1
24-069
Outlining a Roadmap for the Deployment of a Digital Twin
System for the San Xavier Mine Laboratory
Víctor O. Tenorio
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Angelina Anani
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Gail Heath
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Nathalie Risso
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Dean Riley
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Nilufer Akbulut
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
James Werner
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Implementing a Digital Twin at the San Xavier Mine
Laboratory (Sahuarita, AZ), requires a network redesign
with a robust architecture. The goal is to create an ecosystem
in where all personnel and equipment can be monitored in
real-time from the University of Arizona campus, visual-
izing the site in a digital terrain model. A wireless mesh
will help to test robots with autonomous features. Expected
outcomes include data retrieval and analytics, the evolution
of communications and safety protocols, tele-operation,
and an innovated approach for managing the site with new
supervision challenges. A timeline with expected commis-
sioning benchmarks is also included.
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, computer technologies for underground
mines have experienced a major development in terms of
versatility, effectiveness, and information management.
Internet of Things can be found virtually everywhere,
allowing conventional equipment to provide essential data
for analysis and process improvement. Combining hard-
wired and wireless network configurations, it is possible to
overcome the classic limitations of data/signal transmission
in underground works, and in turn boost up operations
with supervision, surveillance teleoperation and autono-
mous systems for the benefit of safety, productivity and cost
reduction. From all these solutions, Digital Twins appear
as a highly useful solution for not only observe operations
remotely, but to actively participate in the excellent of
operations. Implementing Digital Twin technologies may
sound easy in theory, however it may take several steps and
trial attempts for a seamless configuration, until extending
our reach from a control room to a remote mine operation,
and effectively improving the overall performance of equip-
ment and personnel, while keeping safety levels and achiev-
ing production goals. This paper center in the required
steps to implement from scratch a Digital Twin system
for the supervision of the San Xavier Mine Laboratory,
located in Sahuarita, AZ, from the University of Arizona
Campus, in Tucson, AZ. Several challenges include iden-
tifying the proper technologies required, the network-to-
network communications protocols, the supervision, safety
of operations and the adequate asset management, so that
the model produced could be sustained effectively, and later
scaled to planned future expansions in the site.
THE SAN XAVIER MINE LABORATORY
With one of the nation’s most sophisticated research hoist-
ing systems, two declines for access of rubber-tired vehi-
cles and legacy rail haulage access, the mine features four
levels of underground workings to a depth of 250 feet.
This unique site has attracted projects critical to national
defense, geosciences, mine safety and miner rescue. (LIMR
(2023). In 2020, a major expansion included a decline
with a portal of 15 × 15 feet section, and a total projected
length of 1,000 feet. In recent times, many sensors have
been placed along the excavation, opening the possibilities
24-069
Outlining a Roadmap for the Deployment of a Digital Twin
System for the San Xavier Mine Laboratory
Víctor O. Tenorio
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Angelina Anani
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Gail Heath
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Nathalie Risso
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Dean Riley
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Nilufer Akbulut
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
James Werner
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Implementing a Digital Twin at the San Xavier Mine
Laboratory (Sahuarita, AZ), requires a network redesign
with a robust architecture. The goal is to create an ecosystem
in where all personnel and equipment can be monitored in
real-time from the University of Arizona campus, visual-
izing the site in a digital terrain model. A wireless mesh
will help to test robots with autonomous features. Expected
outcomes include data retrieval and analytics, the evolution
of communications and safety protocols, tele-operation,
and an innovated approach for managing the site with new
supervision challenges. A timeline with expected commis-
sioning benchmarks is also included.
INTRODUCTION
In recent years, computer technologies for underground
mines have experienced a major development in terms of
versatility, effectiveness, and information management.
Internet of Things can be found virtually everywhere,
allowing conventional equipment to provide essential data
for analysis and process improvement. Combining hard-
wired and wireless network configurations, it is possible to
overcome the classic limitations of data/signal transmission
in underground works, and in turn boost up operations
with supervision, surveillance teleoperation and autono-
mous systems for the benefit of safety, productivity and cost
reduction. From all these solutions, Digital Twins appear
as a highly useful solution for not only observe operations
remotely, but to actively participate in the excellent of
operations. Implementing Digital Twin technologies may
sound easy in theory, however it may take several steps and
trial attempts for a seamless configuration, until extending
our reach from a control room to a remote mine operation,
and effectively improving the overall performance of equip-
ment and personnel, while keeping safety levels and achiev-
ing production goals. This paper center in the required
steps to implement from scratch a Digital Twin system
for the supervision of the San Xavier Mine Laboratory,
located in Sahuarita, AZ, from the University of Arizona
Campus, in Tucson, AZ. Several challenges include iden-
tifying the proper technologies required, the network-to-
network communications protocols, the supervision, safety
of operations and the adequate asset management, so that
the model produced could be sustained effectively, and later
scaled to planned future expansions in the site.
THE SAN XAVIER MINE LABORATORY
With one of the nation’s most sophisticated research hoist-
ing systems, two declines for access of rubber-tired vehi-
cles and legacy rail haulage access, the mine features four
levels of underground workings to a depth of 250 feet.
This unique site has attracted projects critical to national
defense, geosciences, mine safety and miner rescue. (LIMR
(2023). In 2020, a major expansion included a decline
with a portal of 15 × 15 feet section, and a total projected
length of 1,000 feet. In recent times, many sensors have
been placed along the excavation, opening the possibilities