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ABSTRACT
The technological process applied to coal opencast mines is based mainly on a continuous technology: an excavator, long-distance belt transport and if need be, a spreader. These extensive systems are controlled remotely from central control stations. For some purposes, the visualization of the technological process using SCADA/HMI systems is insufficient. On the basis of this research, procedures for the creation of virtual models of technology, mining process and opencast mine were proposed. Virtual models are designed for the control of mining process, planning, modeling of safety and operating situations. For the control, models can be interconnected with automated systems of technological units or their technical models. Gradually individual parts of the technology were designed, interconnections were defined, and virtual models of technological units were created. The models were implemented in several environments and the result is a complete model including the opencast mine technology, surface and other objects. At interconnection to the geological and mining models of the opencast mine it is also possible to simulate a comprehensive situation in the opencast mine. In the article we describe procedures for virtual model design and solution.
Keywords: coal mining, opencast mine, modeling, visualization, virtual reality
INTRODUCTION
Information technologies and visualization play an increasingly important role in all of human activities. The first introduction of information technologies to the area of opencast mining of mineral resources was focused especially on the processing of economic agenda; later information technologies began to be applied to the modelling of geology of deposits and the terrain. On the basis of developed models, applications for production planning have been developed and introduced. Another area is that of automation of manufacturing equipment, in which development has progressed from simple automatic machines for the control of specific functions of equipment to the total control of technological units. With development in the automation and performance of computing machinery, the presentation of outputs and the visualization of technological processes are improved as well.
The current introduction of information technologies to the area of opencast mine control is directed towards the following areas:
* Economic and decision information systems
* Systems of production planning
* Production information systems
* Automation systems of technology control
* Automation systems of technical support of production.
Present-day information systems...