
These capabilities and the ability to follow tracks in outdoor
site of Universidad de Chile). The validation of the autonomous
environments will be validated at the end of 2013. Additionally,
obstacle avoidance and track following modules are currently
the development of this project has allowed 3 PhD students and
being performed.
4 MsC students to complete their theses in this area.
A second challenge has been the construction of a scaled te-
Since the end of 2012, there has been joint collaboration with
le-operated LHD (1:5 scale). This platform is being used in the
CODELCO, supporting some of their initiatives in automation and
development of more intuitive and immersive operation-interfaces
tele-operation of equipment. A survey of existing technologies
for vehicle control in mining environments. The technologies
for semi-autonomous LHD and their projections in the short-
being developed include haptic interfaces (with feedback from
and medium- term has been conducted. Based on the results
the physical interaction with the environment), augmented reality
of this project, a proposal for a technology standard is being
(to allow measurements to be superimposed on a real world
generated. This will define the requirements that LHDs should
visualization) and brain-computer interfaces (for a more intuitive
meet for new underground mining structural projects of CODEL-
operation, requiring less training in real operations).
CO. Furthermore, a project to support the Autonomous Mining in Open-Pit Mines initiative is also commencing. This initiative
The third challenge is the development of an autonomous LHD
aims to generate an autonomous/tele-operated production unit
loading system for operating with material of varying granularity,
consisting of 3 heavy machineries for operating in low visibility
which are found at the extraction points of the block caving mining
conditions. This work intends to support CODELCO in all the
operations. The system will be able to continuously estimate
technological evaluations as well as the definition of test trials,
the interaction between the LHD (mainly its bucket) and the
standards and future requirements.
material, adaptively controlling the optimums trajectory of the bucket to maximize the load. Consequently, the operation risk
Finally, the Group is completing the design of a Graduate Di-
is minimized and the machine wear is lowered. To achieve this,
ploma Program aimed at training highly qualified personnel in
the system will use online information of the vehicle state (for
the field of vehicle tele-operation and automation. This diploma
example, hydraulic pressure) and of the material to be loaded
will be offered in 2014.
(for instance, its granularity). The resulting system will be validated first on a scaled LHD and, subsequently, on a full-scale LHD.
Funding Results
AMTC CODELCO
Since 2011, the automation of a commercial vehicle (Volkswagen Tiguan) has been on-going and its instrumentation and
Partner
tele-operation has been completed. The equipment has been
CODELCO
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Currently, the vehicle tele-operation is fully functional, allowing
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Sensing, modeling and decision making systems for mining
Research Line Leader Dr. Paul Vallejos paul.vallejos@amtc.cl
Objective The goal of this initiative is to develop and implement sensing,
Subsequently, sensor networks are deployed using the selected
data acquisition, modeling and real-time decision-making rela-
technologies. The data acquired with these systems are used to
ted technologies for the mining industry. The objective behind
feed the previously designed models. Finally, a decision-making
these systems is to provide more and better information to the
system is implemented.
decision making process (carried out by humans or autonomous systems). Consequently, the safety can be enhanced, the process efficiencies can be improved and the entire operation of the
Results
mine and of the processing plant optimized. In this initiative, consulting projects on sensing systems have been conducted. Furthermore, there have been implementation
Methodology
projects on sensing, data acquisition as well as people and objects monitoring and tracking. Specifically, the following projects
The implementation of sensing, data acquisition, modeling and
have been developed:
real-time decision-making system starts with the study of the relevant variables. They are analyzed to determine their effect on decision-making process, which allows for their prioritization.
• Survey of people and mining machinery detection technologies for El Teniente division of CODELCO.
A survey is then conducted to acquire the available sensing
• Implementation of a data acquisition system to log the con-
technologies for each relevant variable, resulting in a selection
ductivity in flotation cells. Validated in the processing plant
of existing technologies and their suppliers. Consequently, the
of Candelaria mine.
problem, along with the relationships between the measured variables and the expected results of the decision-making system, are modeled.
• Remote monitoring system through GSM networks for Entel PCS. • Wireless data network with IP telephone, people and objects tracking using 2.4Ghz tags and IP video for the MUZO underground mine in Colombia.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Funding
Additionally, the research and development team is currently participating in the following projects and in the preparation of proposals towards:
AMTC CODELCO
• Automation of a continuous mining physical model for
Candelaria mining
CODELCO.
El Soldado mine Muzo mining
• RFID based tracking system of drill holes´ cores as a joint project with Entel. • Consulting in the selection of a proximity detection system
Partners
for the Andina division of CODELCO. • Leaching pad irrigation monitoring system using thermal images,
CODELCO
as a joint project with the Anglo American El Soldado mine.
Entel
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Unmanned Aerial Platforms for Mining
Research Line Leader Ing. Rodrigo Asenjo rodrigo.asenjo@amtc.cl
Objectives This initiative aims to design, build, operate and equip unman-
acquisition and a high degree of autonomy in the processing of
ned aerial vehicles (UAV) with a variety of sensors. Small and
sensor information. This research is multidisciplinary and involves
highly maneuverable platforms, such as multi-copters, have
collaboration with other research groups that include hydraulic
been developed with the objectives of performing photometry,
engineers, geophysicists and geologists.
study of slope stability, mapping, and inspection of tunnels, and gather measurements in hard-to-reach areas, such as,
Multi-copters are flying machines with similar flying characteristics
maintenance warehouses. R&D with unmanned airplanes has
to a helicopter but with more than one rotor. These platforms
been conducted by undertaking measurements of atmospheric
are very stable, maneuverable and easy to control. Their rapid
variables of interest to mining and a variety of other industries.
deployment and high payload capacity, which allows the moun-
These measurements include concentration of air pollutants
ting of different sensors, makes them useful for aerial inspection
(gases and particles), weather conditions, magnetic fields, water
tasks, three-dimensional modeling of cavities, inspection of
resources and surface geology.
large mining machines, slope stability studies, topological and environmental geo-referenced measurements, tunnel coating
Methodology
material wear evaluation and difficult-to-access structures´ inspection. The platforms are operated by radio control and are
AMTC researchers have advanced expertise in sensing, signal
capable of autonomous missions by following GPS waypoints.
processing, computer vision, computational intelligence, and
Currently, under developement is a navigation system that allows
real time decision-making. This has allowed the development
a multi-copter to fly autonomously within tunnels to perform
of UAVs with a high percentage of in-house manufacturing, data
mapping and inspection tasks.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
The flight range of a multi-copter varies between 10 and 25
• Inspection and measurement with high maneuverability in
minutes, which is not always sufficient to perform specified tasks.
reduced space.
Therefore, unmanned airplanes with endurance exceeding one
• Three-dimensional modeling of objects and cavities.
hour have also been used to measure temperature, pressure and humidity for generating atmospheric models and highly
Currently, AMTC has two multi-copters with payload capacities of
accurate predictions of weather patterns.
500g and 800g and with flight autonomy of up to 15 minutes. Test flights at altitudes greater than 3000m have been successfully conducted. In the course of 2013, these platforms are being
Results
used in the inspection and gathering of data from monitoring stations installed in glaciers and in the measurement of slope
Thanks to this initiative, the following skills and competencies
stability using images and range sensors.
have been developed: • Advising on the evaluation and selection of UAV technologies.
FUNDING
• Design and implementation of UAV control systems (commercial platforms or AMTC platforms).
AMTC
• UAV sensing platforms (commercial and private).
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Safety Monitoring System for Workers in Mining with Automatic Learning
Research Line Leader Dr. Claudio PĂŠrez claudio.perez@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The safety of workers in mining operations is particularly im-
The proposed system can monitor specific areas of a mining
portant because of the many hazards that can result in loss of
plant using video cameras and image analysis software. This
life, partial disability or temporal inactivity. A safeguard measure
software is able to recognize objects (e.g., vehicles, equipment)
to improve worker´s safety and significantly reduce the costs
and individuals and detect their presence in specific areas of
associated with accidents is the use of intelligent monitoring
the mining plant. The system will generate alarms when the
using video cameras and image analysis software.
vehicles or people enter prohibited areas or interact in an undesirable manner. More specifically, this research project aims
The objective of this research project is to develop a monitoring
to automate the creation of a database with images to train and
system for the operation within the mining plant to avoid dan-
test the system, automate the parameter selection for the object
gerous interaction between vehicles and workers, thus reducing
classifier, develop an interface to mark forbidden zones and
the risks of accidents, through preventive alarm generation based
alarm scheduling, semi-automatic calibration of the geometric
on video analysis and active machine learning models.
parameters of the scene to estimate object sizes, information integration from multiple cameras and the development of an interface for the alarm information delivery.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
We are developing a multiclass classifier to detect people and
InnovaChile-Corfo
vehicles in real time with high precision. Tools are also being
AMTC
developed for semi-automatic selection of examples from video to
FONDECYT
allow training of the multiclass classifier. In addition, a method to select the training samples is being developed, reducing training
Partners
time while maintaining high classification rates. The proposed system has a large potential to be introduced in copper mining or other mining plants, in Chile or abroad. The system could be
Micomo
adapted to monitor mining tunnels or to other scenarios, thereby
NEC Chile
expanding the potential application market.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
3D Modeling and Mapping of Mines
Research Line Leader Dr. Martin Adams martin.adams@amtc.cl
Objectives
Methodology
The reliable interpretation of sensor data in dusty, rugged terrains,
In the past decade, new technologies from the multi-source,
such as open pit and underground mines, is critical for 3D rock
multi-target research field have provided methods, which allow
surface profile estimation, volume estimation and 3D mapping
sensor data to be processed such that both the number and
in general. The objectives of this research are to address the
location of objects of interest can be estimated in a statistically
tele-operation of a vehicle carrying an array of sensors, inclu-
joint manner. This project is developing these techniques to
ding laser range finders, cameras and a scanning Millimeter
extract terrain surface profile and mine mapping information
Wave (MMW) radar. All of these devices offer unique sensing
from noisy sensor data, while taking into account probabilities
advantages and disadvantages and require careful processing
of detection, false alarms and range/bearing uncertainty. The
to extract useful environmental information and simultaneously
motion characteristics of an all-terrain vehicle, together with the
disregard clutter (returns from objects of non-interest) and noise.
