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By S. Mathieu, R. Mennillod-Blondin, P. Cousin, N. Valle, H. Bouzahzah, P. Marion

The gold deposit of the Lapa mine has a complex mineralogical gold state with coarse and fine native gold, aurostibite and submicroscopic gold within arsenopyrite. A specific mineralogical characterization of the refractory fraction was conducted combining various techniques such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy, electron microprobe and secondary ion mass spectrometry. In parallel, the mineral processing behaviour and the recovery of the refractory gold were studied by pressure oxidation and cyanide leaching. This paper presents the mineralogical methodology developed to characterize the refractory gold distribution within arsenopyrite. These results are presented and interpreted in order to plot gold recovery versus sulphide oxidation. The comparison of the metallurgical behaviour yields predicted from the mineralogical data and the one calculated from leaching tests shows a good agreement and allows mineralogical explanations of the gold metallurgical behaviour.

Jan 1, 2011

By O`Donnell. P. J.

THE modern coal cutter is a highly developed, and to a certain extent a somewhat complicated, machine. The requisite power to cope with conditions as found must be generated by the motor with due regard to limitations in the matter of dimensions and weight. This imposes the necessity of relatively high speeds of rotation. Any factor external to the machine proper which tends to reduce the load on the motor and gearing is most important. Experience has proved that close attention to the question of cutter-chain details undoubtedly results, in practically every coal-cutting operation, in increased efficiency and reduction of power and maintenance costs. The chain is the unit of the coal cutter which most greatly affects the economical operation of the machine, and only by due consideration of conditions and by the proper selection of the right chain can best results be expected; also, intelligent care of the chain while in operation is essential if it is to give its best service. The chain is the part of the machine that carries the pick boxes or blocks, which are connected to each other by a pair of chain links. The power to drive the chain is trans-mitted by a sprocket. The chain runs in guides supported by a rigid member called a 'jib'. Figure 1 shows the various parts mentioned. The first requirement of a chain is that it cut the coal as fast as possible. The second is that it do so economically. Economy of cutting can conveniently be divided as follows: (1) Economy in power used. (2) Economy in pick life. (3) Economy ' in chain life. ( 4) Economy in jib life. (5) Economy in labour for maintenance.

Jan 1, 1936

By G. B. Hudson

Previous papers (1, 2) pertaining to the treatment of uranium-bearing ores were concerned with the flotation of the radioactive minerals. In this investigation, the application of flotation to the removal of acid-consuming minerals from uranium ores was considered. Two pitchblende-bearing ores, which, because of the presence if dolomite were abnormally high acid consumers, were studied. In both in-stances commercial reagents of widely varying fatty acid composition proved satisfactory as flotation col-lectors, particularly at a pH of 10.5, for the carbonate minerals. From an economic viewpoint, however, Neo-Fat 42-12 was favoured. A mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and citric acid was an effective depressant for the pitchblende in the ores. The tailings remaining after the removal of the dolomite by flotation contained, in one case, 88.5 per cent of the uranium in the original sample, and, in the other, 93.8 per cent. Analyses conducted on these tailings and on the original ores showed that

Jan 1, 1963

"This paper presents results of ongoing research being carried out at the University of New South Wales into improved methods for estimating rock mass strength. In this paper the rock mass strength of Hawkesbury Sandstone is assessed. An estimate is first made based on an extensive database of intact rock strength data being collated by the author and the assumption that the rock mass strength can be determined following the GSI approach. The resulting strength envelope is then compared with nine documented case studies where stress induced failure has occurred in tunnels excavated within Hawkesbury Sandstone. The case studies cover a range of conditions:• construction dates from 1880s to 2006• spans from 3.2 to 12.5 m• depths from 17 to 124 m• excavation methods of drill & blast, roadheader and TBM.Finite element modelling is used to assess the likely magnitudes of the stresses present at the time of failure. The finite element models are interrogated to provide the values of major and minor principal stresses in and around the mapped failure zone. Failure and stable points are then compared to the rock mass strength envelope(s) of Hawkesbury Sandstone derived using the Hoek-Brown criterion and spalling criteria. The Hoek-Brown rock mass strength envelope differentiates between the ‘failed’ and ‘stable’ zones remarkably well.INTRODUCTIONStress induced failures of rock masses are fortunately rare in civil tunnelling. However, when they occur they provide an opportunity to calibrate an assumed rock mass strength criterion. This paper compares an estimate of rock mass strength for the Hawkesbury Sandstone with the following cases where stress induced failure occurred in tunnels excavated within Hawkesbury Sandstone.• Cataract & Devines Tunnels of the Upper Canal (Upper Nepean Scheme)• Malabar Outfall Tunnel• Sydney liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Storage Cavern• Northside Storage Tunnel• Cross City Tunnel• Lane Cove TunnelTwo-dimensional finite element modelling is used to assess the likely magnitudes of the stresses present at the time of the failures. The principal stresses are then compared to the assessed rock mass strength envelope(s) of Hawkesbury Sandstone derived using the 2002 Hoek-Brown criterion (Hoek et al., 2002) and the spalling criterion suggested by Diederichs (2007)."

