Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations

Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations

Jim Foerster

Certified Consulting Meteorologist

Senior Product Management Director, Environment

Schneider Electric

SME Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2013

Schneider Electric - Industry Business – How to Manage Your Legacy Automation Equipment – 2012

Weather Impacts Mining Operations

●Weather conditions can impact several aspects of mining operations…

Schneider Electric – Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations – SME 2013


Weather Impacts Mining

Production

●Weather can present a direct impact on the ability of production scheduling

● Site flooding - causes losses of equipment and infrastructure

● Regional flooding - limits road access for mining vehicles and personal mobility

● Evaporation rates – has direct impact for tailings and process as well as potable water management

● Wind and air pressure - can adversely affect blasting planning




Maintenance

●Weather can present a direct impact on the ability of production scheduling

● Machinery maintenance cycles● Best selection of oils and lubricants● Corrosion management strategies● Ambient temperature - influence on

tire pressure used in mine vehicles.




Safety

● Personal safety is critical for many reasons ●Enables monitoring of the movement and dispersion of dust and hazardous gases ●Dust control strategies ●Design and positioning of mine offices and dorms●Stockpile positioning●Ensuring that local communities are not negatively impacted by excessive or hazardous dust and gases from the mine site●Noise pollution




Safety

●Worker safety and productivity impacts

● Temperature/Wet Bulb Globe● UV radiation● Radiant heat ● Relative humidity data

● Lightning safety hazards

● Worker safety● Equipment strikes ● Premature detonation of explosives● Equipment stoppages (winders)● Methane explosions



“Lightning can penetrate a 600-ft-deep mine with

enough energy to trigger methane explosions”

Novak and Fisher (2000)

ft


Lightning Facts●One of the most severe forms of weather that can adversely affect mining

operations●Lightning strikes 40–50 times a second worldwide, nearly 1.4 billion total

flashes per year● Only about 25% of these are ground strokes● Where freezing level is lower, ground strokes increase

●Approx. 70% of lightning occurs on land in the tropics●A typical cloud to ground lightning strike can be over 5 km (3 mi) long●A typical thunderstorm may have three or more strikes per minute at its peak● Lightning is most likely in Southeast US:

1.Florida – also has 10 of top 15 metro areas in US

2.Louisiana

3.Mississippi

4.Alabama

5.Oklahoma



World Map of Frequency of Lightning Strikes

Source: WikipediaSchneider Electric – Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations – SME 2013


Weather Impacts Mining – Other Hazards

MSHA warns mining industry conditions at underground and surface coal mines can change dramatically during the winter months

“The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) says that low barometric pressure and low humidity, combined with the seasonal drying of many areas in underground coal mines, have been key factors in past mine explosions”

MSHA annual "Winter Alert" campaign

MSHA annual "Winter Alert" campaign



Requires a Complete Weather Solution



Weather Support Ideal for Mining Operations

Historical and Future Radar Animation

Accurate Forecasts

Alerting for Lightning and Severe Weather

Location-Specific Monitoring

● Weather Decision Tool● Accurate forecasts● Alerting● Relevant features and content for

mining operations

● High Availability Service● Internet and wireless● Convenient access from anywhere● Professional meteorologists

available for consultations

● Configurable features● User specific controls● Custom configurations● Custom alerting



Accurate Hourly and Daily Forecasts• All key weather parameters to support operations and

planning• Forecasts must be tuned to reality• Need global coverage• Ability to deploy local weather station for increased

accuracy

Daily


Hourly

Graphs


Global Lightning Solution with Alerting

GPSposition report

Lightning alert

Lightning Detected

Mobile Devices

Mobile Devices



Real-time Lightning Display/Detection

● Real-time detection & display of each lightning strike

● Update frequency no more than 1 minute

● Alerts & displays on PC and remote devices

● Timely, clear, reliable notification

● See exactly where lightning is occurring and know when to resume

safely



Alerting

● Location-based

● Customizable for your safety policy

● Accessible via PC, cell phone or tablets

● Early warning and all-clear alert

● Lightning countdown lets you know when it is safe to resume



Relevant Forecast Content● Industry-specific graphics and forecasts● Weather discussions created by professional meteorology staff



Wind Forecasting

Hour by Hour Wind Forecasting

Current Wind Information

Receive Alerts via Text/Email when wind exceeds your threshold



Professional Meteorologist Consultation● Should be able to consult with a professional

meteorologist to aid in decision making process, gauge forecast confidence, and assess latest weather trends.

● Must be accessible from PC application as well as mobile extensions

● Prompt answers

● Clear and actionable guidance


Mobile Apps



Global Capabilities



Long Range Outlooks for Planning


Spring Outlook March-May 2013


Weather Support for Mining Operations



Thank You!

Schneider Electric – TRDS IN CONTROL AND POWER TECHNOLOGIES AND ITS IMPACT FOR MINERAL RECOVERY RATES – SME 2013Schneider Electric – The Mine Central Control Room: From Concept to Reality – SME 2013Schneider Electric – Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations – SME 2013

Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations

Technology

Transcript of Advanced Weather Systems for Mining Operations