noise characteristics of the radar, laser and vision based sensors,
The processing of such data, and its algorithmic combination
would be modeled in open pit and underground mines. Data
with vehicle motion estimates, is at the core of correctly mo-
fusion for various vehicle positions would then be carried out,
deling surface profiles and the mapping of mines, which are of
using the above framework, for consistent surface profile and
direct relevance to improving the safety and efficiency of mine
mine map estimation.
automation. The ultimate objective is to integrate this research into an autonomous robotic navigation framework in complex mining environments.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
An all-terrain vehicle, the Husky A200 robotic platform, has
AMTC
been equipped with a scanning Millimetre Wave (MMW) radar,
FONDECYT
a scanning laser range finder and a camera system.
Clearpath Robotics
By use of examples showing state of the art feature detectors with
Partner
these sensors, common sensing and detection errors have been highlighted, motivating the need for a re-evaluation of stochastic,
Clearpath Robotics
feature-based robotic navigation and mapping concepts, which jointly consider sensing and detection errors. This project is in its initial phase and future experiments will take place with the robotic system in underground and open pit mines. These experiments will explore the potential for reliable mapping with the sensor data provided by the system.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Rock Lithology Recognition Using Digital Image Analysis
Research Line Leader Dr. Claudio PĂŠrez claudio.perez@amtc.cl
Objective Develop a system to classify lithological composition of rocks in
cation to recognize rocks´ lithology in real time. Computational
real time using digital image processing techniques and com-
intelligence techniques will be employed to improve the pattern
putational intelligence methods. Features are extracted from
recognition methodology. Images from laser triangulation will
digital images of rocks and are used to classify them in different
be used to extract 3D information from the rocks. From the
lithological classes. Using a laser beam, depth information will be
images, several features will be extracted including geometric,
obtained and shape features will be extracted. The information
color, texture and 3D features. These features will be used as
about rock type could be used to optimize the grinding process
inputs to a classifier to determine the lithological class. The
by reducing the energy required. The system could also be used
method incorporates strategies based on information theory
to divert low grade material outside the grinding process.
for learning and evolutionary algorithms to improve the feature selection that provide information to separate different lithological classes. Additionally, a classifier module is being designed
Methodology
to integrate models based on neural networks, support vector machines (SVM ), Adaboost, fuzzy classifiers, decision trees or
The research will be performed using available databases with
their combinations. For determining depth information, a range
images from different lithological classes and a new database
sensor will be employed. Information obtained from the range
will be created with rocks from a mining plant. New algorithms
sensor will be fused with the information from the digital images
will be developed for feature extraction, selection and classifi-
to improve classification rates.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
Tests have been conducted with a database of rocks from a
AMTC
Canadian nickel mine using our new methodological innova-
FONDECYT
tions and we have compared our results with those previously
FONDEF
published on the same database. Significant improvements on the classification rates have been reached. Results have also
Partners
been obtained with a database from a copper mine database. In the coming months, we will acquire a new database using
Micomo
laser triangulation to extract 3D features from the rocks.
NEC Chile
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Process Supervision and Predictive Maintenance
Research Line Leader Dr. Marcos Orchard marcos.orchard@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The development of fault diagnosis and failure prognosis sche-
The first stage of this initiative focuses on the development of
mes for mining equipment has become topic of paramount
data pre-processing tools to generate condition indicators for
importance due to increase in economic impact associated with
mining equipment and to develop sensor fusion modules; the
system reliability and cost effective operation of critical assets.
latter enabling the establishment of the condition indicators
These schemes aim to characterize the evolution of incipient fault
(CI) for the mining equipment. The indicators are essential for
conditions and to estimate (in real-time) the remaining useful
the implementation of virtual sensors for machinery monitoring
life (RUL) of equipment to facilitate their supervision, reduce
and the creation of predictive models (during a second stage),
maintenance costs through predictive strategy implementation,
which would provide basis to establish structures to characterize
and ensure process continuity, based on sources of uncertainty
the uncertainty/risk of the system. The third stage will focus on
associated with the use or the operation of the equipment. The
the integration of the indicators, risk models, probabilistic cha-
special interest areas associated with wear and corrosion in
racterization of future usage profiles, and prognostic algorithms
conveyor belt, crushers, SAG mills, electric motors, gearboxes,
based on sequential Monte Carlo methods to provide tangible
bearings and mobile mining equipment (trucks, LHDs, impact
means to estimate the probability of failure of critical equipment
hammers).
as a function of time. As a result, it will not only be possible to estimate the remaining useful life and quantify mechanical mining equipment availability in real time but also to optimize preventive maintenance plans transforming them into full-predictive maintenance approaches.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The characterization of the set of critical parameters that affect
by the ESD, providing a measure of the remnant energy in the
the performance and life cycle of energy storage devices (ESD),
system. The module allows estimation of the current state of
particularly lithium-ion batteries, is an issue that has special re-
the parameters and prediction of their degradation based on a
levance today. This is motivated primarily by the impact these
characterization of future use profiles.
parameters have on the design of optimization strategies for renewable energy resources as well as the recently experienced
Funding
development of technological goods and electric vehicles in the industry. Thus, in a joint effort with the Lithium Innovation Center at the University of Chile, we have successfully developed
FONDECYT
monitoring and prognostic modules for the state-of-health and
Centro de Innovaci贸n del Litio
state-of-charge of lithium-ion batteries. The first of these two parameters directly affects the number of charge/discharge cycles
Partners
available before degradation and subsequent decision on battery replacement/recycling. The second parameter, the state-of-charge,
Centro de Innovaci贸n del Litio
determines the autonomy level of the system being energized
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Inductive Heating Solutions for Mining
Research Line Leader Dr. Manuel Duarte manuel.duarte@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The objective of this project is to design and build more efficient
The methodology used in the development of the project is
heating systems using magnetic induction solutions with applica-
embedded in the design of a medium frequency source that
tions in bioleaching processes and electro-winning at height. The
generates a magnetic field, a magnetic susceptor cellular to enable
main advantages of the proposed heating system, compared to
heat transfer, the fluid in which the source is immersed, the caloric
others, are: the lack of combustion and hot spots, higher power
energy coming from the magnetic field and an adaptive control
density, reduced maintenance, high controllability (effective
system, with robust temperature control for the entire system.
control system), higher efficiency (independent of height) and
During the project development phase, we studied in depth
no requirement for ponds for passing heating system.
the main aspects of the proposed solution, including: power electronics, hydrometallurgy and bioleaching, thermal transfer,
In the long term, we plan to guide research and development in
automatic control, electromagnetic compatibility, biological im-
the design and manufacturing of induction heating equipment for
pacts and technical and economic requirements.
other applications, including: replacement of boilers and water heaters in the industrial, commercial and residential sector as
To evaluate the proposed solution, inductive system models
well as development of efficient heating and hot water systems
have been developed and their dynamic behavior was simulated.
in buildings and housing.
Subsequently, we constructed a 30 kW laboratory scale prototype of the system, which allowed us to validate the simulations and obtain significant practical conclusions. In the next step, we proceeded to design and build a prototype at a semi-industrial scale of 500 kW, which was evaluated and operated at the plant Los Bronces of Anglo American Chile, with satisfactory results.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The main results obtained during the project are:
We expect, to receive the necessary resources towards longterm testing team of the 500 kW equipment in order to verify
• The design and construction of a susceptor to transfer heat.
the benefits of the increased temperature on the bioleaching
• Design and construction of an inductive heating equipment
process through the field trials.
in the laboratory (30 kW), and second inductive heating equipment at a semi-industrial level (500 kW), which was
Funding
tested at the Los Bronces plant of Anglo American Chile, with efficiencies between 95% and 97%.
AMTC
• Patent application in Chile No. 01053, “Inductive Heating
FONDEF
System Solutions Bioleaching Plants and Electro-Winning in Height”, September 30, 2010.
Partners It is also important to mention the start of international patenting process for the inductive heating equipment during 2011.
Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María IDT Anglo American Chile
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
RESEARCH GROUP
05 Water and Environmental Sustainability
Due to the nature of its activities, mining
that would enable the prevention and/or
has both direct and indirect impact on the
mitigation on the impacts of mining acti-
environment with the greatest potential to
vities on air and water quality, on ecosys-
change the natural and cultural environ-
tems that depend on these elements for
ment, causing environmental and social
survival as well as on the communities that
changes. That is why it is imperative to
coexist with mining, during its operation
develop basic knowledge and technologies
and after closure.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Water and environmental sustainability
05
Research Lines The research lines of this initiative include: • Hydrometeorological risk assessment and management:
Group Leader
includes generic and applied research for risk quantification
Dr. James McPhee
at mining sites due to hydrometeorological events at various
james.mcphee@amtc.cl
scales (storms, droughts, climate change). Likewise, we seek to develop and transfer management tools through forecasting and alert models, combined with decision support systems under uncertainty. Currently, we are undertaking research on specific problems, such as seasonal forecasting of water
Introduction
availability in mountainous regions and debris flow forecasting.
