A process and associated system for the improved reclamation of disturbed lands (e.g., mined lands) is disclosed. In particular, the system including a dewatering cyclone, a screw classifier, and a dewatering apparatus (e.g. a dewatering belt) arranged in series to enable rapid and cost effective dewatering of slurries containing dilute clay and sand tailings to create an improved engineered reclamation material (ERM). The ERM formed by the controlled combining of dewatered sand tailings with dilute clay slurry and with a flocculant and overburden. The ratio of clay:sand: overburden of the ERM may be achieved by balancing the solid content (Cw) and water content (1Cw) materials of the clay slurry, sand tailings and overburden. In some embodiments, the system may include at least one additional component, such as, for example, static screen(s), centrifuge(s), vibrating screens, drum screens, belt screens, belt filters, and/or other liquid-solid separation devices.

A method for improving the efficiency of a mining operation includes obtaining measurements of at least two of: a volume of mined material removed from terrain by an excavator; a volume of the mined material carried in a bucket of the excavator after removal of the material from the terrain; and a volume of the mined material deposited by the bucket in a truck tray. The method includes alerting an operator of the excavator to a possible spillage or carry-back condition if a difference between the at least two volume measurements exceeds a threshold value. Another method includes determining an optimum dipper trajectory in response to measurements of a height and radial profile of a terrain bank, a position of the excavator relative to the bank and a target volume of material to be extracted into a bucket of the dipper during the dig cycle.

A method of drilling vertical and horizontal pathways to mine for solid natural resources involves a drill bit, at least one reamer, a first plugging material, and a second plugging material; drilling a testing wellbore to a specific vertical depth with the drill bit and identifying at least one desired mining section wherein the desired mining section is associated with a corresponding vertical depth; creating a new bottom end for the testing wellbore by filling the testing wellbore up to an offset distance with the first plugging material; drilling a horizontal access hole from the new bottom end into the desired mining section with the drill bit and enlarging it with a reamer; excavating cuttings from the desired mining section through the horizontal access hole; filling the horizontal access hole with the second plugging material; and repeating the drilling, enlarging, and filling process to create a plurality of lateral holes.

Systems and methods for determining vector-ratio safety factors for wellbore tubular design are provided. Pressure and temperature data for at least one load point along a tubular component of a wellbore are obtained. An effective failure axial load expected at the load point is calculated during a downhole operation to be performed along one or more sections of the wellbore within a subsurface formation, based on the obtained data. An upper boundary and a lower boundary for the effective failure axial load are determined, based on physical properties of the tubular component at the load point. A midpoint of the effective failure axial load is calculated based on the upper and lower boundaries. A critical failure differential pressure is calculated, based on the midpoint of the effective failure axial load. A vector-ratio safety factor is calculated, based on the critical failure differential pressure relative to the effective failure axial load.

Systems and methods for determining vector-ratio safety factors for wellbore tubular design are provided. Pressure and temperature data for at least one load point along a tubular component of a wellbore are obtained. An effective failure axial load expected at the load point is calculated during a downhole operation to be performed along one or more sections of the wellbore within a subsurface formation, based on the obtained data. An upper boundary and a lower boundary for the effective failure axial load are determined, based on physical properties of the tubular component at the load point. A midpoint of the effective failure axial load is calculated based on the upper and lower boundaries. A critical failure differential pressure is calculated, based on the midpoint of the effective failure axial load. A vector-ratio safety factor is calculated, based on the critical failure differential pressure relative to the effective failure axial load.

A mine management system to mine ore in a mine including a mining area, a first mine shaft, and a second mine shaft connecting the mining area and the first mine shaft, the mine management system includes: a transporting machine loading the ore mined in the mining area and transporting the ore to a soil discharge area while traveling in the first mine shaft; a loading machine staying in the second mine shaft while a space for the transporting machine to travel therein is left inside the first mine shaft, excavating the ore in the mining area, conveying the mined ore from the mining area in an opposite direction, and loading the mined ore on the transporting machine; and a management device determining a mining area in which the loading machine is disposed based on a difference between a production plan and an actual production amount of the mine.

A mine management system to mine ore in a mine including a mining area, a first mine shaft, and a second mine shaft connecting the mining area and the first mine shaft, the mine management system includes: a transporting machine loading the ore mined in the mining area and transporting the ore to a soil discharge area while traveling in the first mine shaft; a loading machine staying in the second mine shaft while a space for the transporting machine to travel therein is left inside the first mine shaft, excavating the ore in the mining area, conveying the mined ore from the mining area in an opposite direction, and loading the mined ore on the transporting machine; and a management device determining a mining area in which the loading machine is disposed based on a difference between a production plan and an actual production amount of the mine.

An industrial machine and methods for providing automatic tilt control for the same. One method includes determining a current tooth vector of a tooth included on a bucket of the industrial machine and a current path vector of the tooth and determining a current digging angle between the current tooth vector and the current path vector. The method also includes determining a delta angle based on the current digging angle and a target angle and automatically adjusting a tilt of the bucket based on the delta angle.

An industrial machine and methods for providing automatic tilt control for the same. One method includes determining a current tooth vector of a tooth included on a bucket of the industrial machine and a current path vector of the tooth and determining a current digging angle between the current tooth vector and the current path vector. The method also includes determining a delta angle based on the current digging angle and a target angle and automatically adjusting a tilt of the bucket based on the delta angle.

A process and associated system for the improved reclamation of disturbed lands (e.g., mined lands) is disclosed. In particular, the system including a dewatering cyclone, a screw classifier, and a dewatering apparatus (e.g. a dewatering belt) arranged in series to enable rapid and cost effective dewatering of slurries containing dilute clay and sand tailings to create an improved engineered reclamation material (ERM). The ERM formed by the controlled combining of dewatered sand tailings with dilute clay slurry and with a flocculant and overburden. The ratio of clay:sand:overburden of the ERM may be achieved by balancing the solid content (Cw) and water content (1Cw) materials of the clay slurry, sand tailings and overburden. In some embodiments, the system may include at least one additional component, such as, for example, static screen(s), centrifuge(s), vibrating screens, drum screens, belt screens, belt filters, and/or other liquid-solid separation devices.