Analysing the Utilisation Effectiveness of Mining Machines Using Independent Data Acquisition Systems: A Case Study

Abstract

Growing competition in the market for energy raw materials needed for power generation has led to an increasing number of measures being undertaken in the mining sector to reduce the unit costs of mining production. One of the areas that offer considerable savings in this regard is the utilisation of the technical resources owned by mines. This article is therefore focussed on analysing the utilisation effectiveness of these machines, based on the data recorded by industrial automation systems, as well as on measurements from independent surveying and chemical analysis of the excavated material’s quality. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to use the data about the operational parameters of the machines in order to analyse the effectiveness of their utilisation. It was assumed that the reliability of this assessment would depend mainly on the quality of the data used to conduct it. It was also assumed that using independent data sources for the analysis would provide objective and reliable information on the operation of the machines, devoid of any subjective feelings of the personnel or other factors. The developed methodology, based on a modified Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) model, was used to analyse four machines that comprise the automated longwall system. Values were determined for each machine, including their availability, performance and product quality. This, in turn, made it possible to determine a total effectiveness indicator, based on a modified Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) model, for the particular machines and the entire technical systems they form. The obtained results were used to assess the effectiveness of their utilisation and recommend corrective measures aimed at improving this metric. Moreover, the analysis results made it possible to assess the utilisation status of the machines in question. They also served as the basis for determining further lines of research, the purpose of which is to improve the effectiveness of the mining sector. The obtained results indicated that this process requires the wide application of IT tools, especially for data archiving and analysis. These tools, along with the developed model and methodology based on the analysis of large volumes of digital data, are in accord with the activities related to the implementation of Industry 4.0 idea in mining. It is the authors’ opinion that the material at hand should find a wide range of practical applications in supporting the management of technical resources within the mining sector.

Stability Control of a Goaf-Side Roadway under the Mining Disturbance of an Adjacent Coal Working Face in an Underground Mine

“…The rock strata without fracture failure are regarded as clamped beams. The elastic equation is established according to Griffith's strength theory, and the limit span L j of the beam is obtained by Equation (4). From the geometric relationship, the span, caving angle, and vertical height of the KS n to the working face of the coal seam satisfy the following:…”

“…Coal resources play a supporting role in China's economic development [1][2][3], and they are also important for Poland and other countries [4]. The support of surrounding rock is a basic protection of underground mining excavations [5][6][7], but the problem of surrounding rock control in the goaf-side roadway is one of the major technical challenges that restricts underground coal mines [8][9][10].…”

The Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Analyze Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emissions from the Mining and Quarrying Sector in the European Union

“…Although the importance of the mining industry has slightly decreased in EU countries, it still constitutes a crucial sector of the economy. Both mineral and energy raw materials extracted in EU countries make it possible to significantly satisfy their energy needs (e.g., Poland, Germany) [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] and provide raw materials used in almost all economic sectors (construction, chemical, pharmaceutical, space, automotive, electronic, and other industries) [28]. Contemporary economies of both developing and developed countries cannot function without gas, oil, iron ore, or copper.…”

Bench tests of a support system of a powered roof support’s hydraulic leg aimed at minimizing consequences of leaks

“…Currently, the most popular method of underground exploitation of hard coal is a longwall system. It is a highly efficient and relatively safe way of operation, whose stages can be mechanized [4,16]. This method applies powered roof support systems.…”

“…This method applies powered roof support systems. The efficiency of the systems depends mainly on the effectiveness of its individual machines [4,21,22]. The main machines included in the systems are shearers or plow machines (designed to mine the rock mass), scraper conveyors (transporting the output) and a roof support whose main task is to protect the longwall working and support the whole unit.…”