Better Way to Build

Purpose and goal:

The project successfully achieved its objectives, including a technical solution for integrating geomorphic design software into mine planning software and a cost comparison between geomorphic and conventional deposits. The first objective was quickly achieved and pivoted to automating the geomorphic design process. This was also achieved.

Meeting our objectives allows VAST to continue driving towards our long-term, high-level project aims of an automated design process and increased adoption of a geomorphic approach in the Swedish mining industry. Expected results and effects:

A prototype using robotic process automation & computer vision technologies was developed and tested. It proved possible to automate part of the geomorphic design process. However, using these technologies alone is inadequate regarding the amount of the process that can be automated and the outcome quality targeted by the project. Future funding may be applied to investigate new technologies.

Quantitative cost data showed that the reshaping for the geomorphic test site has lower dozer costs, fuel consumption, hours and distance compared with the conventional test site. Approach and implementation:

The project was planned to be completed within 2023. However, due to the project’s pivot in WP3 it was extended by 2.5 months into 2024 to allow for the development and testing of the automation prototype.