Mining is one of the industries with high potential for modification of the natural and cultural environments. Environmental sustainability in mining requires state-of-the art knowledge of risk factors affecting the mine site and operations as well as its surrounding area. These risk factors include variability and uncertainty of water sources, extreme events, such as flooding, debris flows and snow avalanches that may result in material and personal losses, alteration of biological equilibrium in fragile ecosystems; and problems of engineering design with environmental consequences, such as, energy and water efficiency drops or noxious substance spills.
• Sustainability and environmental impacts: this line of research aims to carry out generic and applied research on control and mitigation of pollutant emissions from mining operations to the atmosphere and aquatic systems. It seeks to characterize the hydrological, physical and chemical mechanisms governing the vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems facing perturbations typically associated with the mining industry. Knowledge of these mechanisms not only would decrease the probability of undesired effects of mining projects but may also be applied towards ecosystem restoration, especially, in arid-climate aquatic systems, such as, shallow lagoons and wetlands. • Water efficiency and industrial waters: this line of research is oriented toward research and development of methodologies
Objectives
for optimal hydraulic transport of mixtures, such as tailings The Group’s mission encompasses development of basic knowle-
and pulps, with the ultimate objective of increasing water
dge and technology for prediction and mitigation of possible
and energy efficiency of these operations.
impacts of mining activities, including operation and closure, on water and air quality, ecosystems and human communities. The
Application
general objective of the Group is to develop predictive models of the behavior of diverse man-made and natural systems, which
The Water and Environmental Sustainability Group currently
determine the degree of environmental sustainability of the
carries out basic and applied research in all its areas of interest.
mining industry. These systems may comprise of hydrological
Among them, the following may be highlighted:
systems as well as biological and physicochemical mechanisms that govern the dynamic of aquatic ecosystems. We are also
• Aquatic biota and water quality in the salt flats of Atacama
concerned with developing optimal engineering design and
(SQM, 2013). Environmental inventory and monitoring, focu-
operational methodologies for improving energy and water use
sing on physical, chemical and biological variables within the
in mining processes.
Soncor, Puilar, Peine and Aguas de Quelana lagoon systems
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ments of liquid-gas and liquid-solid mixtures. It is designed
processing, and analysis are required for the environmental
for non-invasive determination of specific properties, such
assessment of SQM operations within the Atacama Salar.
as, solid concentration and individual phase velocity fields. The non-invasive nature of the equipment enables undis-
• Integral study on water availability and water-related risk
turbed examination of mechanical properties of fluids, such
(CODELCO-El Teniente 2011-2013). This study seeks to
as, tailings and other mining industry mixtures in order to
develop forecasting tools for water resource availability at
characterize realistic phase separation mechanisms. Additio-
different time scales; from seasonal snowmelt to long-term
nally, this equipment is able to obtain relevant properties of
projections under climate change to hourly debris flow fo-
gravitational flow of gas-surrounded granular media, which
recasts during storms. An added value of this project is its
has application in avalanche characterization research. • FONDECYT 1112184 (2012-2015) .
research framework with 100% industry funding.
“Characterizing storage and its impact on hydrologic modeling in high elevation basins on the Andes Cordillera between
Achievements
30ºS and 36ºS”. Principal Investigator: James McPhee • FONDECYT 1130910 (2013-2015).
Among the Group´s achievements are:
“Bedforms in non-Newtonian fluid flows”. Principal Investigator: Aldo Tamburrino.
• FONDEQUIP-Midsize Equipment (2012)
• FONDECYT-INICIACION 11110201 (2012-2014)
“Tomographer with electric capacitance and resistivity-based
solid-liquid mixture flow measurement system”, led by Dr.
“Experimental and numerical study on two-phase flow and segregation in mild sloping conducts”. Principal Investigator:
Christian Ihle. This initiative allows detailed flow measure-
Christian Ihle.
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
are being conducted. Yearly reports from data collection,
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Sustainable Mining: Mitigation studies of impacts on environments and human populations
Research Line Leader Dr. Paula Díaz-Palma paula.diaz@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE The main goal of this initiative is to support sustainable mining activities during the operation phase, particularly trough the
• Generate environmental quality indicators in sites of high ecological value at local and country level.
reduction of impacts on environments and human populations. The way to achieve this goal is the innovation in environmental technologies and procedures in the mining activities at a na-
Methodology
tional level. This proposal consists of a multidisciplinary work, led by the WaThe specific goals of this initiative are to implement state-of-
ter and Environmental Sustainability Group of the AMTC, which
the-art environmental monitoring systems, according to each
focuses its capabilities on environmental chemistry, hydrodinamic,
mining project:
fluid mechanics, natural and industrial hazards and ecology. Thus, the approach consists of addressing each problem from
• Develop models of environmental restoration
different tecnological and scientific perspectives. Additionally,
• Investigate mitigation strategies and pollution remediation
AMTC has access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure in the hydrological, chemical and environmental areas.
techniques in matrices that impact on human population.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results • Biofouling prevention technologies for the use of seawater
Because each ecosystem is unique and unrepeatable, the results
in mining operations.
of this initiative are conceptualized in terms of protocols or as a conceptual methodology of analysis, which explicitly combines
Funding
the scientific and technical dimensions indicated above. With the recent creation of a Sustainable Mining area at AMTC, expected results in this area are as follows:
SQM Mining Company AMTC
• Technical basis for the biomonitoring of Arsenic in aquatic
Partners
ecosystems. • Primary productivity models of microbial mat communities
Civil Engineering Department, FCFM, UCH
of High Andean Saline Lakes.
Department of Chemistry, Universidad Católica del Norte
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Integrated study of hydrological risk and availability of water in mountainous areas
Research Line Leader Dr. James McPhee james.mcphee@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE In Chile, and worldwide, many mining operation sites are located
remotely sensed information, mathematical models and decision
in extreme climatic environments characterized by aridity, low
support systems.
temperatures or the occurrence of extreme hydrometeorological events. These climate extremes (storms, droughts) may affect operations´ continuity and the sustainability of the mining ope-
Methodology
ration as a whole in the long term. The degree of preparation of the mining industry with respect to threats both in terms of
We combine laboratory, field and desk activities. At the laboratory,
water availability and hydrometeorological risk is a consequence
we are currently developing two experiments to understand initia-
of (i) knowledge about the present and current climate, including
tion mechanisms of debris flow. In the field, we are continnuosly
the statistical properties of extreme events; (ii) state-of-the-art
conducting two experiments: for studying snow accumulation
predictive models; and (iii) models and procedures for risk
and melt processes and, second, for observing occurrence of
management under uncertainty, oriented towards minimizing
debris flow events at a 1:1 scalee. We are also developing hy-
current and future expected costs, economic and environmental,
drological models to evaluate the effect of climate change over
associated with the occurrence of this extreme events.
snow accumulation and melt as well as over the properties of river flows. In parallel, we are developing a decision support
This initiative seeks to develop forecasting tools for water
system, which will integrate all available data and information
availability and hydrometeorological risk, combining field data,
(field observations and models) to guide operational decisions of the mine operators.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
The outcomes of our research would include:
AMTC CODELCO-El Teniente
• Detailed analysis of the available hydrometeorological records
CONICYT
and up-to-date assessment of the historical water resource availability.
Partners
• Storm record analysis and diagnostic of key factors influencing storm severity and degree of predictability.
CODELCO-El Teniente
• Computer models linking meteorological conditions and
Dirección General de Aguas
hydrological states most commonly associated with the
CONICYT
occurrence of debris flow.
Department of Civil Engineering, FCFM, UCH
• Two experimental designs and the development of special
Department of Geophysics, FCFM, UCH
sensors for shear stress measurement under debris flow conditions, oriented towards an understanding of physical processes. • Systematic system for snow depth and density monitoring.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Efficient use of water and energy in ore concentrate and tailings hydraulic transport systems
Research Line Leader Dr. Christian Ihle christian.Ihle@amtc.cl
Objective
Methodology
The purpose of this initiative is to study new operational and
In the development of this research line, a combined approach
infrastructure option for the use of water and energy in ore
is adopted including the state-of-the-art in energy modeling of
concentrate and tailing transport. For this purpose, the main
hydraulic solids transport systems integrating topography effects,
challenge is to obtain rational criteria for the combined use of
mixing and rheology. In particular, the hydrodynamic segregation
water and energy. The ultimate intent of this project is to con-
of particles and the formation of coherent structures, such as,
tribute to the optimization of environmental metrics related to
dunes, are part of the scope of the research. Furthermore,the
ore and tailings transport through complex topographies while
definition of a cost function that combines energy consumption
meeting production goals.
