2
community benefits. Examples of this level area
Smart Cities &Infrastructure,
• Smart Energy and Smart Water and Waste.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND CURRENT
MARKET FOR DTS
Real-time monitoring of a DT can help to better under-
stand the needs of the physical system. That is why it is
used in various industries today. According to [7], the five
major fields of application are manufacturing, energy, aero-
space, cities, and construction engineering. While there are
examples observed in the mining industry, they are mainly
oriented to ore production processes (Example of DT in
ball mill [8]) due to the high cost-effectiveness of optimiz-
ing them and the availability of online information. On the
other hand, in the tailings area, a high economic return for
the implementation of this digital tool is not yet perceived,
which explains the lower progress.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF THE DT
FUNCTIONING
Main characteristic of a DT is the relationship with the
physical model, from which it obtains data and subse-
quently provides instructions for its operation, according
to the simulated scenario. The incoming information con-
siders sensor data (raw or processed), historical data, and
external data (manual input). A DT encompasses a digital
representation, an internal repository, and an internal data
processor. Figure 1 shows schematically how a DT works.
POTENTIALS OF A DIGITAL TWIN IN
TSFS
A DT is a set of computer tools that allow a physical rep-
resentation of a complex object or system, in this case a
tailings dam which has different structures and processes.
Many of these tools exist, but they work separately. For
example, software for simulating the tailings deposition
surface within the basin and for monitoring piezometry is
available,, but they are not linked together. The develop-
ment of a DT involves the integration of these tools along
with others to model the TSF as a single system.
In addition to the integrating variables advantages,
there is the possibility of analyzing different scenarios:
• Simulation and monitoring under normal condi-
tions (e.g., production and rheology)
• Simulation of reservoir performance under extreme
weather events or abnormal production conditions
(e.g., flow and rheology)
• Simulation for future conditions (e.g., growth or
rheological changes in production)
This would make it possible to anticipate potential opera-
tional problems in unusual, even extreme scenarios, and
also identify the limitations of existing infrastructure for
future growth. DTs have also been used in water dams for
safety assessments using a dynamic and proactive approach
[10], which can be easily extended to TSF.
On the other hand, a DT would allow the integra-
tion with other operating units to produce synergies. It is
Figure 1. Conceptual Model of a DT (adapted from [9])
community benefits. Examples of this level area
Smart Cities &Infrastructure,
• Smart Energy and Smart Water and Waste.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND CURRENT
MARKET FOR DTS
Real-time monitoring of a DT can help to better under-
stand the needs of the physical system. That is why it is
used in various industries today. According to [7], the five
major fields of application are manufacturing, energy, aero-
space, cities, and construction engineering. While there are
examples observed in the mining industry, they are mainly
oriented to ore production processes (Example of DT in
ball mill [8]) due to the high cost-effectiveness of optimiz-
ing them and the availability of online information. On the
other hand, in the tailings area, a high economic return for
the implementation of this digital tool is not yet perceived,
which explains the lower progress.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF THE DT
FUNCTIONING
Main characteristic of a DT is the relationship with the
physical model, from which it obtains data and subse-
quently provides instructions for its operation, according
to the simulated scenario. The incoming information con-
siders sensor data (raw or processed), historical data, and
external data (manual input). A DT encompasses a digital
representation, an internal repository, and an internal data
processor. Figure 1 shows schematically how a DT works.
POTENTIALS OF A DIGITAL TWIN IN
TSFS
A DT is a set of computer tools that allow a physical rep-
resentation of a complex object or system, in this case a
tailings dam which has different structures and processes.
Many of these tools exist, but they work separately. For
example, software for simulating the tailings deposition
surface within the basin and for monitoring piezometry is
available,, but they are not linked together. The develop-
ment of a DT involves the integration of these tools along
with others to model the TSF as a single system.
In addition to the integrating variables advantages,
there is the possibility of analyzing different scenarios:
• Simulation and monitoring under normal condi-
tions (e.g., production and rheology)
• Simulation of reservoir performance under extreme
weather events or abnormal production conditions
(e.g., flow and rheology)
• Simulation for future conditions (e.g., growth or
rheological changes in production)
This would make it possible to anticipate potential opera-
tional problems in unusual, even extreme scenarios, and
also identify the limitations of existing infrastructure for
future growth. DTs have also been used in water dams for
safety assessments using a dynamic and proactive approach
[10], which can be easily extended to TSF.
On the other hand, a DT would allow the integra-
tion with other operating units to produce synergies. It is
Figure 1. Conceptual Model of a DT (adapted from [9])