From face to surface- optimised processes and increased understanding of fragmentation
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 5 470 000 |
| Project duration | September 2013 - February 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme for Swedish mining and metal producing industry - SIP Swedish Mining Innovation |
| Call | STRIM |
Important results from the project
SIP STRIM the Strategic Innovation program for the Mining and Metal Mining aims to strengthen the mining sector competitiveness and contribute to sustainable development. This project has significantly reduced production costs, improved resource efficiency and improved characterization of the ore.
Expected long term effects
The Face-to-Surface project is focused on "more efficient and competitive processes, equipment and methods", "resource efficiency" and "Increased energy efficiency" in the STRIMs agenda. The project has demonstrated how significant savings can be achieved by optimizing fragmentation. The influence from rock mass Properties, mainly structural information such as cracks, fracture, voids, etc. have been used to optimize the charging and blasting operation. Loading and transport efficiency have been increased for both surface and underground operations.
Approach and implementation
The project Face-to-Surface has been implemented as two individual projects, one surface project and one underground project with essentially different applications. This broad approach and the significantly different technical conditions have not been ideal from a project implementation perspective, and have brought a lot of extra administrative work. The research work carried out in production environments, however, meant that the results have industrial relevance and have a shorter way to applications.