Highlights

The cooperation between the TML Technik GmbH, Monheim/Germany, and the Institute for Advanced Mining Technologies (AMT)of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen/Germany, will create a synergy between the innovative construction and design of telescopic arms and the development of intelligent, mining-capable condition monitoring systems. As a result, an intelligent telescopic arm not yet available on the market will be build. A ...

Mining influences the natural and social environment to a great extent. More than other industries, the mining industry is aware of this impact, especially regarding their historical legacy. Responsible mining is characterized by this awareness and the dealing with the impact. The common definition of sustainable development reflects the combination of that awareness and the handling of development in present ...

Mine tailings are often disposed of in slurry dumps. Older facilities of this kind may include relating dams that have been poorly designed and constructed. This can pose a threat to local residents and the environment. Progressive oxidation can result in the dissolution of metals. This may impose an increased pollution burden on the aquifers. The stability and design of ...

The term “urban mining”, which is now a well-known concept, refers to the reclamation of compounds and elements from man-made sources. When buildings are being demolished, e. g., any valuable materials encountered, such as copper pipes and cables or old lead piping, can be extracted separately and the metals reused. Concrete rubble can also be recycled to produce new aggregate and ...

Successful process control during the extraction process, as well as the enrichment process of primary raw materials, requires the sensor-based determination of the material composition. Typical technologies, which have been utilized successfully in the mining industry, make use of the electromagnetic spectrum, e. g. XRF, LIBS, NIR, etc. These technologies are usually integrated into the respective process by either establishing a ...

Mine ventilation and climatization became increasingly important over the last decade. Main challenges and drivers have been the development of mining activities towards greater depths, more complex deposits with a larger areal extent, the further introduction and implementation of diesel-powered vehicles as well as stricter occupational exposure limits and rising energy costs. To meet these requirements and to keep the ...

As mining activities advanced throughout the centuries, mines increased in depth and complexity, resulting in the development of new technologies and processes. Ventilation was not only affected in terms of increased air quantities to be supplied, but controlling the airflow also gained attention. Until today, these trends are ongoing, meaning mines are still increasing in complexity, depth and machinery used, ...

Mining activities often influence huge areas which can only be observed efficiently with remote sensing methods. Recently the European Programme of Earth Observation Copernicus began to offer the opportunity to pursue this monitoring with innovative attempts in the production phase as well as in the post-mining phase. The combination of spatial data gained from satellite-supported sensors allows a precise verification ...

For the automation of underground mobile equipment in the scope of the Mining 4.0 initiative, it is necessary to have precise and continuous position information of that very mobile equipment. Different indoor positioning systems are available these days. However, not every system is suitable for use in underground mining operations. At the Institute for Mineral Resources Machine Technology (IMR) of ...

The Institute for Mineral Resources Machine Technology (IMR) at the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen/Germany has been working on options to enable boundary layer detection as well as horizon control for underground coal operations for more than a decade. One of these tested options is laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). After a short introduction into the technology of LIBS, this article describes ...