Ventilation is one of the most critical aspects of underground mining. It provides fresh air throughout the mine, eliminating contaminants like dust, diesel exhaust, and gases released during blasting. These contaminants pose significant health risks to workers and can create dangerous conditions if not properly managed.
Mines rely on a complex network of ventilation ducts and fans to distribute air. Powerful fans push fresh air from the surface into the mine, while secondary fans strategically direct airflow to necessary areas. The aim is to maintain a constant flow of clean air, ensuring all parts of the mine are adequately ventilated.
However, managing this system is challenging. Mines often allocate 25% to 40% of their energy resources to power ventilation systems. Optimizing these processes is vital to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Additionally, strict regulations mandate minimum airflow rates to ensure worker safety. For instance, Quebec’s mining health and safety regulations require underground mines to supply fresh air at a minimum rate of 15 m³ (529.7 ft³) per minute for each worker underground.
Traditionally, underground ventilation management has been a labor-intensive process. Technicians manually measure airflow at various points, requiring physical descent into the mine. These measurements, conducted weekly, must be repeated whenever ventilation system changes occur. The collected data is compiled into reports to ensure compliance with safety standards.
This manual process is time-consuming and prone to inefficiencies. Mines often over-ventilate to compensate for potential air leaks in the extensive duct network. While this approach ensures safety standards are met, it results in excessive energy consumption and higher operational costs. Furthermore, reliance on manual measurements limits the ability to respond swiftly to changes, as ventilation network issues are sometimes hard to detect visually.
Recognizing the need for a more efficient and responsive ventilation management system, ONX Automation developed the VORTEN project. This innovative solution leverages modern technologies to automate underground ventilation monitoring and management, reducing manual intervention and enabling real-time data collection.
The VORTEN system includes several key components:
The VORTEN project is structured into eight phases, each designed to gradually develop and deploy the system in a real mining environment:
Beyond immediate cost savings and productivity gains, VORTEN demonstrates the economic and technical feasibility of advanced ventilation systems. Its adoption can significantly reduce energy consumption and the mining industry’s carbon footprint, contributing to overall sustainability.
The VORTEN project marks a significant advancement in underground ventilation management. Through cutting-edge technology, ONX Automation addresses inefficiencies and challenges of traditional systems, enhancing safety, reducing costs, and increasing productivity.
ONX’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with industry partners like Eldorado Gold, Mécanicad, and Lynkz underscores the importance of collective efforts in advancing the mining sector. As VORTEN progresses through its phases, its potential to positively impact the industry becomes increasingly evident, showcasing a future where technology and innovation drive safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mining practices.
