2
of mining activities. To support the digitization goals, the
integration of the non-digital drill rig into the Digital Mine
4.0 ecosystem is part of the Mine.io project. [9]
Mine.io Project
Various policy agendas specifically targeted at the min-
ing industry support the goals of digitalization in min-
ing. These agendas promote a gradual shift towards digital
transformation and automation, while also encouraging the
use of renewable energy in mining operations. Although
numerous institutional efforts have been made, there is
still significant progress to be made in the digitalization of
mining. The European Mine.io project, “A Holistic Digital
Mine 4.0 Ecosystem,” aims to drive progress in the mining
sector and improve its public perception. Funded by the
Horizon Europe Framework Program under the “Digitized,
Resource-Efficient and Resilient Industry 2022” initiative,
the project aims to develop a collaborative system that pro-
motes data sharing and collaboration among mining com-
panies. Digitization is a core aspect of Mine.io, enabling
more effective development at all stages of mining activities.
The project aims to create a digital ecosystem specifically for
mining, providing a systematic framework for implement-
ing Industry 4.0 in the sector. The Mine.io solution will
cover the entire mining value chain, from resource explora-
tion, extraction and processing to waste management and
post-mining activities.
The consortium includes 25 European partners. These
are divided into technology providers, mine operators, uni-
versities and research institutions. The Mine.io ecosystem
will be tested at 7 demonstration sites in 5 EU countries,
including 4 active mines and 2 historic mines, where 21
technologies will be trialed. [1]
One part of the Mine.io project is the TU Bergakademie
Freiberg (TUBAF) with the research and education mine
“Forschungs- und Lehrbergwerk Reiche Zeche (FLB).” As
part of the project, this article focusses on the digitization
of the compact drill rig Sandvik DE110. To achieve the
objectives six partners are involved. TUBAF provide access
to the mine, delivers support for the partners and develops
the measurement system. Second, the Luleå University of
Technology (LTU) contributes with their expertise in AI
analysis for measurements while drilling and access control
management for the data management. The third partner
is the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems
(ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens
(NTUA) that provides expertise in the development of
predictive maintenance technological solutions. In order to
ensure stable real-time data transmission and data storage,
other partners from the Mine.io project are developing a
new digital ecosystem for the mining industry. The fourth
partner Innov-Acts Limited (INN) provides the big data
platform as the central data distribution platform. The fifth
partner Jotne Connect (JOT) provides the EDMtruePLM
module for data repository including storage of all current
and historic data. Partner six Frontier Innovations provides
different solutions for visualization of business operations
and certification management. [2]
Measurement While Drilling
Although core drilling is a commonly used fundamental
activity in mineral exploration and subsurface investiga-
tions it suffers from some vital limitations and challenges.
One such limitation is associated with core losses in
broken ground and cavities, which makes it difficult to
precisely determine the location, but more important the
extent and quality of features e.g., fracture zones, within
the lithology. It is also more difficult to estimate the quality
and thickness of targeted lithological zones, which effects
the quality of grades and tonnage factors of the investigated
mineralization.
Another limitation with conventional core drilling is
that the mechanical properties of the penetrated rock mass
cannot be established directly at the drill site. Instead, this
is normally done, much later and at high costs, in a rock
mechanical laboratory.
To overcome these challenges and enhance the effi-
ciency and accuracy of core drilling, integration of inno-
vative techniques such as Measurement While Drilling
(MWD) has been suggested. With MWD the geo-mechan-
ical properties of the rock mass can be estimated in real
time, at low cost and without disturbing the production at
the drilling site.
MWD is a technique that enables real time monitor-
ing and recording of several drilling parameters during the
drilling operation [12]. The technique has been used in the
oil and gas sector for many decades and is also a common
practice in tunneling and infrastructure projects. It has also
gradually entered the surface and underground mining sec-
tor, predominating on production drilling. But, despite the
widespread use of MWD in the oil and gas, tunneling and
mining industry, its application in core drilling is not very
common.
