MULTI CRITERIAL MODELLING OF OIL SHALE MINING FIELDS

Veiko Karu, Aire Västrik, Ingo Valgma

Department of Mining, Tallinn University of Technology
e-mail: veiko.karu@ttu.ee

Hypothesis
Modelling of distribution of mining technology Spatial modelling
Digital planning gives possibility to prognosticate and take more parameters and conditions into consideration than now
with simplified, subjective decision-making process. Coordinating criteria and methodology allows decreasing expenses
Abstract both in mining and planning. The experiences, gained in this field, can be used for other similar deposits elsewhere.
Different databases and software programs can be used together, but this requires local research of mining and geological
The research needed for sustainable mining should be performed in
conditions and creating suitable methods
nature but the large scale tests are complicated. It is the world stan- Environmental restrictions can be taken into account in digital mining modelling
General mining modelling software can be improved with options for shallow flat laying deposits
dard, that these studies are performed by computer modelling. The
Created methodology can be used elsewhere with similar mining conditions
main task for modelling is to find suitable criteria and demonstration For evaluating short and long term need for mineral resources, all mining possibilities have to be analysed with objective
criteria considering perspective reserves, limitations, hydrogeological conditions, geological structure, and tectonic con-
ways.
ditions.
Modelling is relatively new approach for planning new and analysing Plans and possibilities to use the area It is possible to extract minerals in populated areas with suitable technology with adequate cost

abandoned mines. Modelling itself is convenient way for choosing and Mined out area
The expected results of digital planning performed in the study are:
selecting and visualising the results but deciding for optimal modelling Kohtla-Järve
Kohtla-Järve
• Effective usage of information
Kukruse
Kukruse • Increasing of databases functionality
Põhja-Kiviõli Surface mines
Käva
Käva 22
method and software is complicated task. ljaste
Uljaste Põhja-Kiviõli • The methodology of acquiring information, optimal saving and usage methodics depending on multifunctional re-
Küttejõu
Küttejõu
Kaevandus
Kaevandus 22 Surface mines quirements
Vana
Vana Kohtla
Kohtla Kaevandus
Kaevandus 44
There are three main tasks for modelling to solve, mining technology, Kiviõli
Kiviõli
Kohtla
Kohtla
Tammiku
Tammiku • The production of statistical data and indicators for decision making
Aidu
Aidu
Sompa
Sompa
• New outcomes (designs, theme maps, queries, redistricts)
mining development, mining influence. The future of digital Uus
Uus Kiviõli
Kiviõli
Ahtme
Ahtme • The long term scenarios of oil shale and limestone mining, technological solutions of mining with respect to environ-
planning Sonda
Sonda Viru
Viru
Narva
Narva mental and social needs
• Elaboration of the method of the creating sustainable mining conditions and environment is basic research with prac-
Most of the geological and Ojamaa
Ojamaa
Mining in 2006 tical application of sustainable mining.
Methods mine software are universal. Mining development until 2025 Estonia
Estonia • Theoretical background and innovativeness
Oandu
Oandu
Some of them are specific • Currently mining modelling software exists but not applied in Estonia, our experience enables to develop and imple-
There are several mining software programs, that are either freeware (different which are meant for example Tudu
Tudu
viewers), independent (GEMCOM Surpac and Minex, MapInfo, AutoCAD,
Seli
Seli
ment it
only for gas and petroleum Puhatu
Puhatu
• Mining Department of TUT owns good but not absolute database for Estonian mining-technology and geotechnics
ESRI etc.) or additional programmes (Discover, Map X etc.). Besides that, deposits. These are regularly • The research creates new level for solving environmental problems in shallow, flat laying mineral deposits
there are online softwares (EduMine etc.). There are problems in the compati- with limited user rights and Underground mines • Evaluating mineral resources will be performed in multifaceted technical-ecological way
bility of the projects, because there are so many different softwares and institu- very expensive.
Peipsi
Peipsi
Permisküla
Permisküla

tions use different software systems. Developing co-operation, there are diffi-
culties in connection and transition of data. A problem like this poses an eco-
nomical problem – the designers have to have as much different software as
possible for the co-operation to work.
Optimal mining software package for oil shale
The purpose of the laboratory of mining design and planning is applying min-
ing software systems, testing and developing them in scientific and teaching
process. The laboratory contains from software, databases, methods, hardware
with necessary equipment (scanners, printers, plotters, savers, presenters, serv-
ers). Website http://mi.ttu.ee/mgislabor
Following world most used mining modelling software has been set up in the
laboratory:
1. Gemcom Minex – modelling stratified deposits
2. Gemcom Surpac – modelling mining processing and workings
3. Visual ModFlow; AquaChem- groundwater flow and quality modelling
4. MapInfo Professional, Discovery, MapBasic - GIS
5. Vertical Mapper- spatial modelling
6. Encom Discover- spatial modelling for mining environment
7. AutoCAD Civil 3D- planning
8. FLAC- rock massive modelling
9. PLAXIS- geotechnical spatial modelling
10. Mining specific software (parameters of pillars, productivity, mining
equipment cooperation and fleet calculations, Caterpillar and Mining Depart-
ment of TUT)
Digital planning provides:
• Effective use of information
• Database functionality
• Getting and preserving information by originating from different needs.
• Indicators for making decisions.
• Mine models which reflects future scenarios of oil shale underground mine effects to surface landscape.
TUT Department of Mining has started development research
which several parts can be solutions to the study-, science- and
development projects:
• TUT Department of Mining utilities mining software in
student exercises- solving different problems.
• Software complex use- same inputs and outputs for differ-
ent software
• Simple and correct data transmission between software.
• Particular finding solutions for Estonian deposit charac-
teristic problems.
• GIS data compact collection and preserving. Example of plan on the mined area. Geotechnical problems in sewage project
• Assuming that development research will be useful first
of all to the Estonian mine industry and mine companies:
• Giving recommendations for all Estonian mine planning
companies to use one certain software solution and direc- Acknowledges
tion. Mine visualization: Ashes’s open pit This study is part of ESF Grant ETF6558.
• Creating necessary criteria for mine studies and for de-
posit research