ToolFusion
📋 Case Study

Australian Gold Underground Mine: Ventilation Twin with Dynamic Control

O₂ depletion and heat stress in >1,200 m deep development drives exceeding statutory limits

🏗️ Project Overview

Telfer Mine Deepening Project, Western Australia

🎯 Challenge

O₂ depletion and heat stress in >1,200 m deep development drives exceeding statutory limits

🔧 Design Approach

CFD-based ventilation twin synchronized with real-time gas sensors and VFD-controlled fans; integrated with mine planning to predict airflow changes during new stope access

📐 Design Diagram

>1,200 m O₂ depletion & heat stress CFD Ventilation Twin Real-time sync • Dynamic control O₂/CO VFD Fan Airflow path Mine Planning Stope access forecast Air Quantity Balance Error: 1.2% CO Forecast MAPE: 8.7% (24h)

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Air Quantity Balance Error

(Supply − Exhaust)/Supply × 100
Result: 1.2%
Validates mass conservation fidelity

CO Exposure Forecast Accuracy

MAPE over 24h window
Result: 8.7%
Enables proactive fan ramp-up before thresholds breached

📊 Results

Zero regulatory non-conformance events in 18 months; 22% reduction in fan energy consumption; 35% faster response to emergency ventilation reconfiguration

💡 Lessons Learned

  • •Fan curve digitization must include aging effects
  • •CFD mesh resolution below 2m critical for dead-end drive prediction

✅ Key Takeaways

  • 1Fan curve digitization must include aging effects
  • 2CFD mesh resolution below 2m critical for dead-end drive prediction