THE MINING Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) is currently researching new methods of detecting and visualising seismic and microseismc hazards in underground mines.
The North-American not-for-profit applied research firm claims 3D visualisation and hazard map creation is allowing for safer mine planning and activities.
Vale has shown interest in this work and has commissioned MIRARCO to create seismic hazard maps of their Creighton Mine (which is nearing the 8000ft level) in Canada.
The group says its Virtual Reality (VR) technology gives miners the ability to visualise information and make decisions based on what is seen, without going through elaborate mathematics or expensive trial and error processes.
VR can assist a company make judgments on exploration, mine planning & design, event simulation, operations and closure and detail how these decisions will affect costs. The technology can instantly report the financial impact of decisions on, ore grade and excavation rates, mine planning, ground control methods, stress and seismicity, physical placement of stopes, ramps and other structures and scheduling human resources and equipment.
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