Mining simulation tool to support planning and operational improvements in 6 mines of Norilsk Nickel

Development and implementation of simulation-based integrated decision support tool for underground nickel ore mining operations for Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest nickel producer

Norilsk Nickel

Development and implementation of simulation-based integrated decision support tool for underground nickel ore mining operations for Norilsk Nickel, the world’s largest nickel producer. The simulation was integrated into Client’s IT landscape and is used for yearly planning.

Industry sector: Mining
Client: Norilsk nickel
Partner: HETNET Consulting

Project objective

  • Calculate reasonable planned indicators of mine production considering all input data and limitations in the long-term period (1 year)
  • Estimate the effectiveness of equipment and transport utilization and determine the optimized number of equipment/ transportation
  • Reasonable resource planning, increase of equipment utilization effectiveness in the short-term period (1 month, ten-day period)

Library of materials of Norilsk Nickel, https://www.nornickel.ru/news-and-media/media-library/

Description

The main stages of work and characteristics of the system

  • Preparing technical specification for development of the system of planning underground nickel ore mining operations
  • Development of the simulation model on the AnyLogic platform
  • Verification and validation of the model
  • Development of the system of planning underground nickel ore mining operations on Eclipse platform
  • Taking part in testing, users’ training and implementation of the system

System input data

  • Geometric and mining-geological features of mines
  • Schedules, technological operations execution order and duration
  • Technical characteristics and limitations of equipment and transport (drilling machines power, loaders load capacity, etc.)

The main structural elements of the system

  • Module for data import in .dxf format
  • Module for scenario creation with multiuser mode, user access control, and graphic interface for editing of mine layout
  • Simulation model with interactive presentation in 2D and 3D
  • Module of simulation-based mining plan creation
  • Data aggregation module that allows to generate MS Excel files with the simulation results

System output data

  • Operational indicators of mine production (ore volume by ore types, etc.)
  • Equipment utilization by equipment and transport types
  • Financial expenses by equipment and transport units

Project result

  • Verified simulation model that allows to perform scenario analysis, plan mine production and distribute equipment and transport effectively
  • Implemented system of simulation modeling with the functionality of input data graphical setting and editing
  • Trained key users and organized first line of support
Срез горной породы в калийной шахте, Уралкалий

Using simulation has become an industry standard in mining

Todays modern simulation tools, such as MineTwin, allow to speed-up creation of simulation models.