metrics and water environmental indicators, such as, embodied energy and carbon footprint, is considered as central in this research. From basic definitions and restrictions, an optimization
The specific objectives encompass:
problem is defined and then solved for the process control • The development of numerical and conceptual algorithms
variables or for those that govern the definition of transport infrastructure. In addition, an important aspect of this initiative is
for efficient use of water and energy • The identification of optimal infrastructure, both in economic
to identify practical operational limits in critical operations, such as prolonged detention of concentrate or slurry pipelines without
and environmental terms • The development of the cutting edge research to aid the operational implementation of the new options
flushing with water, thus minimizing water use. In this context, the Group has obtained funding for generic research of various aspects of the physical characteristics of hyper-concentrated suspensions through two projects: FONDECYT and FONDEQUIP. The focus of this work is both numerical and experimental and has an interdisciplinary character.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results The results obtained to-date indicate, in particular cases, a
pplemented by including the pipeline path itself in the proposed
tendency towards optimal operational scenarios with higher
optimization scheme, thus including the effect of the length
pumping concentrations, higher flows and smaller utilization
and height difference between high and low points of the pipe
fractions than typical to operational conditions. Furthermore, it
as well as the sequence of the latter. In addition, we expect
has been found that fluctuations of mineralogical characteristics
to generate basic knowledge of the problem, particularly with
and uncertainties in process conditions have a significant impact
regard to physical segregation and sedimentation of particles
on the optimum operating parameters. Cost scenarios of water,
when the pumping stops.
energy, and raw materials may suggest different infrastructure than generally used. In particular, this may affect the choice of
Funding
key supplies, such as, pipelines and pumping systems as well as the definition of different operational strategies to, in particular, plan system start-up after prolonged shutdowns. Similarly, the
FONDECYT projects 1110201 and 1130910
analysis of the design and operation under uncertainty of some
FONDEQUIP
input variables provides novel outcomes and solutions, which result in substantial cost differences in design and operation, compared to values obtained using traditional approaches. In terms of immediate applications, the obtained data is being su-
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Impact of Climate Change on Glacier Mass Balance in Central Chile
Research Line Leader Dr. James McPhee james.mcphee@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE Recent studies in moderately glaciarized watersheds show
The general goal of this initiative is to estimate future changes in
that, in dry years, the contribution from ice-melt to stream flow
ice volume and melt through the development of new nume-
can exceed 50%. The central region of Chile holds over 500
rical models, applicable to the special conditions of the Andes
glaciers of different size, which can be classified as white, rock
of central Chile. Climate variability driven by phenomena such
or debris-covered glaciers. Little is known about the hydrologic
as El Ni単o/la Ni単a (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillaiton (PDO)
role of the two latter classes. Historical records show a variable
and drought patterns is of special relevance, together with other
picture of glacier mass balance: the Echaurren Norte glacier has
variables related to climate change. In order to validate the newly
experienced a net increase in ice volume in the last 30 years;
developed models, we have implemented a strategy for glacier
nevertheless, the majority of existing glaciers have experienced
and weather monitoring and river flow measurements. Additio-
retreats in the same period. In central Chile, therefore, it is
nally, we are developing new techniques for hydro-glaciological
extremely relevant to acquire more information and undertake
understanding, based on natural tracers, such as, water chemistry
predictions regarding the future evolution of glaciers and their
and isotopic nature.
hydrological role under scenarios of accelerated climate change. This initiative seeks to develop conceptual and numerical models
Methodology
of glacier mass balance encompassing realistic representations of relevant processes, such as, snow accumulation, redistribution,
The methodology covers laboratory, field and desk studies. The
and others. Current lack of basic information motivates the need
methods include data fusion and the development of numerical
for field campaigns, which collect data on various variables that
mass and energy balance models. Intense field campaigns will
control ice melt.
gather glaciological, data, such as, accumulation and ablation rates, variations in glacier topography and weather observations that would enable estimation of effects of solar radiation, air
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Funding
temperature and other sources of ice melt. Finally, satellite information will allow monitoring, on a near-continuous basis, the areal extent of ice masses in order to validate model predictions.
CONICYT Dirección General de Aguas Universidad de Chile
Results The outcomes of this inititive will include:
Partners
• Novel hydro-glaciological databases of high temporal and
Dirección General de Aguas – MOP
spatial resolution, which will allow for increased knowledge
CONICYT
about the behavior of arid-climate glaciers
ETH - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Zonas Aridas (CEAZA)
• New glacier mass balance models, specifically developed for
University of California, Los Angeles
semi-arid climates and with the ability to model both white and debris-covered glaciers • New methods for analyzing river flow data discriminating the relative contribution of different sources, such as glacier and snow melt, and subsurface flow, based on water chemistry and isotopic signature
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Updating of the snow-measuring national network and seasonal snowmelt forecasts
Research Line Leader Dr. James McPhee james.mcphee@amtc.cl
OBJECTIVE Annually, the Dirección General de Aguas (DGA), the Chilean
characterization of available water resources in mountainous
Water Bureau issues seasonal streamflow forecasts for the
areas and a new methodology for stream flow forecasts.
September through March period, for major basins between the Copiapó and Ñuble Rivers. Water managers use this forecast to assess water resource availability for diverse uses, such
Methodology
as, irrigation, drinking water supply, and others. This forecast is built based on wintertime precipitation data from a very limited
Periodically, we monitor pilot basins in different climatic regions
network of observational stations. Current satellite technology
along the Andes Cordillera to characterize the meteorological
allows adding valuable snow cover information that could be
and hydrological processes that determine snow accumulation
used to improve these forecasts.
patterns in space and time. Specifically, we monitor snow depth and relate this variable to terrain characteristics. Then, numerical
This initiative seeks to incorporate these new sources of infor-
models of snow water equivalent distribution can be derived based
mation, better field data and new methods in order to improve
on this data, taking into account processes, such as, precipitation
current forecasts by DGA.
spatial variability, differential wintertime melt due to slope angle relative to the sun, wind transport and gravitational redistribution.
The general objective of this study includes proposing, imple-
Better models of snow-water equivalent distribution will allow
menting and evaluating a new measurement system for accurate
better estimates of watershed-scale snow accumulation at the beginning of the melt season and better forecasts of river flow.
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Research Line Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Results
Funding
The outcomes of this initiative will include:
AMTC Dirección General de Aguas
• Snow accumulation patterns: it is desired to obtain predictive
FONDECYT
models of snow accumulation based on terrain characteristics,
International Relations Division, CONICYT
such as, elevation, slope, and wind and radiation exposure. • Observation network improvement: a proposal of new lo-
Partners
cations and instruments will be issued to DGA, in order to improve coverage and data quality.
Dirección General de Aguas
• New methods for snow melt stream flow forecasts: based
CONICYT
on newly available information at the site and regional scales
ETH - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
(satellite based).
Department of Civil Engineering, FCFM, UCH Department of Geophysics, FCFM, UCH
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ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
AMTC budget 2009 – 2013
AMTC budget 2009 – 2013
Funds (Chilean pesos)
Baseline (CONICYT)
$
4,100,000,000
Industry
$
2,636,495,242
Basic Research
$
1,686,326,000
Precompetitive R& D
$
1,459,616,499
International Cooperation
$
86,997,700
University of Chile
$
380,000,000
TOTAL
$
10,349,435,441
CONICYT
$
400,000,000
University of Chile
$
400,000,000
TOTAL
$
800,000,000
Infrastructure funding sources
CONICYT: National Commission for Scientific & Technological Research, Associative Research Program
2009-2013 budget by funding source 39.6%
25.5%
16.3%
14.1%
3.7%
- 102 -
University of Chile
International Cooperation
Precompetitive R&D
Basic Research
Industry
Baseline
0.8%
Outcomes in 2011 ISI Publications
38
Conferences and other Publications
63
Masters´ Graduates
10
PhD Graduates
5
Postdoctoral Fellows
8
AMTC/Industry Joint Projects
38
FONDECYT* Projects
15
FONDEF**- INNOVA*** Projects
7
Patent Applications
0
Software Registrations
2
Outcomes in 2012 ISI Publications
47
Conferences and other Publications
81
Masters´ Graduates
15
PhD Graduates
5
Postdoctoral Fellows
11
AMTC/Industry Joint Projects
39
FONDECYT* Projects
20
FONDEF**-INNOVA*** Projects
9
Patent Applications
1
Software Registrations
3
* FONDECYT: National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development ** FONDEF: Scientific and Technological Development Support Fund (Both Funds managed by the Chilean National Commission for Scientific & Technological Research) *** INNOVA: Funding Instrument of the Chilean Economic Development Agency
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Outcomes Resultados2011 -2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
PUBLICATIONS 2012
