- Title
- Development and implementation of low-cost sensors and LiDAR for managing dust emissions due to mining activity
- Creator
- Ilic, D.; Lavrinec, A.; Sutton, L.; Holdsworth, J.
- Relation
- Iorn Ore Conference 2023, Perth, Western Australia. Proceedings of the Iorn Ore Conference 2023, Perth, Western Australia (Perth, Australia 18-20 September, 2023) p. 292-306
- Relation
- https://www.ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/iron-ore/
- Publisher
- The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
- Resource Type
- conference paper
- Date
- 2023
- Description
- Air quality is a big topic of discussion in regional mining communities as well as urban environments situated close to port terminals handling bulk solids. Community perception of poor air quality can significantly affect the reputation of the mining operation and handling facilities. Dust monitoring for regulatory compliance relies on using a handful of accurate but very expensive sensors, usually situated at the boundary, relatively far from the activities that generate the airborne dust. These reference monitors measure dust leaving the site but dust mitigation and management on-site largely relies on operator judgement. At a fraction of the cost, small wireless solar powered units can be used to supplement reference monitors in real-time. Due to their compact nature, portability and low price, these units can be implemented on a mass scale to increase spatial resolution of dust measurements and, more importantly, in much closer proximity to both the dust generating activity and the sources of dust. This can provide valuable insights into the origins and timing of dust generation thus producing data- driven decision-making while minimising subjectivity. Similarly, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is another supplemental technology that can be used to increase the spatial resolution of dust measurements in near real-time, however, the cost of commercial systems even exceeds that of regulatory monitors. LiDAR also presents difficulties in quantifying dust plume concentrations. This study presents learnings of implementing both technologies for dust emissions management. Several low-cost sensor units and a fast-scanning custom-built 3D LiDAR system operating at a range of 1.5 km with a resolution of 1.5 m were deployed on a surface mine to monitor dust emissions from different activities. The project explores the use of real-time sensor data to quantify LiDAR measurements in parallel with integration into mine planning. The approach can assist in prioritising dust mitigation activities thereby reducing instances of emissions exceedance and minimising water use through databased and targeted application. Demonstrated is an opportunity for a step-change in industry best practice as well as commercialisation and operationalisation of the method across different industries, including future mineral extraction.
- Subject
- urban environments; dust monitoring; LiDAR; mineral extraction
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1499019
- Identifier
- uon:54593
- Identifier
- ISBN:9781922395177
- Language
- eng
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