An AgentAn Agent--Based Based System Framework for System Framework for Mine Scheduling and SimulationMine Scheduling and Simulation

M. M. ArgiantopoulouArgiantopoulou and I.K. and I.K. KapageridisKapageridisLaboratory of Mining Information TechnologyLaboratory of Mining Information TechnologyDepartment of Geotechnology and Environmental Engineering, Department of Geotechnology and Environmental Engineering, School of Technological Applications, School of Technological Applications, Technological Education Institute of Western Macedonia, Technological Education Institute of Western Macedonia, KozaniKozani, Greece, Greece

2nd International Conference "Advances in Mineral Resources Management and Environmental Geotechnology"

IntroductionIntroduction•• In todayIn today’’s mining environment, improving s mining environment, improving

production, performance, productivity and production, performance, productivity and profitability is crucial.profitability is crucial.

•• Traditional scheduling systems currently in use Traditional scheduling systems currently in use today, operate in an iterative mode constantly today, operate in an iterative mode constantly switching between scheduling and execution. switching between scheduling and execution.

•• However, the real world tends to change in ways However, the real world tends to change in ways that invalidate such advance schedules. that invalidate such advance schedules.

•• Agent systems are being used in an increasingly Agent systems are being used in an increasingly wide variety of applications, including complex wide variety of applications, including complex mission critical systems.mission critical systems.

•• In this presentation we will discuss the various In this presentation we will discuss the various components of the agent based system framework components of the agent based system framework for mine scheduling as well as the position of the for mine scheduling as well as the position of the system in the enterprise information structure. system in the enterprise information structure.

Mine Production SchedulingMine Production Scheduling•• Scheduling is required for the Scheduling is required for the

development and production development and production activities in underground and activities in underground and open pit mines. open pit mines.

•• Mine schedules commonly Mine schedules commonly consist of mining block entities consist of mining block entities with assigned processes. with assigned processes.

•• These schedule entities or These schedule entities or activitiesactivities are located in time by are located in time by a start date and duration or end a start date and duration or end date. date.

•• The process assigned to each The process assigned to each activity has particular activity has particular equipment and / or human equipment and / or human resources associated with. resources associated with.

ProcessesProcesses•• Mining operations can Mining operations can

be broken down to be broken down to smaller more distinct smaller more distinct processesprocesses. .

•• A process is a A process is a representation of an representation of an entity that performs entity that performs productionproduction--oriented oriented tasks in the real world. tasks in the real world.

•• The process concept is The process concept is central to the central to the information model of information model of the mine. the mine.

•• Because the processes Because the processes are the productive or are the productive or working entities of the working entities of the mine, the rate or mine, the rate or amount of mine amount of mine production is measured production is measured in terms of the work the in terms of the work the processes have done. processes have done.

ProcessesProcesses•• Technically, there are no restrictions on the mine entities thatTechnically, there are no restrictions on the mine entities that can be can be

set up as processes. set up as processes. •• Typically, a process is a single piece of equipment or a logicalTypically, a process is a single piece of equipment or a logical group group

of equipment that is a part of the productivity or daily operatiof equipment that is a part of the productivity or daily operations of ons of the mine. the mine.

Coal Preparation, Raw Coal Transportation, Product Coal Transportation, Reagent, Air Supply, Air Systems,Bins / Hoppers, Boxes,Breaker, Centrifuge, Chute, Classifier, Controls/Instruments, Conveyor, Cyclone, Distributor, Electrical Distribution, External, Feeders, Filter, Flotation Machine, Launders, Lube Systems, Magnet, Magnetic Separators, Piping, Pump,Reclaimer, Samplers, Screens, Sieve Bends, Spiral Loops, Stacker, Sump, Tank, Thickener, Thrower, Ventilation, Water Supply

AFC, Hydraulic Power Pack, Belt, Bin, Longwall, Development, U/G Coal, Clearance System, Shearer, Bradford Breaker, Crusher, Stage Loader, Feeder Breaker, Syntron, Continuous Miner, Shuttle Car, Roof Supports, Boot End, Monorail, Personnel Carrier, Surface Coal Clearance System, Fan

Truck, LHDs, Loader, Shovel, Dragline, Water Truck, Grader, Dozer, Fuel Truck, Fuel Station, Water Truck, Drill Rigs, Bolters, Pump, Crusher, Conveyor

Processing or Beneficiation PlantUnderground Coal MineOpen Cut or Underground Metal Mine

LocationsLocations•• Products and other materials Products and other materials

are mined from, hauled to, are mined from, hauled to, and stored in various and stored in various locations within the mine. locations within the mine.

•• A A locationlocation is a representation is a representation of a point on the mine map, of a point on the mine map, usually one that is a source or usually one that is a source or a store of material. a store of material.

•• Typically, locations are inTypically, locations are in--pits pits where material is mined from, where material is mined from, stockpiles at which material is stockpiles at which material is stacked, bins which are filled stacked, bins which are filled and subsequently emptied, and subsequently emptied, dump sites at which dump sites at which overburden is dumped, fuel overburden is dumped, fuel tanks from where fuel is tanks from where fuel is dispensed, etc. dispensed, etc.

•• Many of these will be of Many of these will be of interest to the site as they are interest to the site as they are a resource from which a resource from which material is taken out or material is taken out or accumulated in, and it may be accumulated in, and it may be necessary to maintain necessary to maintain statistics on them. statistics on them.

LocationsLocations•• The choice of locations depends on the actual structure The choice of locations depends on the actual structure

of the site and various reporting and monitoring of the site and various reporting and monitoring requirements.requirements.

•• The interaction between locations and processes is the The interaction between locations and processes is the key to storing location production information. key to storing location production information.