SELECTED ISI Journal Publications 1. Castro, R; Vargas, R; de la Huerta F., ”How to determine drawpoint spacing at Panel Caving: case study at El Teniente Mine”, Journal of the South Afr. Inst Min and Metall, Vol. 112, 871-876, Octubre 2012 2. Chen, C., Brown, D., Sconyers, C., Zhang, B., Vachtsevanos, G., and Orchard, M., “An integrated architecture for fault diagnosis and failure prognosis of complex engineering systems”, Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 39, Issue 10, 9031-9040, Agosto 2012 3. Chen, C., Vachtsevanos, G., Orchard, M. “Machine Remaining Useful Life Prediction: an Integrated Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy and High-Order Particle Filtering Approach”, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing”, Vol. 28, 597-607, Abril 2012 4. Contreras-Reyes, E .; Jara, J .; Grevemeyer, I .; Ruiz, S .; Carrizo, D ., “Abrupt change in the dip of the subducting plate beneath north Chile”, Nature Geoscience, Vol. 5, 342345, Mayo 2012 5. Costa, A., M. Vilaragut, J.C. Travieso-Torres, M.A. Duarte-Mermoud, J. Muñoz and I. Yznaga, “MATLAB based simulation toolbox for the study and design of induction motor FOC speed drives”, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, Vol. 20(2), 295-312, Febrero 2012 6. Cuba, M., Leuangthong, O., Ortiz, J. M., “Detecting and quantifying sources of non-stationarity via experimental semivariogram modeling”, Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, Vol. 26, 247-260, 2012 7. Cuba, M., Leuangthong, O., Ortiz, J. M., “Transferring Sampling Errors into Geostatistical Modeling”, Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol. 112, 971-983, 2012 8. Delpiano, J., Jara, J., Scheer, J., Ramirez, O., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., Hartel, S., “Performance of optical flow techniques for motion analysis of fluorescent point signals in confocal microscopy”, Machine Vision and Applications, Vol. 23, No. 4, 675-689, Julio 2012 9. Duarte-Mermoud, M., J.C. Travieso-Torres, I.S. Pelissier and H.A. González, “Induction motor control based on adaptive passivity”, Asian Journal of Control, Vol.14(1), 67-84,Enero 2012 10. Emery, X. Co-simulating total and soluble copper grades in an oxide ore deposit, Mathematical Geosciences, Vol. 44(1), 27-46, 2012
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11. Emery, X., Ortiz, J. M., “Enhanced coregionalization analysis for simulating vector Gaussian random fields”, Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 42, 126-135, 2012 12. Emery, X., Peláez, M., “Reducing the number of orthogonal factors in linear coregionalization modeling”, Computers & Geosciences, Vol. 46, 149-156, 2012 13. Emery, X., Willy Kracht, Álvaro Egaña, Felipe Garrido, “Using Two-Point Set Statistics to Estimate the Diameter Distribution in Boolean Models with Circular Grains”, Mathematical Geosciences, Vol. 44, 805-822, Octubre 2012 14. Hermosilla, G., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., Verschae, R., and Correa, M., “A Comparative Study of Thermal Face Recognition Methods in Unconstrained Environments”, Pattern Recognition, Vol. 45, No. 7, 2445-2459, Julio 2012 15. Ihle, C.F. and A. Tamburrino, “Uncertainties in key transport variables in homogeneous slurry flows in pipelines”, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 32, 54-59, Mayo 2012 16. Ihle, C.F. and A. Tamburrino, “Variables affecting energy efficiency in turbulent ore concentrate pipeline transport”, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 39, 62-70, Diciembre 2012 17. Loncomilla, P., and Ruiz-del-Solar, J., “Visual SLAM based on Rigid-Body 3D landmarks”, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems, Vol. 66, No. 1-2, 125-149, Julio 2012 18. Mendoza, P., James McPhee, and Ximena Vargas, “Uncertainty in flood forecasting: A distributed modeling approach in a sparse data catchment”, Water Resources Research (2012), Vol. 48,9, Octubre 2012 19. Montoya, C., Emery, X., Rubio, E., Wiertz, J. Multivariate resources modelling for assessing uncertainty in mine design and mine planning, Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol. 112, 353-363, 2012 20. Montserrat, S., A. Tamburrino, O. Roche and Y. Niño, “Pore fluid pressure diffusion in defluidizing granular columns”, Journal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth, Vol. 117, 1-15, Junio 2012 21. Muñoz, M., Charrier, R., Fanning, M. y Maksaev, V., “ Zircon trace element and O-Hf isotope analyses of mineralized intrusions from El Teniente deposit, Chilean Andes: constraints on the source and magmatic evolution of Porphyry Cu-Mo related magmas”, Journal of Petrology, Vol.53, 1091-1122, Junio 2012
6. Carrasco, F., Astudillo, F., Lacassie, J.P., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., “Geoquímica y espectrometría de sedimentos activos en la cuenca del Limarí: Análisis mediante redes neuronales”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Chile, Agosto 2012
23. Ortiz, J. M., Magri, E. J., Líbano, R., “Improving financial returns from mining through geostatistical simulation and the optimized advance drilling grid at El Tesoro Copper Mine”, Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol. 112, 15-22, 2012
7. Carrizo, D., Eduardo Contreras, J. Jara, I Meyer, S. Ruiz, “Abrupt change in the dip of the subducting plate governs megathrust seismicity in north Chile”,XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
24. Rosales, M., Niño, Y., and Valencia, A., “On the application of the Fourier series solution to the hydromagnetic buoyant two-dimensional laminar vertical jet”, Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2012, 14 pages, Octubre 2012
8. Carrizo, D., W. Silva, Iván Vela, Diana Comte, “Búsqueda del control estructural en la evolución de la permeabilidad del Yacimiento Río Blanco - Los Bronces”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
25. Ruiz-del-Solar, J., and Weitzenfeled, A., “Advances in Robotics in Latin America”, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems, Vol. 66, No.1-2, 1-2, Julio 2012
9. Castillo, P., Xavier Emery, Brian Townley, Alvaro Puig, “Aplicación de kriging factorial en exploración geoquímica de zonas cubiertas muestreadas con colectores pasivos”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
26. Tapia, J .; Audry, S .; Townley, B .; Duprey, JL ., “Geochemical background, baseline and origin of contaminants from sediments in the mining-impacted Altiplano and Eastern Cordillera of Oruro, Bolivia”, Geochemistry Exploration Environment Analysis, Vol. 12, Febrero 2012.
10. Castro, R.; Orellana, L; Pineda, M, “Physical modelling as an engineering tool for mining: theory and practice”, 6th Mass Mining and Exhibition Conference Massmin 2012, Proceedings, Canada, Junio 2012 11. Cortés, J., Marcelo Farías, Diana Comte, Reynaldo Charrier, “Estructuras y depósitos neógenos de la región de Cariquima (Altiplano Chileno): Implicancias en el origen de la Cordillera Occidental”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
Conference Papers and Other Publications 1. Alarcón M., Edgardo Madariaga, Nelson Morales, Enrique Rubio, “Integrating constructability of a project into the optimization of the production planning and scheduling”, MASSMIN 2012, Proceedings, Sudbury, Canada, Junio 2012
12. Diaz G., Parra A.J., Egaña A.F., Ortiz J.M., “Filter clustering for segmentation based on texture and color”, ALGES Lab Research Annual Report, 13p, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Marzo 2012
2. Baeza, D., Sepúlveda, E., Ortiz, J. M., “Parallelization of simulation algorithm with GPU for constructing high resolution models of Earth Sciences variables”, Ninth Conference on Geostatistics for Environmental Applications, geoENV2012, Proceedings, Valencia, Spain, Octubre 2012
13. Egaña, A., Julián M. Ortiz, “Metodologías computacionales de restitución geométrica de cuerpos geológicos para evaluación de yacimientos”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
3. Boetsch, M., Brian Townley, “Control estructural asociado a las fases de mineralización en el sector Laguna Verde del distrito argento-aurífero Cerro Bayo, XI Región, Chile”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
14. Fuenzalida, M; Castro, R., “How does caved rock mass behave under confinement?”, 6th International Seminar on Deep and High Stress mining, Proceedings, Australia, Abril 2012
4. Caballero, E., Emery, X. “Estimación multivariable de recursos recuperables: caso de un depósito de lateritas niquelíferas”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
15. Gálvez, I., Emery, X., “Modelamiento geoestadístico de mineralogías de sulfuros en un yacimiento de cobre”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
5. Caballero, E., Emery, X., “Multivariate estimation of recoverable resources in a lateritic nickel deposit”, 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012
16. Gálvez, I., Emery, X., “Geostatistical modeling of the sulphide mineralogy in a copper ore deposit“, 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
22. Ohlanders, N. and Rodriguez, M and McPhee, J., “Stable water isotope variation in a Central Andean watershed dominated by glacier-and snowmelt”, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss, Vol. 9, 12227—12269, Octubre 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
17. Garrido, F., Egaña A.F., Kracht, W., “baBool: Implementación sw método booleano para caracterización de tamaños de burbujas”, ALGES Lab Research Annual Report, 24p, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Marzo 2012 18. Ihle, C., Tamburrino, A. and Niño, Y., “Implications of shortterm hydrodynamic effects in slurry rheological characterization”, Workshop on Environmental and Extreme Multiphase Flows, Proceedings, Gainesville, USA, Octubre 2012 19. Ihle, C.F., Tamburrino, A., Trewhela, T., Garcés, A., Herrera, P., “Modelación de escurrimiento de pulpas sobre topografías complejas: una herramienta para la toma de decisiones”, IX Taller de Concentraductos, Minero- ductos y Relaveductos, Fluimin 2012, Proceedings, Viña del Mar, Chile, Septiembre 2012 20. Ihle, C.F., Tamburrino, A., Vivero, P., “Mecanismos de variabilidad en medición de curvas de flujo de mezclas sólido-líquidas sedimentables a altas concentraciones”, XXV Congreso Latinoamericano de Hidráulica, Proceedings, San José, Costa Rica, Septiembre 2012 21. Jelvez, E., Nelson Morales, Juan Peypouquet and Patricio Reyes Real, “Options in open pit mine planning under geological uncertainty”, MININ 2012, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012 22. Kracht, W., Acuña, C., Orozco, Y., “Rol de los espumantes en la selectividad del proceso de flotación de minerales”, Conamet/Sam 2012, 12° Congreso Binacional de Metalurgia y Materiales, Proceedings, Valparaiso, Chile, Diciembre 2012 23. Lacassie, J.P., Baeza, L., Astudillo, F., Figueroa, M., Castillo, P., Muñoz, N., Ramírez, C., Espinoza, F., Miralles, C., Carrasco, F., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., “Mapa geoquímico de la Hoja Iquique: definición e interpretación de patrones geoquímicos a escala regional”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Chile, Agosto 2012 24. Lacassie, J.P., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., “Regional geochemical patterns in the Atacama desert”, Annual Int. Conf. on Geological and Earth Science - GEOS 2012,, Proceedings, Singapore, Diciembre 2012 25. Lacassie, J.P., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., “Agrupamiento de datos geoquímicos utilizando hormigas artificiales”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Chile, Agosto 2012 26. Lange, W., Emery, X., “Joint simulation of total and soluble copper grades in an oxide copper deposit”, 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012 27. McPhee, J., A. Ayala and X. Vargas, “A New Dataset for Understanding and Modeling Snow Distribution in the Semi-arid Andes Cordillera”, AGU Fall Meeting, Proceedings, San Francisco, CA, Diciembre 2012
