WorldWide Drilling Resource

Artificial Intelligence for Blasthole Drilling Adapted from Information by MineWare Australian company MineWare has developed the mining industry’s first AI-based (artificial intelligence-based) drill automation platform, Phoenix AI. Compatible with all makes and models of blasthole drills, Phoenix AI is an independent system which allows machine operators to automate the entire drill cycle at the push of a single button, without compromising the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) control system. “The new layer of technology helps drills work faster and smarter to improve machine performance, hole quality, detect and correct down-the-hole faults, optimize drill and blast outcomes, and drive efficiencies downstream,” said Curtis Stacy, product manager. By giving operators the power to give more control to the machine, drill and blast teams can eliminate operator variability, one of the major causes of poor hole quality and machine stress, reducing maintenance costs and extending the life of drill rigs. In autonomous mode, Phoenix determines the hole depth based on the engineered drill plan and uses advanced AI algorithms to adapt to its environment, constantly adjusting drilling parameters to match ground conditions and respond to downhole faults in real time. “Phoenix ensures accurate execution of the mining engineer’s design and finds the sweet spot for every drill hole - the perfect balance of speed, pressure, and force - to maximize penetration rates and total production without damaging the machine,” explained Stacy. During the drilling cycle, live ground conditions are color coded and displayed on the Phoenix AI drill index bar. Each color indicates the relative hardness of the ground for improved blasting and fragmentation. “By making this data available not only to the drill operator but also to the entire drill and blast team, they can determine the correct use of explosives relative to the ground conditions for improved blasting and fragmentation.” The system takes drill automation to the next level, bringing together the best of human and artificial intelligence to continually optimize the drilling process. “Phoenix works in much the same way as a great operator thinks, which makes artificial intelligence a perfect application for drill automation. Looking ahead, our vision for Phoenix AI is to give our customers a powerful tool that enables them to measure and improve their downstream mining processes in real time,” Stacy stated. EXB Frequently-Used Geological Terms Part 92 Glossary Adapted from the Dictionary of Geological Terms S Semianthracite - Coal having a fixed carbon content of 86-92%. It is between bituminous coal and anthracite in metamorphic rank, although its physical properties more closely resemble the latter. Semibituminous Coal - Coal ranking between bituminous coal and semianthracite. It is harder and more brittle than bituminous coal and has a high fuel ratio which burns without smoke. Sepiolite - A chain-lattice clay mineral that is white to light gray or light yellow, extremely lightweight, absorbent, and compact. It occurs in veins with calcite and in alluvial deposits formed from weathering of serpentine masses, found mostly in Asia Minor. It is used in making tobacco pipes and ornamental carvings. Sericite - A white, fine-grained potassium mica occurring in small scales and flakes as an alteration product of various aluminosilicate minerals, having a silky luster. It is found in various metamorphic rocks, especially schists and phyllites; usually muscovite or very close to muscovite in composition, and may also include illite. Serpentine - Agroup of common rock-forming minerals of a specific formula which are commonly green or greenish-gray and have a greasy or silky luster, a slightly soapy feel, and a tough, conchoidal fracture. They are usually compact, but may be granular or fibrous. Serpentines are always secondary minerals derived by alteration of magnesium-rich silicate minerals. Serpentinite - Rock consisting almost wholly of serpentine minerals such as antigorite and chrysotile, commonly derived from the alteration of peridotite. Serrate - Topographic features which are notched or have a saw-toothed profile. Settling Velocity - The rate at which suspended solids subside and are deposited. Shaded-Relief Map - Map of an area whose relief is made to appear three-dimensional by the method of hill shading. Shadow Zone - A region 100 to 140 degrees from the epicenter of an earthquake in which, owing to refraction from the low-velocity zone inside the core boundary, there is no direct penetration of seismic waves. More terms next month! Sepiolite pipe of a dog’s head on display at the Pipe and Diamond Museum in Saint-Claude, France. MIN 30 DECEMBER 2020 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®

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