Innovation - Improving the Use of Mine Closure Data Over Time
Matt Egan
Jacobs, Spatial
Executive Summary
Jacobs has used innovation to improve the use of mine closure data over time.
A client of Jacobs’ owns and operates iron ore mining, rail and port facilities in the Pilbara Region.
Since 1999, with the assistance of Jacobs, the client has prepared annual conceptual mine closure cost estimates for each of its operations in accordance with corporate and statutory requirements. These estimates have been prepared on a first principles basis utilising quantities established from available spatial data.
Initial inventories prepared were based on analysis of 2D disturbance maps, with disturbance classified by areas with similar rehabilitation and closure requirements loosely based on the type of infrastructure and mining activity represented. With evolving mine operations, domain identification and determination of quantities was inconsistent from year to year requiring significant rework. Significant gaps and deficiencies in the data were also evident, impacting on cost estimate confidence and accuracy.
Over a 15 year period of preparing the closure cost estimates both incremental and quantum shifts have occurred in the analysis of available data, significantly improving both accuracy and confidence. These improvements have included greater understanding of the data, broader multi-disciplinary involvement and use of improved technologies.
One of the more significant improvements has been the achievement of greater transparency of reported closure costs through redevelopment of the data management framework. Initial cost estimate preparation and reporting was been centred around proprietary software for estimating. Greater flexibility in data management, transfer and access has now been achieved through a shift to a data warehouse concept.
A key benefit of the data warehouse has been the ability for direct interaction of data with multiple applications and the ability to generate client specific reports through a web-based user interface. An improved ability to apply quality control on data has also provided greater confidence in the cost estimates.
Plans to incorporate a spatially enabled user interface will also allow the client’s users to drill down into cost and associated data specific to each facility or domain.
Ultimately the data warehouse will be shifted into a client-controlled service. Key further benefits will include:
· Web-based access
· The ability to drill down and query data
· Removal of reliance on the Estimate report for data interrogation
· Flexibility to develop multiple report options