Jan 1, 2015

By A. G. Matyas

Process improvements which have reduced the lead content of slag from the Brunswick lead blast furnace are described. Microscope examination and electron microprobe analyses, supported by the results of slag settling and viscosity tests, showed that typically about 70% of the lead in the lead blast-furnace slag was present in the form of entrained prills of metallic lead. The total lead content was found to increase with the magnetic susceptibility of the slag. Measurements in the furnace settler indicated the presence of a magnetite-rich layer between bullion and slag, arising from high magnetite levels in the slag. This layer was believed to inhibit the settling of entrained lead from the slag. Tracer tests showed that the average slag residence time in the settler was less than 2 minutes. Improvements in coke quality and sizing, which led to a reduction in the slag magnetite content, and the installation of a larger settler and a continuous Roy tapper, have all contributed to a significant decrease in the slag lead content.

Jan 1, 1977

By Rita Aiello, Stan Mack, Peter Werth, Joseph McCarney, Jozef Stachulak

"Johnson Matthey has developed the first diesel particulate filter (DPF) for underground mining that controls particulate matter (PM) at the same time as maintaining emissions of NO2 at or below engine baseline levels. DPF technology is critical for controlling PM which is classified as a carcinogen, but passively regenerating systems rely on the use of oxidation catalysts that can potentially increase NO2 emissions. This paper reviews the development of low-NO2 PM control technology and the results from testing this technology underground on diesel mining equipment. KEYWORDS Decomposition catalyst, Diesel particulate filter (DPF), Diesel particulate matter, Mining Continuously Regenerating Trap (CRT®), NO2, SCR INTRODUCTION The introduction of diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology on heavy duty diesel (HDD) engines has been an important step towards addressing the clean air and health concerns for mining companies. Control of diesel particulate matter (PM) emitted from diesel engines is already being implemented for on- and off-road vehicles, and similar legislation is being prepared for mining equipment. In addition to PM, the diesel emission control strategies (DECS) also reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). Some DECS control oxides of nitrogen, or NOx, which is composed of NO and NO2. Johnson Matthey has led the development of emission control technologies for diesel engines for almost 30 years. Over the last ten years alone JM has supplied over 3 million Continuously Regenerating Trap (CRT®) DPF systems for on-road vehicles, and over 200,000 systems for off-road vehicles. The patented CRT technology combines a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) with a DPF to effectively trap harmful PM from diesel exhaust, while removing CO and HC. The DOC converts part of the engine NOx to NO2, which reacts with the trapped soot to regenerate the filter. As engines become more fuel efficient, less waste heat enters the exhaust. This can be a disadvantage for after-treatment systems as it leads to lower catalyst operating temperatures. The CRT system regenerates passively, without addition of heat, at temperatures that are typical of diesel engine exhaust. JM recently launched the Mining CRT system which integrates CRT technology with NO2 abatement to reduce PM and tailpipe NO2 from underground diesel mining equipment. This is the first technology proven to control both PM and NO2 emissions for a cleaner, healthier working environment. The Mining CRT is also cost-effective compared to other technologies."