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28. Orchard, M., Olivares, B., Cerda, M. and Silva, J., “Anomaly Detection Based on Information-Theoretic Measures and Particle Filtering Algorithms”, Annual Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society 2012, Proceedings, Minneapolis, MN, USA, Septiembre 2012 29. Parra, A., Ortiz, J.M., “Parallel implementation of multiple-point simulation based on texture synthesis”, Ninth International Geostatistics Congress, Proceedings, Oslo, Norway, Octubre 2012 30. Peredo, O., Ortiz, J.M., “Multiple-point geostatistical simulation based on genetic algorithms implemented in a shared-memory supercomputer”, Ninth International Geostatistics Congress, Proceedings, Oslo, Norway, Octubre 2012 31. Perez, C., D. Schulz, P. Vera, C. Navarro, L. Castillo and J. Saravia, “Rock Lithological Classification based on Gabor Filters and Support Vector Machine”, XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, Proceedings, New Delhi, India, Septiembre 2012 32. Perez, C., J. Saravia, C. Navarro, L. Castillo, D. Schulz, C. Aravena, “Lithological classification based on Gabor texture analysis”, International Symposium on Optomechatronic Technologies, Proceedings, Paris, France, Octubre 2012 33. Perez, C., Navarro, P. Vera, D. Schulz, L. Castillo and J. Saravia, “Rock Grindability Estimation based on the Quaternion Color Extraction Model”, XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, Proceedings, New Delhi, India, Septiembre 2012 34. Reyes, M., Morales, N., Emery, X., “Final Pit: simulated annealing approach with floating cones”, 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012 35. Rocher, W., Enrique Rubio, Nelson Morales, “Optimal sequencing and scheduling for a block/panel cave mining”, MASSMIN 2012, Proceedings, Sudbury, Canada, Junio 2012 36. Rudloff, B., and Nelson Morales, “Underground development sequencer and schedule applied to a panel caving mine”, MININ 2012, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012 37. Salinas, I., Emery, X., “Estimación de recursos en un yacimiento de hierro”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012 38. Salinas, I., Emery, X., “An application of cokriging to estimate the mineral resources in an iron ore deposit”, 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Junio 2012 39. Seguel, J., Arriagada, C. Becerra, F. Martínez, D. Carrizo, R. Floody, “Estilos estructurales en el Yacimiento El Teniente”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
3. McPhee, J., de la Fuente, A., Herrera, P., Niño, Y., Olivares, M., Sancha, A.M., Tamburrino, A. y Vargas, X., Jiménez y Galizia Tundisi (editores), “Diagnóstico del agua en las Américas”, “El sector del agua en Chile: su estado y sus retos”, Pag.169-193, “Red Interamericana de Academias de Ciencias. Foro Consultivo Científico y Tecnológico, 2012
41. Tamburrino, A., Carrillo, D., Ihle, C.F., “Incipient motion of non-cohesive particles in yield stress fluid flows”, International conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, River Flow 2012, Proceedings, San José, Costa Rica, Septiembre 2012
4. Orchard, M., Vachtsevanos, G., and Goebel, K., Srivastava, A. and Han, J.(editores), “Machine Learning and Knowledge Discovery for Engineering Systems Health Management”, “A Combined Model-Based and Data-Driven Prognostic Approach for Aircraft System Life Management”, Pag. 363-394, CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group/United States, Enero 2012
42. Tapia, J., Brian Townley, “Estudio del registro histórico del contenido de metales y metaloides en sedimentos lacustres del Altiplano de Bolivia”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
5. Vosin Leandro, Dr. Yen-Hsun Su (editor), “Noble Metals”,”Distribution of Precious Metals During the Reducing Pyrometallurgical Processes of Complex Copper Materials”, Pag. 25, Intech, Febrero 2012
43. Tomlinson, A.; Blanco, N.; García, M.; Baeza, L.; Alcota, H.; Ladino, M.; Pérez de Arce, C.; Fanning, M.; Martin, M., “Permian exhumation of metamorphic complexes in the Calama area: Evidence for flat-slab subduction in northern Chile during the San Rafael tectonic phase and origin of the Central Andean Gravity High”, XIII Congreso Geológico Chileno, Proceedings, Antofagasta, Chile, Agosto 2012
BOOKS
44. Townley, B., “The Mining Industry and Human Resource in Chile: The Role of Universities and Link with Industry”, Exploration Managers Conference 2012 – AMIRA, Proceedings, Perth, Australia, Marzo 2012
1. Adams, M. , Mullane, J. , Jose, E., B.-N. Vo, Robotic Navigation and Mapping with Radar, Pages 346, Artech House, Boston , London, USA, UK, Julio 2012 2. Salah, A.A., Ruiz-del-Solar, J., Mericli, C., Oudeyer, P.-Y.∫, Human Behavior Understanding (Third Workshop, HBU 2012, in IROS 2012), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 7559, pages 175, Springer, 2012
45. Vallejos, J; Estay, R.; Zepeda, R.; Jorquera, P., “A methodology for evaluating the performance of seismic indicators at El Teniente Mine, Codelco Chile”, 6th Mass Mining and Exhibition Conference Massmin 2012, Proceedings, Canada, Junio 2012 46. Voisin, L., Fabian Mansilla, “Modeling of the Reduction Stage During the Continuous Refining of Copper in a Packed Bed Reactor”, COMSOL Conference 2012, Proceedings, Boston, USA, Octubre 2012
BOOK CHAPTERS 1. Fuenzalida, M.A, Castro, R.L., Yves Potvin (editor), “Proceedings of the Sixth International Seminar on Deep and High Stress Mining”, “Caving Methods”, Pag.431-441, ACG, Perth, Australia, Marzo 2012 2. Duarte-Mermoud, M.A. and Travieso-Torres, J.C. , Rui Esteves Araujo (editores), “Induction Motors: Modelling and Control”, “Chapter 12, Advanced control techniques for induction motors”, Pag. 295-324, Intech, Rijeka, Croatia. ISBN 978-953-51-0843-6, Junio 2012
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40. Soto F., Sepúlveda E., Egaña A.F., Ortiz J.M., “CuSco: software for Cut and Cus modeling and spatial bias removal”, ALGES Lab Research Annual Report, 13p, Proceedings, Santiago, Chile, Marzo 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
PROJECTS 2012/13
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE INDUSTRY AMINPRO Principal Researcher: Willy Kracht Funding Source: AMINPRO Start Date: 11-01-2011 I End Date: 12-31-2012
Desarrollo de herramientas de diseño para la mina subterránea El Peñón Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: Yamana Gold Start Date: 09-01-2012 I End Date: 12-18-2014 Estudio de extracción de Sc Principal Researcher: Willy Kracht Funding Source: Minería Imán Start Date: 06-01-2011 I End Date: 08-31-2012
Análisis de tecnologías LHD semi-autónomas Principal Researcher: Javier Ruiz del Solar Funding Source: CODELCO Start Date: 01-07-2013 I End Date: 08-27-2013 Aplicación de la Minería Autómata a la Operación a Cielo Abierto Principal Researcher: Javier Ruiz del Solar Funding Source: CODELCO Start Date: 07-11-2013 I End Date: 03-15-2014 Asesoría para la adquisición de sistemas de detección de personas Principal Researcher: Raúl Castro Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 05-01-2012 I End Date: 01-06-2012 Automatización de Minería Continua Principal Researcher: Raúl Castro Funding Source: CODELCO-VP Proyectos Start Date: 07-01-2012 I End Date: 01-07-2013
Estudio Extracción de Tierras Raras Principal Researcher: Willy Kracht Funding Source: Minería Activa Start Date: 05-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2012 Estudio de Disponibilidad de Recursos Hídricos y Evaluación de Riesgo Hídrico Principal Researcher: James McPhee Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 12-31-2012 Estudio de Sismicidad Cortical en Sector Paniri y su Relación con Fallas Activas Principal Researcher: Diana Comte Funding Source: EASA Start Date: 08-24-2012 I End Date: 01-04-2013 Estudio de Sismicidad Inducida (indicadores sísmicos – sismicidad inducida/tronadura) Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 06-01-2012 I End Date: 02-28-2013
Calcinas Chuquicamata Principal Researcher: Leandro Voisin Funding Source: CODELCO Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 01-01-2013 CAM-G: Modelamiento de geología asistida por computador Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: BHP Billiton Start Date: 12-30-2011 I End Date: 01-04-2015
Evaluación de Factibilidad Técnica para Utilizar el Cráter de Subsidencia en la Construcción de Botaderos Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 01-31-2012
Comparisons of rebop to large panel caving operations Principal Researcher: Raúl Castro Funding Source: MMT Queensland Start Date: 04-01-2011 I End Date: 01-06-2012
Evaluación Plataforma Seguimiento Proyectos Exploración Principal Researcher: Marcelo García Funding Source: REDCO Start Date: 03-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2012
CuSco: software de modelamiento conjunto de CuT/CuS en casos de muestreo preferencial Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: Minera el Tesoro Start Date: 12-01-2011 I End Date: 03-31-2012
Geostat Cosim grades and rock types for iron resource evaluation Principal Researcher: Xavier Emery Funding Source: Minera Vale Start Date: 01-04-2013 I End Date: 01-04-2015
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TeXIM: Análisis de imágenes para caracterización de mineral Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: BHP Billiton Start Date: 12-30-2011 I End Date: 01-04-2015
Mapeo Geológico Geotécnico y Estructural de Superficie del Sector Ventanas de Aducción Cajón Lo Aguirre Chico, Región del Maule Principal Researcher: Daniel Carrizo Funding Source: SRK Consulting Chile Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 04-30-2012
Tolhuaca Geothermal Field Principal Researcher: Diana Comte Funding Source: Geo Global SA Start Date: 12-01-2011 I End Date: 03-30-2012 Tomografía BHP Principal Researcher: Diana Comte Funding Source: BHP Billiton Start Date: 03-01-2012 I End Date: 04-30-2012
Modelamiento Numérico del Comportamiento Dinámico del Refuerzo de Macizo Rocoso ante Eventos Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 09-01-2012 I End Date: 03-31-2013
U-Fo: restitución geométrica de cuerpos geológicos para modelamiento de recursos Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: Yamana Gold Start Date: 05-01-2011 I End Date: 01-31-2012
Modelo Físico Cajones Disipadores Principal Researcher: Christian Ihle Funding Source: AUSENCO Start Date: 01-01-2013 I End Date: 12-01-2013
