Interactive VR simulation, a tool for improving understanding of safety and environmental risk relating to sustainable mining practices

Interactive VR simulation, a tool for improving

understanding of safety and environmental risk

relating to sustainable mining practices

AusIMM Africa Australia Technical Mining Conference 2015

Dr. Phillip Stothard1,

Prof. David Laurence2,

Dr. Andrew Squelch1.

1. Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University, Kalgoorlie, WA.

2. School of Mining Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW.

• Mining is a complex 3D problem.

• Machinery, processes and work

organisation have changed significantly.

• Many complex Rules and Schemes

were introduced to improve safety and

manage risk.

• An improvement, however accidents

and incidents still occur.

• Simpler method for people to visualise

operations and risk was required.

• Too many text based documents.

• Since moved into other areas.

Project Catalyst (2000)

Interactive VR Simulation

• Computer games based technology.

• Aim is to provide a realistic simulation on-

site experience of a real mine

environment.

• Visualisation of environments that may not

be easily accessible during mine site

operations.

• May be 100% computer generated or

mixed reality (Part real, part computer

generated).

Project Stages

4

Feasibility and scoping study

Prototype development and testing

Industry prototype, field trials and project enhancement.

Full industry scale project and commercialisation

Innovation

Commercialisation

Broader research and detailed validation

Innovation

Innovation

Innovation

2000

Ongoing

2010

2004

2007

2012

2008

Continuous Improvement

Underground coalmine virtual reality simulationUnaided self escape training

Example

Underground coalmine virtual reality simulation

Unaided self escape training

Surface mine virtual reality simulation Mine site construction safety training

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development

principles are an essential tool

for global and domestic mine

operators to maintain their social

licence to operate.

• All dimensions may be

demonstrated via interactive

virtual reality (VR) simulation.

Dimensions of a sustainable mining practice (Laurence et al., 2011).

Sustainable Development

• Past knowledge and experience

gained from one location can assist

in achieving sustainability at another.

• Can be explored graphically and

assessed.

• For example, projects developed

within an African Mining context

could add knowledge to an

Australian one and vice versa.

Dimensions of a sustainable mining practice (Laurence et al., 2011).

Sustainable Development

• Safety and environmental

management are two vital

components of a sustainable

mining operation.

• Each may affect a mining

company’s corporate reputation if

not managed effectively.

• All five can be incorporated.

Dimensions of a sustainable mining practice (Laurence et al., 2011).

Concept for a mining virtual reality simulator applied to sustainable mining practices

Environmental impact simulation

Simulation Application Continuum – After (Stothard et al., 2015)

Note: this diagram is new, released June 1st (Stothard et al., 2015) and hence is not in the abstract

Advanced Mining Information Modelling

Barriers to Development

• No formal industry road map or strategy for technology

development and integration.

• ‘Expensive’ hardware – but is scalable and becoming more

accessible.

• Limited Interoperability.

• Limited industry engagement and University level research.

• Needs automated methods for content development.

• Needs human factors to be studied

– Very important.

Conclusions• Sustainable development principles

essential tool for mine operators to

maintain their social licence to operate.

• Simulators already developed for safety

and environment.

• Complex ideas can be explained via

graphics and all stakeholders can see

and comment upon what is planned.Advanced Simulator Concept for Mining Information Modelling.

Conclusions• Allows technical and non-technical

personnel to share knowledge and ideas in the pursuit of best practice.

• Transfer of knowledge helps maintain safety, environment, economy, efficiency and community.

• Applies to Africa, Australia and other locations.

• Past and the present can be used to assess the future impacts of mining and achieve a sustainable mining operation

Advanced Simulator Concept for Mining Information Modelling.

AcknowedgementsAusIMM for supporting this paper.

Australian Coal Association Research Program.

BHP Billiton Olympic Dam Expansion Project,

Coal Services Pty Ltd,

Curtin University WASM and Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch

ERA.

Joint Coal Board OH&S Trust,

Resources and Engineering Skills Alliance,

TAFE SA,

University of Adelaide

UNSW School of Mining.

ContactsDr Phillip Stothard, MAusIMM, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mining Engineering and Metallurgical

Engineering, Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University, Kalgoorlie WA, 6433. Email:

[email protected]

Prof. David Laurence, FAusIMM, Professor, School of Mining Engineering, UNSW, Sydney NSW,

2052. Email: [email protected]

Dr Andrew Squelch, Senior Lecturer, Department of Exploration Geophysics, Western Australian

School of Mines,Curtin University, Perth WA, 6152. Email: [email protected]

Thank you.

Questions?