Jan 1, 2019

By W. R. Tyson

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN for many years that alloy steels can become brittle when tempered in the range of 350-600°C, or cooled slowly after heating to higher temperatures. The metallurgical literature reveals that blacksmiths were aware as early as 1883 that water quenching was necessary after heat treatment above 600°C to avoid brittleness. It has also been known for years that the problem is associated with trace impurities; a paper in the Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute of 1894 refers to the brittle, faceted fractures that occur in steels containing arsenic, phosphorus or sulphur. However, definitive investigation of the mechanism of embrittlement has been possible only within the last decade with the introduction of new experimental techniques to investigate surfaces, especially Auger electron spectroscopy. It is now possible to study in detail the chemistry of surfaces with a resolution of an atomic layer or two, and enormous progress has been made recently in studying the segregation of impurities to grain boundaries by exposing the boundaries by fracture inside the microscope. A clear picture of the processes occurring and their interpretation is now emerging, as was particularly clear at the recent 1977 ASM Materials Science Seminar on Interfacial Segregation held in Chicago in October. Recent research in this area has pointed the way for commercial exploitation of this new knowledge and experimental technology. It is the purpose of this article to trace progress in understanding temper embrittlement and to indicate other areas where control of interfacial segregation and its effects can be important in metallurgical applications.

Jan 1, 1978

By F. M. Clement

British Columbia, unlike the Prairie Provinces, cannot lay claim to vast prairies. She can, however, claim many valleys, uplands and plateaus that are capable of marked agricultural development. It has been said that British Columbia is not an agricultural province. This may or may not be true, but at the present time agricultural production in this province stands second only to that of forestry. The industry has advanced from a total production of 8 millions in 1908 to a total production of 60 millions in 1924, a total increase of approximately 650 per cent in 16 years. In the last 10 years production has increased from 30 millions to 60 millions. No other industry can point to such a rapid development. In 1908 British Columbia imported 12 million dollars worth of foods compared to the 8 millions which were produced at home. In 1924 she imported 20 million dollars worth of foods compared to the 60 millions worth produced at home. In addition we exported foods to the value of approximately 10 million dollars. British Columbia is therefore self-sufficing in-so-far as values ar.e concerned except for approximately 10 millions of dollars. It is not to be expected that this province will ever grow all the coarse grains that she may require: these, along with certain meats, will always be a heavy item in the imports. We are concerned at the present time more with the value of the products than with the quantities produced: in other words, with quantities only in-so-far as ? quantities improve value.

Jan 1, 1925

By Albert G. Zima

THE conservation of strategic materials during war rime gives rise to many problems not commonly encountered in times of peace. During normal times, when world trade is unrestricted, we are apt to become lavish to a point of extravagance in our use of those materials which, during rime of war, become scarce owing to inadequate transportation and production facilities or because the enemy may be in position to control sources of supply. It becomes necessary, then, to enforce rationing of available sup-plies, and in some cases, where such supplies are wholly inadequate, we find we must resort to the use of substitute materials. We are now confronted with such a problem to an extent never before experienced, with the result that many of the commodities upon which our civilization depended are now either shut off completely or, because of the heavy demand occasioned by war production, are not available in sufficient quantities to meet requirements predicated on peace-time standards and manufacturing methods. It has become necessary, therefore, to make many changes, some of them very drastic indeed, to enable us to carry on our war effort effectively. This? discussion will deal briefly with one phase of this problem, namely, the conservation of alloys required in the making of steels necessary for war production. In line with a request from the War Production Board, the Technical Committee on Alloy Steels of the American Iron and Steel Institute made a study of experimental steels embodying the !east amount of alloying constituents, with the objective in mind of substituting these steels wherever possible for the standard alloy steels used heretofore. This study embraced the following phases: (1) The availability of silicon and manganese; (2) The average quantity of alloying elements recoverable from scrap; (3) The effect of increases in manganese and silicon contents on the general properties of steel; ( 4) The elements and ranges of elements which might be used to duplicate the hardenability of the steels now in use; (5) The effect of combining several elements in small quantities upon the properties of steel at various hardness and strength levels; (6) A determination as to whether or not the steels selected would suffice for general application. Working on this basis, the Committee arranged for the manufacture of several heats of steels containing various combinations of different amounts of such elements as silicon, manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. The steels thus produced were compared by hardenability tests.

