Data infrastructure for a tactical mine management system

An evolution in tactical mine management systems is underway, powered by IT and new management tools. This paper considers the specific data infrastructure needs for such systems that were identified in field studies in operating underground metal mines. These were formulated into a methodology to create a mine-focused information system through structured data modelling and process mapping. The importance of data items particular to mining systems became evident through this study, such as workplace, process descriptions, and details of production process outputs. Some of these new data items can be used to integrate data thereby enabling new management tools and techniques. The application of the data infrastructure design methodology at operating mines was seen to improve management's understanding of the production system and to enable the creation of tactical management tools. This paper discusses the need, principles, and specifics of designing a data infrastructure specifically for underground metal mining. It stems from a collaborative PhD study that developed a methodology to create a tactical mine management system that was applied in underground mines in the Sudbury basin, in Ontario Canada.