Hightopo Visualization Empowers Mining Production and Management
Original link: https://medium.com/@hightopo/hightopo-visualization-empowers-mining-production-and-management-462827aa2145
With the continuous evolvement of the mining industry, traditional management methods can no longer meet the requirements of modern copper mines for efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and refined management. Therefore, building an integrated control platform has become imperative. The Hightopo Copper Mine Integrated Management Platform — hereafter called “This platform” — has been specifically designed to address these challenges. Through information and intelligent means, it integrates management functions of various stages including mining, mineral processing, and smelting, achieving resource optimization, real-time monitoring, safety assurance, environmental protection, and process optimization, thereby enhancing the overall operational efficiency and competitiveness of the mine.
Final Project Showcase This platform, developed based on the “Hightopo” graphic engine, utilizes its powerful data visualization and real-time monitoring capabilities to achieve comprehensive integration and optimization of mine production, equipment, safety, and resource management.
This platform aims to improve production efficiency and safety, optimize resource utilization, support technological innovation and process improvements, and promote environmental protection and sustainable development. Through information and intelligent means, it drives copper mining enterprises to achieve refined management and modernization transformation.
System View Overall Management This platform uses 3D geographic models and dynamic displays to showcase a panoramic view of the mining area, including details such as mountains, rivers, and plant exteriors. The page presents monthly copper and gold production data, production progress of various mines, and daily grade data through charts and curve graphs, making it intuitive and convenient.
It supports real-time monitoring and data integration with the mine production management system, thereby enhancing management efficiency and decision-making accuracy.
3D Geographic Model of the Mining Area
The left side of the platform displays a 3D terrain model of the mining area, presenting geographical features such as mountains, plains, and rivers. It also shows detailed layouts and appearances of plants. Through dynamic light flow effects, it displays real-time changes in production activities, including equipment operation and ore transportation routes, providing intuitive on-site perception and supporting effective production scheduling and management decisions.
Mine Production Data
The dashboard on the right side of the platform displays key production data for the mine, including three parts:
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■ The first area presents the proportion and cumulative data of copper and gold production for the current month.
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■ The second area displays the daily production, monthly completion, and planned completion rate for each copper mine.
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■ The third area shows data for the past 7 days’ supply grade, production grade, and gangue grade in the form of a curve graph.
These panels provide real-time, intuitive monitoring data of production progress and quality, effectively supporting management decision-making.
Mining Dashboard The mining dashboard uses multi-dimensional data charts to monitor and display various key production and operational data in real time, including planned usage of explosives, unit consumption, drilling rig and perforation information, material consumption, and energy consumption. Additionally, the system records detailed data on mining and stripping volumes, cost statistics, changes in per-ton ore indicators, and ore quantity completion status. Other sections display production and grade testing information, provide grade comparison analysis, equipment attendance rates, GNSS monitoring information, daily ore preparation, and workforce statistics, offering real-time decision support for management.
Safety production is ensured through recording key risk point operation processes, blasting personnel information, and integrating multi-source data analysis.
Furthermore, this platform provides two theme styles — dark and light — allowing users to switch between them freely. This feature accommodates various visual preferences and enhances the interface’s readability.
Mining, Mineral Processing, and Smelting Process Flow Diagram Leveraging Hightopo’s seamless integration of 2D and 3D capabilities, this platform presents traditional 2D process flow diagrams in an innovative 3D format. Through dynamic visualizations and smooth transitions, it offers a unique and engaging experience that surpasses conventional flow charts.
The process flow diagram of the copper plant illustrates the complete production process from raw ore to high-purity copper products, divided into three main modules: mining, mineral processing, and smelting.
■ The mining process flow diagram covers steps such as drill hole perforation, explosive charging and blasting, ore transportation, and preliminary processing;
■ The mineral processing flow diagram separates and purifies the ore into copper concentrate and sulfur concentrate through stages including coarse crushing, semi-autogenous grinding, flotation, and thickening
■ The smelting process flow diagram employs steps such as crushing, heap leaching, electrowinning, and electrorefining to further refine copper concentrate into high-purity cathode copper.
