A framework to define, design and construct digital twins in the mining industry

Abstract

The mining industry is set to increasingly use technological innovations surrounding digitalisation, particularly in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, to address current productivity challenges and safety concerns. Digital twins serve as an enabling technology for many digitalisation-based technological innovations. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the digital twin concept within the mining industry. This paper presents a framework customised to mining which delineates various dimensions, model types and properties associated with a digital twin. The framework establishes a shared understanding of the concept, serving as a blueprint for the development of future digital twin works in the mining industry. The framework is enriched by accompanying model selection tools which could aid new users in developing digital twins within the proposed framework. Two case studies depicting existing mining digital twins are presented and deconstructed within the proposed framework. These case studies illustrate the framework’s ability to effectively identify various digital twin types, instilling confidence in the framework’s ability to thoroughly deconstruct existing works whilst simultaneously serving as an effective tool to construct future digital twins.