TY - THES

T1 - Possibilities of utilizing cutting force analysis for sensing different lithologies during mechanical excavation

AU - RIMOS, Pherto

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - The world population is growing faster per annum, and mineral consumption will increase as well as more consumers enter the market for minerals. Additionally, as wealth is increasing in many parts of the world, the consumption per capita is increasing as well. Mineral producers have the obligation to supply this continuously increasing demand. At the same time, rich deposits that are easy to access become more and more depleted. Rising environmental standards and objections against the mining industry as a whole put additional pressure on companies. This results in the need for a drastic increase in the efficiency of mineral producing chains. Recently, there are two of the most economical methods of excavation: mechanical excavation and drill and blast. Today, mechanical excavation takes an increasing share in the excavation industry as an alternative to conventional drill-blast. This technology is not only used in mining industry, but also in the civil industry for tunneling projects all over the world [1]. This happens, because mechanical excavation methods have some advantages over drill and blast methods. For instance, mechanical excavation can operate as a continuous operation that can reach high production rates. Does not require explosives handling, and blast fume ventilation, is less impact to the surrounding rock mass and does not influence adjacent communities by vibrations. Therefore, cutting tool technology and its development will determine the future mechanical excavation. One major contributor to increase the efficiency of these can be highly selective mining coupled with highly automated processes. The general results of this can be: • Reducing waste ore / tailing materials by selective excavation • Optimizing wear and maintenance • Optimizing blending capabilities to increase the efficiency of enrichment steps • Increasing work safety In addition, many research have been done in order to increase the automated technology in mechanical excavation, like utilizing the infrared system or high definition camera to identify the material at the working face [2]. However, in accordance to increase the technology of mechanical excavation, this thesis shows another possibility to identify the difference materials by utilizing the cutting force information during the excavation.

AB - The world population is growing faster per annum, and mineral consumption will increase as well as more consumers enter the market for minerals. Additionally, as wealth is increasing in many parts of the world, the consumption per capita is increasing as well. Mineral producers have the obligation to supply this continuously increasing demand. At the same time, rich deposits that are easy to access become more and more depleted. Rising environmental standards and objections against the mining industry as a whole put additional pressure on companies. This results in the need for a drastic increase in the efficiency of mineral producing chains. Recently, there are two of the most economical methods of excavation: mechanical excavation and drill and blast. Today, mechanical excavation takes an increasing share in the excavation industry as an alternative to conventional drill-blast. This technology is not only used in mining industry, but also in the civil industry for tunneling projects all over the world [1]. This happens, because mechanical excavation methods have some advantages over drill and blast methods. For instance, mechanical excavation can operate as a continuous operation that can reach high production rates. Does not require explosives handling, and blast fume ventilation, is less impact to the surrounding rock mass and does not influence adjacent communities by vibrations. Therefore, cutting tool technology and its development will determine the future mechanical excavation. One major contributor to increase the efficiency of these can be highly selective mining coupled with highly automated processes. The general results of this can be: • Reducing waste ore / tailing materials by selective excavation • Optimizing wear and maintenance • Optimizing blending capabilities to increase the efficiency of enrichment steps • Increasing work safety In addition, many research have been done in order to increase the automated technology in mechanical excavation, like utilizing the infrared system or high definition camera to identify the material at the working face [2]. However, in accordance to increase the technology of mechanical excavation, this thesis shows another possibility to identify the difference materials by utilizing the cutting force information during the excavation.

KW - different lithologies

KW - mechanical excavation

KW - different lithologies

KW - mechanical excavation

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -