GeoCorner

Author: Hares Noori
Supervisor:
Advisor(s):
Funding: 

Abstract:

Author: Dimitris Rovithis
Supervisor: professor Mikael Rinne
Advisor(s): Mats Isaksson MSc, Douwe Osinga MSc
Funding: Boliden AB

Abstract:
This collaborative master's thesis was conducted in partnership with Boliden AB and centers on providing design criteria for the main orebody located below 1000 meters in Garpenberg's mine, with the aim of enabling the use of autonomous and electrified machinery. Furthermore, based on the identified criteria, new designs for this orebody are generated. Presently, Boliden's mining operations utilize manual and semi-autonomous, diesel-operated machines; however, the company's objective is to transition to electric machines that can operate autonomously or remotely from a control room. Consequently, the current mine infrastructure of operating mines must be integrated, and new mines not yet in production must be designed to accommodate the needs of autonomous and electrified machines, to optimize mining processes.

This transition necessitates a substantial amount of additional mining infrastructure, compared to a conventional mine, employing manual operations of diesel-operated machinery. The construction of charging stations for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or infrastructure for cable-electric vehicles is essential. Additionally, methods for utilizing the regenerative braking of electric vehicles (EVs) should be examined and changes in opening dimensions and road conditions may be necessary to optimize the use of autonomous equipment. Moreover, the possibility of combining manned and unmanned vehicles in the same area, as well as an increased power supply, may also require consideration. The objective of this thesis is to outline the design criteria for an autonomous and electric underground mine, create two new designs, and compare them to the current one using work cycle simulations of LHDs and trucks, ultimately selecting the most efficient design. 

The thesis yields three major contributions: first, it establishes design guidelines for an autonomous and electric mine; second, it introduces two innovative designs labeled as "V" and "W," specifically adapted to meet the new criteria; and third, it conducts a comparative analysis of the designs. The analysis involves work cycle simulations of loaders and trucks for different scenarios, comparing the current design with the two new designs to determine the most efficient option.