Jan 1, 1943

By F. Vahdatikhaki

Simulation techniques have offered significant boosts toward a cost-and-time-optimized planning of construction projects by enabling project managers to effectively comprehend the behavior of projects. Using historic data from projects of like nature, simulation considers uncertainties involved in a project through accommodating the stochastic modeling parameters. However, the heavy reliance on the statistical data and not taking into account the context-specific features of the project cause the degradation in the realism and accuracy of the simulation models. Similarly, the extent to which a historic pattern could be retrofitted to new projects will decrease in line with the growing uniqueness of the projects and the novelty of construction methods. Furthermore, the existing real-time simulation frameworks are not capable of distinguishing the transient environmental changes, with minimal long-term impacts on the productivity, from the influential changes that will greatly impact an operation. In addition, existing simulation tools are devoid of location awareness, resulting in the inability to consider safety threats in their representation of the project. To address these issues, this research proposes a framework based on the integration of new tracking technologies used in Automated Machine Guidance (AMG) with simulation-driven 4D modeling methods. The proposed framework automates the adjustment of the simulation model based on the updated data from the site, and thus transforms simulation from a predictive tool used at the planning phase to a proactive monitoring platform usable throughout the planning and construction phases. A prototype is developed to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Aug 1, 2013

By F. Melo, M. Pawlik

Fine coal aggregation in concentrated coal-water suspensions was studied through steady-state rheological measurements. The wettability of coal particles was modified by dry oxidation of a bituminous coal. The degree of hydrophobicity was monitored using film flotation. The rheological measurements revealed that hydrophobic coal particles aggregate in aqueous suspensions, over a wide pH range, and produce slurries with high yield stresses. As the degree of coal oxidation increases, the coal particles become more hydrophilic and such suspensions exhibit lower yield stresses values. The yield stress values for suspensions prepared from oxidized/hydrophilic coal become a strong function of pH and correlate well with the surface charge as determined through electroacoustic measurements. These results indicate that the yield stress of aqueous suspensions of coal, and hence coal particles aggregation, is strongly affected by the wettability of coal particles.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Reda

Inorganic oxidizing agents of the type MeOx-z such as Chromate, Vanadate, Tungstate, and Molybdate... etc. are widely used as corrosion inhibitor. In non acidic solution these oxidizing agent are reduced on the surface of the meta, according to OX + m e + p H20 Red + n OH" In which y = (n-m)/m. The purpose of this publication is to show that for many metals the value of y for any oxidizing agent determines the possibility of that oxidizing agent being an inhibitor or activator for the corrosion process. The inhibition efficiency for other ions such as Pertecnetate and Tellurate which have not been extensively studied can be predicted. A mathematical, equation was derived to express the relationship among the concentration of oxidizing agent, degree of retardation of the corrosion process I cord cor ° (ratio of corrosion current in the solution containing inhibitor to the base solution) , ionic strength of the solution and the coefficient y. The validity of y and the mathematical, equation were verified by many experimental, works on various metals such as zinc, aluminum and steel. Al, the above research works are based on the published research works of Prof. Mikhailoviskii (from 1979 til, 1998) from the Russian Academy of Science.

Jan 1, 2010

By W. L. Nelson

The orebodies at Copper Mounta1n lie along and within a few hundred feet of the contact of an intrusive stock of gabbro with a series of bedded volcanic rocks of the Nicola formation. These. orebodies are all entirely within the volcanic series but in many cases the centre line of the orebody at depth is directly under the gabbro contact at the surface, due to a slight overhang of the gabbro. The gabbro and volcanic rocks are cut by a number of faults and fault zones which did not materially affect early mining operations, but, as undeground openings increased in size, the faults became more important factors in determining mining methods and procedure. Caving methods were adopted to take advantage of ground weakness in fault zones, and the effect of ground subsidence which resulted from the division of the ground 1nto large, independent blocks by faulting had to be considered in planning the sequence of mining of certain ore blocks. The faults have been divided into two classes: the longitudinal system and the cross faults, or 'breaks' as they are termed locally. In addition to the two classes of faults, the zones of parallel ore fracture also control mining procedure, but to a lesser degree, in regard to caving or ground subsidence. A third structural feature which influences mining procedure is the mine dyke system. The longitudinal or main fault system roughly parallels the gab? bro contact and is made up of a number of branches and auxiliary fractures. The main fault itself is essentially vertical, but there are a number of branches and fractures on each side of it which, though parallel m strike, may dip as flat as 50 degrees toward or away from the main fault. The full width of the main fault system has not been determined, but it is known to extend beyond the zone of mine workings. A marked schistosity follows the main fault and both schistosity and chloritic alteration have been noticed along the secondary faults of this system. Several prominent orebodies lie along the main fault and its branches. The influence of the main fault system on mining is probably related more to subsidence than to actual cavi.ng, although it is effective in both.

