Robotic systems for open pit mineral mining

摘要

This brief analytical review focuses on development and improvement in mining machinery. The tendencies toward introduction of industrial robots into various spheres of human activity are defined. The scope of the description embraces features of application of robotic mining and transport machines in hard mineral mining in complicated geological, geotechnical and climatic conditions. The outlook is given for the full-scale adaptation of robotic systems to open pit mining. The further improvement in the area of open pit mine transport should be based upon the positive experience of industrial tests of robot-aided dump trucks. The robotics terms are interpreted in the context of mining with a view to eliminate differences and ambiguity in defi nitions, considering modern achievements in science and technology. The notion of robotic mining system is substantiated, and a flow chart is proposed for interaction between the control and mining systems in the framework of the robotic system operation in a mine. The key design elements of such system include mine structures, control and guidance facilities for robotic transportation equipment, the equipment sensors, automated control and global positioning system. It is proved that the basic advantages of the robotic machinery in open pit mining are considerable reduction in overburden volume to be removed and, as a consequence, decrease in land area to be taken to accommodate open pit mine infrastructure, as well as increase in equipment and mine capacity and the concurrent enhancement of mine safety, including environmental security. The article denotes areas of economical and environmental effectivization of mines as well as mine safety improvement achievable with the introduction of robotic transportation equipment.This study has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Grant No. 14-37-00050.