The Case: AllScan | Elemental Analysis, Nickel Ore, Stockpile Management.
Introduction.
Efficient stockpile management is essential for optimising downstream processing in mining operations. This case study examines how a nickel mine in Brazil enhanced its stockpile control using the AllScan system to manage multiple stockpiles with varying compositions.
The Challenge.
The nickel mine needed to manage multiple stockpiles, each with different ranges of Nickel (Ni) and SiO2/MgO ratios, to ensure efficient downstream processing. However, the existing method of laboratory sampling and analysis was too slow to make timely and meaningful control decisions, often resulting in material being stacked in the wrong location.
The Solution.
Real Time Instruments tested the AllScan system on the full range of material to show how the data could be used to provide real-time control over stockpile destinations. This data flow was shown to enable accurate stockpile modelling and reclamation control by offering immediate data on the composition of the material being stockpiled.
By integrating the AllScan system, operators could continuously monitor and adjust stockpile builds based on real-time data, ensuring that each stockpile met the required specifications for downstream processing.
The Result.
The testing of the AllScan system showed significant improvements:
- Real-Time Control: Operators could make immediate adjustments to stockpile destinations, ensuring that each stockpile met the necessary quality standards.
- Enhanced Stockpile Management: The real-time data allowed for precise stockpile modelling and reclamation control, optimizing the use of available resources.
- Improved Precision: The measured precisions provided by the AllScan system were more than adequate for effective stockpile management, resulting in more efficient downstream processing.
By utilising the AllScan system for real-time analysis, RTI enabled the nickel mine to improve its stockpile management, leading to more efficient processing and better resource utilisation.