Jan 1, 1950

By P. G. Thornhill

EARLY in 1951, Falconbridge undertook a research program aimed at the development of a sulphate roasting process for the recovery of the non-ferrous rnetals from the nickeliferous pyrrhotite fraction of Falconbridge ore, in order to reduce the tonnage of iron entering the srnelter. Such a method, it was hoped, would permit a high recovery of the nickel from pyrrhotite otherwise entering the smelter feed, thus not only raising the grade of the latter and reducing its iron content, but also providing an iron oxide residue useful as a source of by-product iron ore. At an early stage in the exploratory laboratory test work it was found that the degree to which the nickel could be solubilized by the sulphating roasting treatment was limited by particle size and the ex-tent to which the pyrrhotite concentrates were freed of the nickel occurring as physically separable pentlandite, a mineral relatively difficult to roast. ( 1) Thus the program

Jan 1, 1961

By R. A. May, P. J. Brooks, W. M. Smith

"Neill and Gunter Limited (NGL) has prepared a preliminary design and a cost estimate for a ferric chloride leach plant to recover copper, lead, zinc, and silver from a typical complex sulphide ore. This plant design is specifically intended to treat unconcentrated ground ore (flotation feed), but can be readily adapted to treat bulk concentrates. Samples of ground ore and bulk concentrate were obtained from Heath Steele Mines, Miramichi, New Brunswick, laboratory testing, and preliminary process flow sheet preparation was carried out by the Research and Productivity Council in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Approximately thirty drawings have been produced, including process and equipment flowsheets, process piping and instrumentation drawings, and preliminary general arrangements. Preliminary capital and operating cost estimates were prepared for a plant that would treat 1000 t/d of crushed and ground ore to produce about 30 000 tpy of zinc. Capital and operating cost estimates were also projected for plants up to 4000 t/d of processed ore. Recoveries of 99% for zinc, 98% for lead, and 96% for copper were achieved in laboratory tests on unconcentrated ore. These recoveries were higher than the overall recoveries obtained from bulk concentrate, yielding approximately 10% more revenue.A 1000 tonne per day plant was determined to have a low return on investment, however, depending on the size and type of mining operations employed and the FCL plant throughput. DCF-ROI projections of 20% to over 30% were calculated for 100% equity financed “green field” mine, mill and FCL plant operations of 2000 t/d and higher"

Jan 1, 1997

By K. Hardy

As part of Inco's $115 million Fluid Bed Roaster SO2 Abatement Project, a new weak acid treatment plant (WATP) was constructed to treat bleed solutions from the Copper Cliff Smelting Complex gas-cleaning circuits. The WATP produces an iron-arsenic co-precipitate, termed "basic ferric arsenate" (BFA), which requires disposal in an environmentally acceptable manner. Following analysis of many potential options, the short-listed disposal alternatives were: A) Co-disposal of the BFA?gypsum sludge with rock tailings, a portion of which would be used in mine backfill, with the remainder being sent to the tailings area, and B) Co-disposal of BFA?gypsum sludge with pyrrhotite tailings in the tailings area. Testwork showed that the addition of BFA?gypsum sludge to mine backfill samples increased the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of the backfill for most samples, especially those at lower binder content ratios. Extensive analysis was conducted on samples taken from the Copper Cliff tailings area, where BFA?gypsum sludge from Inco's Copper Refining Electrowinning Department has been co-deposited with pyrrhotite tailings since 1990. Pore water samples from these areas contained very low arsenic concentrations, indicating that the arsenic had remained stable in that environment. Ultimately, co-deposition with pyrrhotite tailings was chosen as the preferred option for the disposal of BFA?gypsum sludge from Inco's new WATP.

