Browsing by Author "Jacobs, Daniël Rudolf"

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    A new simulation-based methodology for pro-active planning in deep-level mine ventilation systems to identify and mitigate hazards
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Jacobs, Daniël Rudolf; Schutte, Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk; Van Laar, Jean Herman; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Deep-level mining is present in various countries around the world. Gold production continues to decrease, and this places strain on the gold mining industry in South Africa. The depleting gold reserves meant that the existing deep-level gold mines had to expand deeper into the earth’s crust. Consequently, effective ventilation of deep-level mines is challenging. Deep-level mines rely on complex and dynamic ventilation systems to supply adequate air to underground workers. Changes to these systems are implemented to enable the expansion and deepening of the mines. These changes could cause certain hazards underground. The three main hazards that occur are high temperatures, gas accumulation and dust pick-up. It is therefore crucial to ensure that these hazards are prevented through effective planning. Digital twinning is a cutting-edge technology that simplifies the simulation and planning of the entire deep-level mine ventilation system. Currently, a problem persists in the absence of a concise strategy for identifying and mitigating hazards in life-of-mine planning, specifically when utilising a calibrated digital twin. Therefore, a systematic literature review was conducted to confirm this unique research opportunity. Additionally, a need is identified to determine the frequency of planning. There are currently two planning methods, namely incremental and end-state planning. The case study research methodology was utilised to develop a new strategy that uses a calibrated digital twin to identify and mitigate hazards in the planning of the life-of-mine. The strategy will then be verified in two parts, firstly verifying the strategy itself and secondly by utilising it in the two mentioned planning methods. The first verification case study implemented the hazard identification and mitigation strategy on a deep-level gold mine. The study produced a calibrated model with an accuracy of 95%. The calibrated model was then expanded according to the strategy and was used to identify various problem areas where high temperatures and insufficient airflow were present. These hazards were then mitigated, and sufficient ventilation was supplied throughout the three-year life-of-mine plan. The second verification case study implemented the hazard identification and mitigation strategy in both the incremental and end-state planning method. This enabled the comparison of these planning methods to evaluate the impact of the lower frequency of planning. This study highlights the significance of effective planning to minimise delays to ensure continuously safe working environments during the entire life-of-mine, rather than just at specific stages in the life-of-mine plan. Therefore, the developed solution in this research study can be used as a new simulation-based methodology for pro-active planning in deep-level mine ventilation systems to identify and mitigate hazards. The original contributions of the study include: • The development of a new strategy used in deep-level mine ventilation system life-of-mine planning. • The utilisation of a calibrated digital twin to identify possible problem areas in life-of-mine planning. • The reproducibility of the implementation of the strategy on all deep-level mines. • The improvement in the management and planning of a deep-level mine ventilation system. • The identification of which planning method is applicable for various applications.