Objective—Material Evaluation
The MWD parameters used is significantly different
depending on the drilling method. As example rotary drill-
ing, where the rock excavation primarily is done by feed
force (WOB) and rotation torque, is fundamentally differ-
ent than percussive drilling where the rock excavation is
of mining activities. To support the digitization goals, the
integration of the non-digital drill rig into the Digital Mine
4.0 ecosystem is part of the Mine.io project. [9]
Mine.io Project
Various policy agendas specifically targeted at the min-
ing industry support the goals of digitalization in min-
ing. These agendas promote a gradual shift towards digital
transformation and automation, while also encouraging the
use of renewable energy in mining operations. Although
numerous institutional efforts have been made, there is
still significant progress to be made in the digitalization of
mining. The European Mine.io project, “A Holistic Digital
Mine 4.0 Ecosystem,” aims to drive progress in the mining
sector and improve its public perception. Funded by the
Horizon Europe Framework Program under the “Digitized,
Resource-Efficient and Resilient Industry 2022” initiative,
the project aims to develop a collaborative system that pro-
motes data sharing and collaboration among mining com-
panies. Digitization is a core aspect of Mine.io, enabling
more effective development at all stages of mining activities.
The project aims to create a digital ecosystem specifically for
mining, providing a systematic framework for implement-
ing Industry 4.0 in the sector. The Mine.io solution will
cover the entire mining value chain, from resource explora-
tion, extraction and processing to waste management and
post-mining activities.
The consortium includes 25 European partners. These
are divided into technology providers, mine operators, uni-
versities and research institutions. The Mine.io ecosystem
will be tested at 7 demonstration sites in 5 EU countries,
including 4 active mines and 2 historic mines, where 21
technologies will be trialed. [1]
One part of the Mine.io project is the TU Bergakademie
Freiberg (TUBAF) with the research and education mine
“Forschungs- und Lehrbergwerk Reiche Zeche (FLB).” As
part of the project, this article focusses on the digitization
of the compact drill rig Sandvik DE110. To achieve the
objectives six partners are involved. TUBAF provide access
to the mine, delivers support for the partners and develops
the measurement system. Second, the Luleå University of
Technology (LTU) contributes with their expertise in AI
analysis for measurements while drilling and access control
management for the data management. The third partner
is the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems
(ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens
(NTUA) that provides expertise in the development of
predictive maintenance technological solutions. In order to
ensure stable real-time data transmission and data storage,
other partners from the Mine.io project are developing a
new digital ecosystem for the mining industry. The fourth
partner Innov-Acts Limited (INN) provides the big data
platform as the central data distribution platform. The fifth
partner Jotne Connect (JOT) provides the EDMtruePLM
module for data repository including storage of all current
and historic data. Partner six Frontier Innovations provides
different solutions for visualization of business operations
and certification management. [2]
Measurement While Drilling
Although core drilling is a commonly used fundamental
activity in mineral exploration and subsurface investiga-
tions it suffers from some vital limitations and challenges.
One such limitation is associated with core losses in
broken ground and cavities, which makes it difficult to
precisely determine the location, but more important the
extent and quality of features e.g., fracture zones, within
the lithology. It is also more difficult to estimate the quality
and thickness of targeted lithological zones, which effects
the quality of grades and tonnage factors of the investigated
mineralization.
Another limitation with conventional core drilling is
that the mechanical properties of the penetrated rock mass
cannot be established directly at the drill site. Instead, this
is normally done, much later and at high costs, in a rock
mechanical laboratory.
To overcome these challenges and enhance the effi-
ciency and accuracy of core drilling, integration of inno-
vative techniques such as Measurement While Drilling
(MWD) has been suggested. With MWD the geo-mechan-
ical properties of the rock mass can be estimated in real
time, at low cost and without disturbing the production at
the drilling site.
MWD is a technique that enables real time monitor-
ing and recording of several drilling parameters during the
drilling operation [12]. The technique has been used in the
oil and gas sector for many decades and is also a common
practice in tunneling and infrastructure projects. It has also
gradually entered the surface and underground mining sec-
tor, predominating on production drilling. But, despite the
widespread use of MWD in the oil and gas, tunneling and
mining industry, its application in core drilling is not very
common.
Objective—Material Evaluation
The MWD parameters used is significantly different
depending on the drilling method. As example rotary drill-
ing, where the rock excavation primarily is done by feed
force (WOB) and rotation torque, is fundamentally differ-
ent than percussive drilling where the rock excavation is