Jan 1, 2006

By T. Orser

In 2010 Newmont made the decision to purchase a 42 foot (ft) Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mill from Metso and a 28 Mega-Watt (MW) Gearless Mill Drive (GMD) from ABB for the Conga Project in Peru. The test and study work showed that a single line 42 ft SAG mill circuit gave the most favorable project economics in comparison to an equivalently powered single line 40 ft SAG mill circuit. This paper does not address the process design or the project economics, but instead focuses on the key aspects of the SAG mill design, GMD design and the associated component manufacturing. This paper also addresses, where applicable, the potential reliability differences between the initially proposed 40 ft SAG mill and the finally accepted 42 ft SAG mill.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. J. Denny

IN November, 1932, an investigation of silicosis was undertaken at the Mcintyre Porcupine mine, Schumacher, Ont., after a discussion of the p"roblem with Sir Frederick Banting and his staff. As a result, it was decided to carry on dusting experiments with animals at the mine in a manner that would duplicate as far as possible actual industrial conditions. At that time 50 guinea pigs were placed in the crusher house tunnel of the mill where a considerable quantity of fine dust, containing approximately 35 per cent of free silica, was being constantly produced. These animals lived in this atmosphere for periods up to one year, and, while on autopsy large amounts of dust were found in the lungs, not a single case of silicosis had developed. These negative results suggested, among other things, that the mine gases might be a predisposing factor in the production of silicosis, and the results of this investigation (1) led us to undertake the study of the hydrogen-ion concentration of the condensate of the atmosphere, both in the mine and in various sections of the mill. The CO, combining power of blood serum on a series of 400 miners was also studied at this time. While these results were inconclusive, the variation in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the condensate between the surface and underground atmospheres encouraged us to investigate the effect of neutral, weak acid, and alkaline solutions on the solubility of siliceous materials. Gye and Purdy (2) were the first to point out that the chemical reaction, and not the physical presence of siliceous material, was responsible for the production of the fibrosis in silicosis. This work was investigated by Gardner and Cummings (3), who showed that the tissue reaction to quartz was definitely proportional to the size of the particle. They found that 1-3 micron particles of quartz produced an acute proliferative fibrotic response, while the 10-12 micron particles produced only a foreign-body reaction up to a period of three years. It is accepted that the dangerous silica particles retained by the lung are under 5 microns in diameter.

Jan 1, 1937

By K. A. Clark

A meeting between representatives of the Scientific and Industrial Research Council of Alberta and the Deputy Minister of Mines for Canada was held at Edmonton in May, 1929, for the purpose of formulating a co-operative plan for carrying forward studies in aid of the development of commercial methods for utilizing the bituminous sands of Alberta. It was agreed that to the Alberta Research Council should be allocated the general problem of investigation of the processes for the separating of bitumen from the sands, including studies of methods of emulsifying, dehydrating and otherwise preparing separated bitumen for industrial applications. It was further agreed that during the present year the work of the Alberta Research Council should be to continue its laboratory investigations of points of design of its separation plant; to further perfect its separation procedure; to recondition its existing separation plant at Dunvegan Yards, Edmonton, in the light of laboratory studies and to operate it for the purpose of demonstrating its efficiency; to carry on tests in emulsifying and dehydrating or otherwise preparing separated bitumen for industrial application; and on the basis of the experience gained in the operation of the preliminary plant at Dunvegan Yards to prepare and design and, as far as possible, to proceed with the erection of, a semi-commercial separation plant at a site to be chosen, probably at the bituminous sand deposits near McMurray, Alberta. This paper presents, in the main, a progress report of the carrying out of this programme.

Jan 1, 1929

By E. Rezazadeh Azar

Dump trucks are the main mean for hauling earth material within and outside of the construction and open-pit mining jobsites. The real-time monitoring of the material transportation trips is beneficial for proactive equipment management, volume estimation, and productivity measurement. The traditional manual observation is tedious, non-real-time, and expensive; therefore remote sensing technologies, namely GPS and RFID, have been employed for this reason. Ordinary construction videos are another costeffective alternative to monitor dirt loading and hauling operations in real-time. A vision-based system has been developed to recognize and count hauling trips. This system has three modules including object detection, tracking, and action recognition. This system processes videos taken from access roads in which it recognizes dump trucks and then tracks them throughout the viewfinder. The action recognition module is designed to reject false alarms and also terminate tracking. This way, the system is able to count the number of hauling trips and also record the time between each trip. Several state of the art computer vision algorithms were employed to develop this system. Some of these algorithms were modified using spatiotemporal information to minimize the inherent errors of the vision-based methods. The experimental results showed considerable performance of the system for practical application in the construction and mining sectors.

Aug 1, 2013