Terra iQ
Mining and Exploration
In the Mining sector, 4D-iQ integrates geology data from many systems and offers data purification services when merging data sets from different sources or converting 2D data into 3D.
Geological resource deposit models and geophysical models can be imported from other systems or derived within 4D-iQ. Interactive decision support systems have been developed for solid mineral deposit geological model analysis. These models are based on the creation of probabilistic ore-body models and operational models that include cost analysis and exploration work optimization.
4D-iQ principles have been used in a variety of projects:
- coal-bed methane extraction geological models
- factor analysis of geophysical parameters
- subterranean mine model construction
- deposit pre-feasibility modeling
- software support of mining innovation techniques
Data Integration and Purification
Many diverse data sets can be integrated together from different existing systems for processing and visualization in a common 3D digital environment. In some cases, preoperational model creation implies the presence of various old-style, paper-based informational sources like maps and photos.
If required, 4D-iQ offers services to digitize and purify spatial data and integrate it into the spatial data model. Special methods of data integration include the use of geological sections, geophysical profiles and skeleton maps as well as scanning and geo-referencing geological map data.
Solid Mineral Deposit 3D Data Model Building
Integrated data models are especially required for new mineral deposit exploitation planning. For example, it is critically important to choose the safest location for shaft sinking for potassium deposits in order to mitigate risks of flooding by water from the overlying water-bearing stratums.
It is necessary to take into account sealing seam thickness from the geological model, surrounding rock fissuring derived from geophysical data, and ground-based infrastructure such as roads, local railways and buildings.
4D-iQ allows the combination of all data for planning and optimization:
- The system allows the user to create, edit and review drilling plans, simulate shaft sinking and to assess planning results in the interactive mode.
- Interactive planning of vertical, horizontal, directional or other special kinds of drilling takes into account the deposit geological structure, the deposit genesis and all nuances of specific technology and available drilling equipment.
- Additional optimization allows the user to find the most efficient plans resulting in potential and significant operational cost reductions
Geological Deposit Resource Modeling
Interactive 3D packages have been developed for solid mineral deposit geological model analysis. They assume the creation of probabilistic ore-body models and operational models that include cost analysis and exploration work optimization.
Alluvial Deposit Modeling
4D-iQ has developed algorithms of the interactive modeling of buried alluvial surfaces which identify probable alluvial diamond deposit locations. Structural distortions as the result of tectonic and erosion processes are taken into account. These algorithms can also be adapted for modeling other kinds of alluvial mineral deposits.
Subterranean Mine Modeling and Emergency Simulation
3D topology capabilities are used by 4D-iQ to simulate emergency situations in underground mines and create emergency mitigation plans. A unified model is created to integrate terrain and infrastructural data (roads, buildings), geological models and auxiliary information (hydro-geological, geophysical data).
A topological model of engineering plans is added showing the mine structure, the tunnel system structure, chambers and drifts and airway locations. 4D-iQ has successfully developed engineering models that embraced more than 90,000 topologically connected spatial engineering objects.
The described technology has been applied to potassium mines, where mine dynamic flooding variant analysis systems has been built. They also take into account gas bubble formation at the time of mine flooding as well as gas bubble evolutionary development. Pressure estimation of the compressible gas can be assessed at every point of the mine.
Surface Mining of Oil Sands
Ambercore technology is ideally suited to modeling and simulation of alternative scenarios in surface mining of oil sands.
Using scientific algorithms and high resolution data sets of the terrain, mathematical models are applied to dynamically simulate surface mining processes and apply alternative scenarios to:
- optimize and model contained tailings
- reduce costs of overburden and tailings disposal
- effectively plan environmental reclamation
- maximize economic oil sands recovery