U-Fo: Restitución Geométrica de Cuerpos Geológicos para Modelamiento de Recursos, parte 2 Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: Yamana Gold Start Date: 03-05-2012 I End Date: 05-03-2014
Modelamiento y Mapeo 3D de Minas Principal Researcher: Martin Adams Funding Source: Clearpath Robotics Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2013 MQAlt: Modelamiento multivariable cuantitativo de alteración Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: BHP Billiton Start Date: 12-30-2011 I End Date: 01-04-2015
APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS Conversión continua Principal Researcher: Leandro Voisin Funding Source: ENAMI Start Date: 10-01-2012 I End Date: 10-31-2013
Numerical Modelling of Rock masses and fragmentation Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: CODELCO-Teniente Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 03-30-2013
Desarrollo de herramientas de diseño para minería subterránea selectiva en chile Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: INNOVA 11IDL2-10630 Start Date: 12-15-2011 I End Date: 12-30-2014
Pampa Norte Principal Researcher: Diana Comte Funding Source: BHP Billiton Start Date: 05-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2012
Desarrollo de un sensor continuo de tamaño de burbujas para el proceso de flotación de minerales Principal Researcher: Willy Kracht Funding Source: INNOVA 11IDL2-10687 Start Date: 12-15-2011 I End Date: 12-30-2013
Recuperación de Fósforo desde Descartes de Minerales de Fosfato Mediante Biolixiviación con Microorganismos Autótrofos Principal Researcher: Tomás Vargas Funding Source: Minera Vale Start Date: 05-01-2012 I End Date: 01-04-2014
Enfoque probabilístico basado en modelos para la estimación en línea del estado de salud/carga y caracterización del perfil de uso de baterías de ion-litio Principal Researcher: Marcos Orchard Funding Source: INNOVA 11IDL1-10409 Start Date: 12-15-2011 I End Date: 06-30-2012
Servicio de mapeo estructural de superficie, tomografía sísmica y análisis complementario para el desarrollo del modelo estructural del distrito Los Bronces Principal Researcher: Daniel Carrizo Funding Source AngloAmerican Sur Start Date: 01-28-2011 I End Date: 01-30-2012
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Levantamiento Geológico Geotérmico Volcán Tacora Principal Researcher: Marcelo García Funding Source: Serviland Minergy ECM Start Date: 09-01-2012 I End Date: 10-30-2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
BASIC RESEARCH PROJECTS FUNDED BY GOVERNMENT
Levantamiento de cartas Cuya y Miñi-miñi Principal Researcher: Marcelo García Funding Source: SERNAGEOMIN Start Date: 12-01-2011 I End Date: 12-30-2012 Modelación de Balance de Masa y Descarga de Agua en Glaciares de Chile Central Principal Researcher: James McPhee Funding Source: Unidad Glaciología de Nieves, DGA Start Date: 08-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2012 MudFlow, Simulador de Agua Barro en Minería Principal Researcher: Raúl Castro Funding Source: INNOVA 12IDL2-15145 Start Date: 08-01-2012 I End Date: 04-30-2015
Advances in robot perception and mapping in challenging environments Principal Researcher: Martín Adams Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110579 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2013 Advanced neural networks and information theoretic learning methods for time series analysis: applications to astronomical light curves and biomedical signals Principal Researcher: Pablo Estévez Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110701 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2014
Seguimiento de Condiciones Nivales en Chile Central Principal Researcher: James McPhee Funding Source: DGA Start Date: 08-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2012
Análisis Fractal y de Redes sobre Sismicidad en Chile y el Peligro Sísmico Asociado Principal Researcher: Denisse Pasten Funding Source: FONDECYT 3120237 Start Date: 03-15-2012 I End Date: 03-15-2014
Selección y aplicación de un modelo hidrológico para estimar los impactos del cambio climático en la generación de energía del sistema interconectado central Principal Researcher: James McPhee Funding Source: Ministerio de Energia Start Date: 12-01-2011 I End Date: 08-31-2012
Analysis of distored incoherent scatter spectrum caused by the interaction of unstable waves via particle in cell simulations Principal Researcher: Marcos Díaz Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110384 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2014
Sistema de Monitoreo para Seguridad de Trabajadores en la Minería con Aprendizaje Automático Principal Researcher: Claudio Pérez Funding Source: INNOVA 12IDL2-13673 Start Date: 09-01-2012 I End Date: 02-01-2015 Sistema de valorización de yacimientos en base a información geofísica Principal Researcher: Marcos Díaz Funding Source: INNOVA 11IDL2-10829 Start Date: 12-15-2011 I End Date: 12-30-2013 Smart use of gases for improving recovery flotation cells: aplicación a concentradoras de cobre y molibdeno. Principal Researcher: Gonzalo Montes Funding Source: FONDEF –(FONDEF IDEA) Start Date: 12-13-2012 I End Date: 12-13-2013
Bedforms in non-Newtonian fluid flows Principal Researcher: Aldo Tamburrino Funding Source: FONDECYT 1130910 Start Date: 03-15-2013 I End Date: 03-15-2015 Boosting learning algorithms for multiclass classification and multidimension regression: applications to object detection and classification Principal Researcher: Rodrigo Verschae Funding Source: FONDECYT 3120218 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2012 Consitutive modeling of intact rock behavior under true triaxial loading conditions using a discrete element approach Principal Researcher: Javier Vallejos Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110187 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2014
Reconocimiento inteligente de patrones por video: aplicaciones en vigilancia y minería Principal Researcher: Claudio Pérez Funding Source: FONDEF D08I-1060 Start Date: 03-01-2010 I End Date: 12-30-2012
Characterizing storage and its impact on hydrologic modeling in high elevation basins on the Andes Cordillera between 30ºS and 36ºS Principal Researcher: James McPhee Funding Source: FONDECYT 1121184 Start Date: 03-15-2012 I End Date: 03-15-2015
Virtual Planning Room - Ambiente de trabajo para la planificación minera Principal Researcher: Alejandro Ehrenfeld Funding Source: INNOVA 13IDL1-18458 Start Date: 07-07-2013 I End Date: 12-07-2013
Design of fractional order adaptive controller with applications Principal Researcher: Manuel Duarte Funding Source: FONDECYT 1090208 Start Date: 03-15-2009 I End Date: 03-15-2012
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Semantic perception and mapping for mobile robots in unconstrained environments. Principal Researcher: Javier Ruiz del Solar Funding Source: FONDECYT 1130153 Start Date: 03-15-2013 I End Date: 03-15-2016
Improvements of adaptive systems performance by using fractional order observers and particle swarm optimization Principal Researcher: Manuel Duarte Funding Source: FONDECYT 1120453 Start Date: 03-15-2012 I End Date: 03-15-2015 Instrumentación avanzada para la medición no invasiva de campos de velocidad y concentración de flujos de mezclas sólidos-líquidos a altas concentraciones Principal Researcher: Christian Ihle Funding Source: FONDEQUIP EQM120197 Start Date: 12-01-2012 I End Date: 06-01-2013
Study of bubble coalescence prevention in the presence of frothers by means of bubble acoustic emissions in flotation systems Principal Researcher: Willy Kracht Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110173 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2013
International Cooperation Projects Algorithms for modeling the visual system: From natural vision to numerical applications Funding Source: CONICYT - ANR Principal Researchers Juan Cristóbal Zagal – Javier Ruiz del Solar Start Date: 01-01-2011 I End Date: 12-30-2013
Multiple point geostatistics for the evaluation of uncertainty in geological attributes and grades Principal Researcher: Julián Ortiz Funding Source: FONDECYT 1090056 Start Date: 03-15-2009 I End Date: 03-15-2012
Apoyo a la Formación de Redes Internacionales entre Centros de Investigación en Energías Funding Source: CONICYT - MINERGIA Principal Researcher: Manuel Duarte Start Date: 08-01-2012 I End Date: 08-01-2013
Multivariate geostatistics and its application to the characterization of mineral resources Principal Researcher: Xavier Emery Funding Source: FONDECYT 1090013 Start Date: 03-15-2009 I End Date: 03-15-2013
Exploración 3D automatizada para digitalización rápida de minas Funding Source: CONICYT - DAAD Principal Researcher: Martin Adams Start Date: 01-31-2013 I End Date: 01-31-2015
New Biometric Methods for Face Identification by Enhanced Feature Extraction-Selection and Model Fusion Principal Researcher: Claudio Pérez Funding Source: FONDECYT 1120613 Start Date: 03-15-2012 I End Date: 03-15-2015
Hazard studies related to pyroclastic density currents and gas emissions of Chilean volcanoes Funding Source: ECOS-CONICYT C11U01 Principal Researchers: Y. Niño - O. Roche. Start Date: 01-01-2012 I End Date: 12-30-2013
Phase relations and distribution of arsenic, antimony and lead during the treatment of complex impurity-rich copper materials by using iron carburization Principal Researcher: Leandro Voisin Funding Source: FONDECYT 1120341 Start Date: 03-15-2012 I End Date: 03-15-2014
Responsibility: International Responsible Research and Innovation Funding Source: EU FP7 Nº321489 Principal Researcher:Javier Ruiz del Solar Start Date: 02-01-2013 I End Date: 02-01-2016
Risk-sensitive particle filtering framework for failure prognosis and uncertainty representation in nonlinear systems with high-impact/low-likelihood events Principal Researcher: Marcos Orchard Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110070 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2013 Robust and fast vision systems for humanoid robots Principal Researcher: Javier Ruiz del Solar Funding Source: FONDECYT 1090250 Start Date: 03-15-2009 I End Date: 03-15-2013
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Estudio de sedimentación en conductos inclinados Principal Researcher: Christian Ihle Funding Source: FONDECYT 1110201 Start Date: 03-15-2011 I End Date: 03-15-2014
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
TECHNOLOGY ASSETS 2012-2013
SOFTWARE U-FO Software U-FO, registered in August 2012
completed, the software can generate the resource model using
Registration Number: N °: 219 966, on behalf of the Uni-
conditional simulation. The simulation results are transformed
versity of Chile
back to obtain the final structural model, therefore, circumventing the problem of estimating geological structures through the
The Unfolding software,U-FO, is the result of joint R&D undertaken
use of complex geometries or shapes while, at the same time,
by the Advanced Laboratory for Supercomputing in Geostatistics,
facilitating resource estimation.
