interactive vr simulation, a tool for improving understanding of safety and environmental risk...
TRANSCRIPT
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:
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?