2
of remote reading of changes in the rock behavior, asso-
ciated with temperature variations, micro-displacement of
the host rock, and potential for asset and personnel fol-
low up. Drones have also successfully been sent along the
decline and through the existing levels of the mine.
TOWARDS A DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION
The process of implementing a Digital Twin in an under-
ground mine brings up three major key points (Miskinis,
2018): 1. Improving Mining Machinery Productivity 2.
Developing Digital Twin Mining Simulations and 3.
Automating Ore Extraction Processes. Although the com-
pletion of these steps may take time and investment, as well
as training for the operators, it becomes a favorable proving
ground for testing technologies. At the beginning, it may
encompass controlling one machine at a time however,
given the nature of digital technologies, this can be done
either at the line of sight, from the safety and convenience
of a site control room, or from a remote place, such as the
University campus, 23 miles away from San Xavier.
BENEFITS
According to Nemes (2023), digital twins offer a range of
advantages to the mining sector, revolutionizing traditional
practices and enabling more efficient and sustainable opera-
tions. Digital twins:
• Enable real-time monitoring and predictive mainte-
nance in mining equipment, allowing operators to
assess performance, detect anomalies, and prevent
breakdowns.
• Enhance safety and risk mitigation by creating vir-
tual environments for training, simulating mining
scenarios, and operate equipment remotely.
• With the addition of simulations, they can opti-
mize mining processes like drilling, blasting, and
ore extraction, improving productivity and reducing
waste by virtually testing parameters.
• Help to improve mining sustainability by integrating
real-time environmental data, optimizing resource
utilization, reducing emissions, and mitigating envi-
ronmental footprint through optimization of air
quality, water consumption, and energy usage.
• The supply chain is simplified by projecting market
conditions, client preferences, and price variations,
synchronizing supply, demand, inventory tracking,
and logistics management.
According to Andritz (2023), the creation of a digital
twin gives a deeper understanding of real-time processes. It
offers valuable insights into how to improve efficiency and
product quality or reduce maintenance and waste. Digital
twins also enable virtual support, without an engineer hav-
ing to be on site. Experiments can be carried out with much
less risk and a lot more return on investment.
Figure 1 shows a conceptual layout for an industrial
digital twin, where the components for decision mak-
ing rely solidly in technological readiness, and situational
awareness.
Figure 1. A Digital Twin Concept (Tokogawa, 2020)
of remote reading of changes in the rock behavior, asso-
ciated with temperature variations, micro-displacement of
the host rock, and potential for asset and personnel fol-
low up. Drones have also successfully been sent along the
decline and through the existing levels of the mine.
TOWARDS A DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION
The process of implementing a Digital Twin in an under-
ground mine brings up three major key points (Miskinis,
2018): 1. Improving Mining Machinery Productivity 2.
Developing Digital Twin Mining Simulations and 3.
Automating Ore Extraction Processes. Although the com-
pletion of these steps may take time and investment, as well
as training for the operators, it becomes a favorable proving
ground for testing technologies. At the beginning, it may
encompass controlling one machine at a time however,
given the nature of digital technologies, this can be done
either at the line of sight, from the safety and convenience
of a site control room, or from a remote place, such as the
University campus, 23 miles away from San Xavier.
BENEFITS
According to Nemes (2023), digital twins offer a range of
advantages to the mining sector, revolutionizing traditional
practices and enabling more efficient and sustainable opera-
tions. Digital twins:
• Enable real-time monitoring and predictive mainte-
nance in mining equipment, allowing operators to
assess performance, detect anomalies, and prevent
breakdowns.
• Enhance safety and risk mitigation by creating vir-
tual environments for training, simulating mining
scenarios, and operate equipment remotely.
• With the addition of simulations, they can opti-
mize mining processes like drilling, blasting, and
ore extraction, improving productivity and reducing
waste by virtually testing parameters.
• Help to improve mining sustainability by integrating
real-time environmental data, optimizing resource
utilization, reducing emissions, and mitigating envi-
ronmental footprint through optimization of air
quality, water consumption, and energy usage.
• The supply chain is simplified by projecting market
conditions, client preferences, and price variations,
synchronizing supply, demand, inventory tracking,
and logistics management.
According to Andritz (2023), the creation of a digital
twin gives a deeper understanding of real-time processes. It
offers valuable insights into how to improve efficiency and
product quality or reduce maintenance and waste. Digital
twins also enable virtual support, without an engineer hav-
ing to be on site. Experiments can be carried out with much
less risk and a lot more return on investment.
Figure 1 shows a conceptual layout for an industrial
digital twin, where the components for decision mak-
ing rely solidly in technological readiness, and situational
awareness.
Figure 1. A Digital Twin Concept (Tokogawa, 2020)