Each module provides a detailed display of the various process steps and related equipment, reflecting the efficiency and precision of the entire production chain.
Mining Process
The mining process flow diagram illustrates the various steps from ore exploration to ore transportation and preliminary processing, ensuring efficient and safe ore extraction.
The mining process includes several key steps: exploration, mine preparation engineering, large and small hole drilling, large and small hole blasting, ore loading and hauling, ore chute, crushing, inclined belt conveyor transportation, copper plant flotation, and so on.
The mining process flow diagram visualization tool enhances mining safety management efficiency through streamlined charts and data analysis. By providing real-time monitoring of critical indicators and risk points, it facilitates prompt decision-making by management, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and operational efficiency.
Mineral Processing
The mineral processing workflow is a complex and precisely controlled procedure that encompasses the entire sequence from coarsely crushed ore to the ultimate production of high-grade copper concentrate.
With the Hightopo web-based graphic engine, the platform offers a comprehensive visualization of the mineral processing workflow, incorporating detailed environmental protection and safety protocols. This sophisticated tool optimizes production processes to minimize environmental impact and enhance worker safety. Through precise visual monitoring and control of each operational stage, the system ensures optimal quality and efficiency in copper concentrate production. The implementation of modular design principles, water resource recycling, and valuable by-product recovery exemplifies the platform’s commitment to efficient and sustainable modern mineral processing techniques.
Smelting Process
Hydrometallurgy is a crucial process for copper smelting, particularly advantageous for processing low-grade and complex ores. This comprehensive method encompasses several key stages: ore pretreatment, heap leaching, leach solution collection and purification, solvent extraction, stripping, and electrowinning. Each phase is designed to maximize copper extraction efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Hydrometallurgy offers significant advantages over traditional smelting methods. It efficiently processes complex ores while substantially reducing harmful emissions, aligning with environmental sustainability goals. Furthermore, its adaptable nature allows for customization to various ore compositions, thereby enhancing both economic viability and ecological stewardship in copper production processes.
Underground Mining Dashboard The underground mining dashboard professionally presents essential mine production data. It provides real-time equipment operational status, daily production summaries, and dynamic updates on underground personnel and equipment. The dashboard also includes statistical analysis of mining costs, detailed ledger information, progress reports on tunneling projects, and updates on large and medium-hole construction activities. This comprehensive tool equips mine managers with a real-time, detailed overview of production operations, facilitating informed decision-making and efficient management.
Copper production process Through the use of Hightopo’s advanced 3D engine rendering capabilities, the platform presents a sophisticated visualization of the copper mine production process. The system utilizes high-fidelity modeling and lifelike material textures to provide an accurate representation of each equipment’s intricate structure and operational status. Every component, from large-scale crushers to sophisticated flotation cells, is meticulously replicated, maintaining precise proportions relative to their real-world counterparts. This faithful reproduction enables production personnel to conduct comprehensive inspections of the mineral processing workflow, offering unobstructed views of crucial operations such as ore crushing, material transportation, and storage facilities from multiple vantage points.
The data dashboard on the right side of the platform interfaces with the server to update key parameters in real-time, such as production completion status, production organization details, and process indicator information, allowing production personnel to quickly grasp the operational status of the production system.
Summary The Copper Mine Integrated Management Platform, powered by the Hightopo graphic engine, exemplifies the advanced application of digital twin technology and visualization in copper mine management. Utilizing real-time data acquisition and 3D visualization, the platform provides comprehensive monitoring across all mining operation phases, encompassing extraction, mineral processing, transportation, and storage. It offers real-time updates on equipment status, production progress, and safety metrics, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing operational efficiency. This system not only augments the operational effectiveness and competitive edge of mining operations but also demonstrates significant potential for driving technological innovation, optimizing resource allocation, ensuring operational safety, and promoting sustainable practices. Ultimately, it positions copper mining enterprises at the forefront of refined management practices and technological modernization.