The Case: AllScan | Iron Ore, Ore Grade Control & Sorting.
Introduction.
Efficient management of iron ore stockpiles and minimizing transport costs are vital for the profitability of mining operations. This case study examines how a satellite facility at an Iron Ore mine in Western Australia improved its stockpile management and grade control using real-time analysis with the Allscan system.
The Challenge.
Our client faced significant transport costs for moving material from the satellite facility to a central processing facility. Transporting out-of-spec material not only increased costs but also impacted the processing facility’s efficiency. Additionally, with material being stockpiled before transport, there was no immediate feedback loop to the mining operations, making it difficult to control the ore grade effectively.
The Solution.
RTI installed the Allscan system prior to the stockpile facility to address these challenges. The Allscan provided real-time data on the iron ore quality before the material was stockpiled, allowing for better control over stockpile builds. This real-time information was also fed back to the mining operations, enabling more precise grade control.
The integration of the Allscan into the existing workflow allowed operators to monitor the ore quality continuously, ensuring that only in-spec material was transported to the processing plant. This not only reduced transport costs but also improved the overall efficiency of the processing facility.
The Result.
The implementation of the Allscan system yielded several significant benefits:
- Reduced Transport Costs: By ensuring that only in-spec material was transported, the mine significantly lowered its transport expenses.
- Improved Processing Efficiency: The processing plant received more consistent, on-spec material, enhancing its operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Grade Control: The feedback loop provided by the real-time data allowed mining operations to adjust and maintain ore grade more effectively.
By integrating the Allscan system, RTI enabled our client to optimize its stockpile management and grade control, resulting in reduced transport costs and more efficient processing operations.