1.Introduction Metal mineral resources are the most important industrial raw materials in the world and play an indispensable role in the development of the national economy,social and material civilization,and scient...1.Introduction Metal mineral resources are the most important industrial raw materials in the world and play an indispensable role in the development of the national economy,social and material civilization,and scientific and technological progress.After decades of sustained and high-intensity development,shallow metal mineral resources in China have gradually decreased and are nearly exhausted[1];thus,the exploitation of metal mineral resources is comprehensively advancing toward greater depths.At present,more than 20 underground metal mines have reached or exceeded a mining depth of 1000 m[2].According to statistics,the mining depth of more than one-third of China’s underground metal mines will exceed 1000 m over the next decade,and the maximum mining depth will range from 2000 to 3000 m.It has been predicted that,with the advancement of exploration technology and the increase in exploration depth,it is entirely possible to encounter several large metal deposits at depths ranging from 3000 to 5000 m in China.Consequently,deep mining is the most urgent problem facing the development of metal mines in China,while remaining the most important way to ensure the sustainable development and supply of metal mineral resources in the future.Against this background,we propose key engineering technologies to address the problems presented by deep mining from a strategic perspective.展开更多
The mining sector historically drove the global economy but at the expense of severe environmental and health repercussions,posing sustainability challenges[1]-[3].Recent advancements on artificial intelligence(AI)are...The mining sector historically drove the global economy but at the expense of severe environmental and health repercussions,posing sustainability challenges[1]-[3].Recent advancements on artificial intelligence(AI)are revolutionizing mining through robotic and data-driven innovations[4]-[7].While AI offers mining industry advantages,it is crucial to acknowledge the potential risks associated with its widespread use.Over-reliance on AI may lead to a loss of human control over mining operations in the future,resulting in unpredictable consequences.展开更多
Current practice of underground artificial ground freezing(AGF)typically involves huge refrigeration systems of large economic and environmental costs.In this study,a novel AGF technique is proposed deploying availabl...Current practice of underground artificial ground freezing(AGF)typically involves huge refrigeration systems of large economic and environmental costs.In this study,a novel AGF technique is proposed deploying available cold wind in cold regions.This is achieved by a static heat transfer device called thermosyphon equipped with an air insulation layer.A refrigeration unit can be optionally integrated to meet additional cooling requirements.The introduction of air insulation isolates the thermosyphon from ground zones where freezing is not needed,resulting in:(1)steering the cooling resources(cold wind or refrigeration)towards zones of interest;and(2)minimizing refrigeration load.This design is demonstrated using well-validated mathematical models from our previous work based on two-phase enthalpy method of the ground coupled with a thermal resistance network for the thermosyphon.Two Canadian mines are considered:the Cigar Lake Mine and the Giant Mine.The results show that our proposed design can speed the freezing time by 30%at the Giant Mine and by two months at the Cigar Lake Mine.Further,a cooling load of 2.4 GWh can be saved at the Cigar Lake Mine.Overall,this study provides mining practitioners with sustainable solutions of underground AGF.展开更多
In view of sustainable development, this paper presents the challenges faced by the global mining sectors, outlines an integrated approach of the global minerals industry for sustainable development, introduces action...In view of sustainable development, this paper presents the challenges faced by the global mining sectors, outlines an integrated approach of the global minerals industry for sustainable development, introduces actions for the mineral professionals toward sustainable development, and proposes changes in the mineral operations, management, and governance practices in the Chinese perspective.展开更多
文摘1.Introduction Metal mineral resources are the most important industrial raw materials in the world and play an indispensable role in the development of the national economy,social and material civilization,and scientific and technological progress.After decades of sustained and high-intensity development,shallow metal mineral resources in China have gradually decreased and are nearly exhausted[1];thus,the exploitation of metal mineral resources is comprehensively advancing toward greater depths.At present,more than 20 underground metal mines have reached or exceeded a mining depth of 1000 m[2].According to statistics,the mining depth of more than one-third of China’s underground metal mines will exceed 1000 m over the next decade,and the maximum mining depth will range from 2000 to 3000 m.It has been predicted that,with the advancement of exploration technology and the increase in exploration depth,it is entirely possible to encounter several large metal deposits at depths ranging from 3000 to 5000 m in China.Consequently,deep mining is the most urgent problem facing the development of metal mines in China,while remaining the most important way to ensure the sustainable development and supply of metal mineral resources in the future.Against this background,we propose key engineering technologies to address the problems presented by deep mining from a strategic perspective.
文摘The mining sector historically drove the global economy but at the expense of severe environmental and health repercussions,posing sustainability challenges[1]-[3].Recent advancements on artificial intelligence(AI)are revolutionizing mining through robotic and data-driven innovations[4]-[7].While AI offers mining industry advantages,it is crucial to acknowledge the potential risks associated with its widespread use.Over-reliance on AI may lead to a loss of human control over mining operations in the future,resulting in unpredictable consequences.
文摘Current practice of underground artificial ground freezing(AGF)typically involves huge refrigeration systems of large economic and environmental costs.In this study,a novel AGF technique is proposed deploying available cold wind in cold regions.This is achieved by a static heat transfer device called thermosyphon equipped with an air insulation layer.A refrigeration unit can be optionally integrated to meet additional cooling requirements.The introduction of air insulation isolates the thermosyphon from ground zones where freezing is not needed,resulting in:(1)steering the cooling resources(cold wind or refrigeration)towards zones of interest;and(2)minimizing refrigeration load.This design is demonstrated using well-validated mathematical models from our previous work based on two-phase enthalpy method of the ground coupled with a thermal resistance network for the thermosyphon.Two Canadian mines are considered:the Cigar Lake Mine and the Giant Mine.The results show that our proposed design can speed the freezing time by 30%at the Giant Mine and by two months at the Cigar Lake Mine.Further,a cooling load of 2.4 GWh can be saved at the Cigar Lake Mine.Overall,this study provides mining practitioners with sustainable solutions of underground AGF.
文摘In view of sustainable development, this paper presents the challenges faced by the global mining sectors, outlines an integrated approach of the global minerals industry for sustainable development, introduces actions for the mineral professionals toward sustainable development, and proposes changes in the mineral operations, management, and governance practices in the Chinese perspective.
