The FutureMine collaborative research initiative : making research work

Abstract

The FutureMine Collaborative Research Initiative has been successfully completed after three years of activity. The main objective of this initiative was to provide applications of research previously undertaken in the DeepMine initiative in terms of realistic solutions to problems facing gold mining operations as they reach for depths beyond 3500m below surface. The FutureMine initiative was sub-divided into four broad streams of technological expertise: rock engineering and seismicity; mining engineering and orebody management; software and communications and ventilation, cooling and refrigeration. This paper presents a summary of research output in this last area of expertise. Broadly, research in mine ventilation, cooling and refrigeration was directed in areas related to the re-circulation of air, cyclical use of ventilation and cooling systems, air scrubbing technology, optimization of chilled water reticulation, obtaining direct cooling at the work-face, improving underground refrigeration system through dry air-cooling and water heat rejection systems and a number of software simulation programs to be used in specific applications and as a tool assisting real-time monitoring of underground environmental conditions. This paper describes in broad terms the outcomes from this section of the research programme and proposes ways in which some of these technologies may be combined synergistically in novel systems aimed at maintaining acceptable environmental conditions while reducing the impact on the profitability of operations.