ALGES Laboratory, the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Chile, AMTC and the Yamana Gold Mining Company. BOS2 The U-FO software for geological reconstruction enables to “flat-
Software BOS2,
ten” faults and folds, thus building appropriate planar models of
Registered in March 2012
in-situ geological structures and providing tools for exploratory
Registration Number: N °: 214 665, on behalf of the Uni-
analysis and variographic study.
versity of Chile.
In summary, this software solution identifies geological structures
Blending Optimization Sequencing and Scheduling, BOS2, is a
affected by displacement, applies a leveling algorithm to eliminate
software package developed by Delphos Laboratory at the Mining
structural folding and, using 3D visualization tools,cancels the
Engineering Department and AMTC, under the supervision of
effects produced by the faults. Once the transformations are
researchers Enrique Rubio and Nelson Morales.
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either for the entire mine or for specific areas, considering each
pit mining operations, which allows optimal sequencing of mine
variable and time needed. This allows generation of schedules
blocks´ extraction and processing over time. The software includes
that meet the plant’s requirements, recognize the availability of
standard accessibility restrictions for slope angles and enables the
equipment and enable control of the re-handling.
integration of the blocks´ operational accessibility in a systematic manner either from the banks´ access points or ramps, during
Amongst UDESS advantages are a better block estimation and
each phase of the excavation, in a systematic manner. It also
cost control enabling greater profitability of the mine and re-
includes the management of existing stockpiles. The scheduling
duction in operational risk due to higher level of certainty in the
created by BOS2 also considers constraints related to transport
estimation of the amount of ore to be extracted. It also takes
and processing capacity, minimum movement of ore, either for
into consideration environmental factors, such as, use of arsenic,
the whole mine or for specific areas, considering each attribute
diesel consumption and grinding power.
and time needed, thus allowing the generation of schedules that meet the plant’s requirements, respect the availability of
In summary, it is a flexible software package that enables to plan
equipment and enable the control of the re-handling.
and solve mine planning problems in a comprehensive and consistent manner, faster and smarter, allowing the planner to reach a higher level of analysis and generate more robust plans.
BOS2 is exceptionally flexible; it has been tested on multiple tasks in which it has proven to be a valuable tool for short-term planning, enabling the examination of mid- and long-term planning decisions as well as the study of changes in a sequence according
INTERNATIONAL PATENT
to multiple parameters, including environmental elements, such as, presence of arsenic, diesel consumption and grinding power.
“Method for determining eye location on a frontal face digital image to validate the frontal face and determine UDESS
points of reference”
Software UDESS, Registered in January 2013
Patent requested in September 2012
Registration Number: N °: 225021, on behalf of the Uni-
This project was led by researcher Claudio Pérez in collabo-
versity of Chile
ration with researchers: Pablo Estevez, Javier Ruiz del Solar, Claudio Held and Carlos Aravena.
UDESS is a software package developed by the Delphos Laboratory at the Mining Engineering Department and AMTC under the
The patent application via Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) focuses
leadership of the academician and researcher Nelson Morales.
primarily on the United States and, in general terms, concerns
It is a planning software applicable to underground mining,
mathematical methods and algorithms to set the location of the
which allows optimal sequencing for block extraction over time.
eyes in a face that is in front of an image to validate that face
By means of mathematical models and advanced optimization
by determining reference points.
techniques, not available in traditional software, the software provides mine planning solution in a more comprehensive fashion: software testing have resulted in generating up to 10% more block value than traditional software. In addition, UDESS includes the management of previously existing stockpiles, considers transportation and processing capacity constraints as well as restrictions on material movement,
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Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
BOS2 is a software package applicable to mine planning at open
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF CHILE
Mission
THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
The mission of Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
“We behold a new concept of university academia. It is no
(FCFM) of the University of Chile is the generation, development,
longer each one defending his/her own field of knowledge as
integration and communication of knowledge in basic sciences,
it was in the past. Currently, big players converge now to seek
engineering, earth sciences, economics and management, throu-
joint solutions to face major national problems”. FCFM Dean,
gh actions of teaching, research and outreach, at their highest
Prof. Francisco Brieva.
levels of complexity and at levels of international excellence in the areas of its competence. It also seeks to be a major factor in
The development of research is one of the fundamental pillars
the process of adoption of science and technology in all areas
of FCFM existence. For some years now, the FCFM prompted the
of the national economy.
renewal and development of their academic body and created policies to enhance interdisciplinary research. These decisions have enabled FCFM to respond to some of the scientific and technological challenges facing Chile and the world, leading the Faculty to become the nation’s intellectual reserve in the areas of its competence to meet the current and future needs of Chile. The forward thinking of FCFM´s scientists has enabled the FCFM´s academics to undertake research projects which have a high impact in our country.
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First
Autonomous Vehicle developed at the Center for Advanced Mining Technology (AMTC)
333
ISI Papers
3
Scientific and Technological Centers of Excellence selected under the Baseline Funding Initiative of CONICYT Associative Research Program.
RESEARCH 4
Centers of Excellence in Priority Areas, under FONDAP Program of CONICYT
$10.750
million Chilean pesos Addressed to research
TRAINING 23
Master Programs
13
Undergraduate careers Engineering (9), Astronomy, Physics, Geophysics and Geology
11
PhD Programs
151
Master graduated
500
90% 4.694
Undergraduate students
Graduated students
34
PhD graduated
943
Postgraduate students
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90 % of full-time academics count on with PhD degree
Advanced Mining Technology Center / AMTC
Facts & Figures 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
Direction to AMTC
The Advanced Mining Technology Centre is located within the PLAZA ERCILLA
Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (FCFM) at the PLAZA ERCILLA Nº 803
Central Santiago Metropolitan Region.
Geología
IDIEM
IDIEM
TUPPER
University of Chile, at 850 Beauchef Ave, in the municipality of
Sólidos
FCFM is located in the quadrant formed by the Tupper Avenue and Blanco Encalada Avenue (North – South) and by the Square Ingeniería Civil y Geofísica
Street Ercilla and Beauchef Avenue (East – West). The main en-
Direction:
Ingeniería Eléctrica
Torre Central Química y Minas
Física
Av, Tupper #2007, 4th Floor, AMTC Bldg. Santiago, Chile.
Phone:
TUPPER 2007
BLANCO ENCALADA
trance to the AMTC is through the entrance at 2007 Tupper Ave.
Cafetería
(+56 2) 29771000
Biblioteca Central
Casino
contacto@amtc.cl
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Acceso principal BEAUCHEF Nº850
Hall Sur TUPPER
BLANCO ENCALADA
e-mail:
Edificio Escuela
BEAUCHEF
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITORIAL BOARD Javier Ruiz del Solar AMTC Executive Director María Teresa Ramírez AMTC Executive Coordinator Eleonora Widzyk-Capehart AMTC Associate Reseacher CONTENT EDITORS María Teresa Ramírez Eleonora Widzyk-Capehart DESIGN Publisiga Ltda. PRESS Printer IMAGE BANK AMTC FCFM Publisiga
Advanced Mining Technology Center Add: Av. Tupper 2007, Santiago de Chile. Fono: (02) 29771000 contacto@amtc.cl www.amtc.cl