•• The movement of material between two locations is The movement of material between two locations is logged via the production of one or more intervening logged via the production of one or more intervening processes. processes.

ROM Stockpile, Product Stockpile, Circular Stockpile, Rectangular Stockpile, Reject Stockpile, Feed Bin

Block, Panel, Underground Bin, Ore pass, Stope

Inpit, Dump, ROM Bin, ROM Stockpile, Inpit Stockpile, ExpitStockpile

Processing PlantUnderground MinesOpen Cut Mine

Processes and Locations InteractionProcesses and Locations Interaction

Agents and AgentAgents and Agent--Based SystemsBased Systems•• Agents are autonomous and proactive Agents are autonomous and proactive

computational systems that communicate and computational systems that communicate and interact through a communication language or a interact through a communication language or a protocol.protocol.

•• These systems can be in the form of software or These systems can be in the form of software or combine electronic and mechanical hardware combine electronic and mechanical hardware through which they become aware of their through which they become aware of their operational environment and take actions to operational environment and take actions to alter it.alter it.

•• They are ideal for problem solving, decision They are ideal for problem solving, decision making, design and learning.making, design and learning.

•• Agent systems are the central research area of Agent systems are the central research area of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence domain for the Distributed Artificial Intelligence domain for more than three decades.more than three decades.

Agent Based Systems in Production Agent Based Systems in Production Planning and SchedulingPlanning and Scheduling

•• Production scheduling is a difficult problem, Production scheduling is a difficult problem, particularly when it takes place in an open, dynamic particularly when it takes place in an open, dynamic environment such as a mine.environment such as a mine.

•• Because of its complexity and its dynamic nature, Because of its complexity and its dynamic nature, the scheduling problem has been widely studied in the scheduling problem has been widely studied in the literature by various methods. the literature by various methods.

•• Agent technology has recently been used in Agent technology has recently been used in attempts to resolve production scheduling problems.attempts to resolve production scheduling problems.

•• Agent technology has been applied to resource Agent technology has been applied to resource exploration and other mining related fields .exploration and other mining related fields .

AgentAgent--Based System Framework Based System Framework for Mine Scheduling for Mine Scheduling

•• An advantage of the agent An advantage of the agent system is its ability to system is its ability to receive real time receive real time informationinformation..

•• This ability allows users to This ability allows users to handle directly possible handle directly possible changes in the production changes in the production conditionsconditions..

•• In real life application, the In real life application, the system will be able to system will be able to receive data from multiple receive data from multiple mobile and stationary mobile and stationary sourcessources..

System ArchitectureSystem Architecture•• The agent system for mine scheduling is essentially a The agent system for mine scheduling is essentially a

group of specialized agents.group of specialized agents.•• It consists of the following agents:It consists of the following agents:

–– StaticStatic agents for each material state alteration device. agents for each material state alteration device. –– LoadingLoading agents for each material loading device.agents for each material loading device.–– HaulingHauling agents for each material hauling device.agents for each material hauling device.–– ServiceService agents for each device that provides service to static, agents for each device that provides service to static,

loading and hauling agents.loading and hauling agents.–– AuxiliaryAuxiliary agents for devices performing a function outside of the agents for devices performing a function outside of the

production process.production process.–– A A system managersystem manager agent that receives the required schedule agent that receives the required schedule

and generates orders.and generates orders.–– An An order coorder co--ordinatorordinator agent for each order from the system agent for each order from the system

manager agent.manager agent.

Examples of Equipment and Agent TypesExamples of Equipment and Agent Types

LoadingFor removing materials from stockpilesReclaimers

LoadingFor placing products on stockpilesStackers

HaulingFor moving material within fixed locationsConveyors

AuxiliaryFor provision of stable power to the enterprisePower Substations

AuxiliaryOften used for dewatering operationsPumps

StaticUsed for sizing products appropriatelyCrushers

AuxiliaryTo monitor dust, wind velocity, humidity, etc. to assist with determining when to blast, etc.

Environmental Monitoring Stations

AuxiliaryFor dust controlWater Trucks

ServiceTo fuel mobile production equipment and other ancillary equipment such as 4WDs, personnel vehicles, etc.Fuel Stations

ServiceTo fuel production equipment used within the mineFuel Trucks

AuxiliaryFor levelling roads for the transport of materialGraders

HaulingTo rip and push material into pilesDozers

HaulingUsed to haul material from the pit to stockpiles, hoppers, or dump sitesTrucks

LoadingUsed to dig and load waste materials or products into trucksShovels and Loaders

HaulingUsed to move overburden in order to get to the underlying oreDrag Lines

StaticTo perform the drilling of holes within which explosives are placedDrill Rigs

Agent TypeFunctionEquipment

Agent Interaction ProtocolAgent Interaction Protocol•• The Contract Net protocol is used The Contract Net protocol is used

for the interaction between the for the interaction between the various production related agents various production related agents and the system manager. and the system manager.

•• It is based on the contracting It is based on the contracting mechanism used by business to mechanism used by business to control the exchange of goods and control the exchange of goods and services. services.

•• The contract net protocol is The contract net protocol is appropriate for connection appropriate for connection problems where we search for problems where we search for appropriate agents to work on a appropriate agents to work on a given task.given task.

•• The following actions can be The following actions can be performed by agents interacting performed by agents interacting with this protocol:with this protocol:

-- call for tenderscall for tenders-- reception and evaluation of bidsreception and evaluation of bids-- contract awarding to the agent contract awarding to the agent that winsthat wins-- reception and evaluation of reception and evaluation of contract results after completion.contract results after completion.

Tender announcement & broadcasting

Bid broadcasting

Contract assignment

System Manager AgentSystem Manager AgentThe system manager agent is the central coordinator of the The system manager agent is the central coordinator of the

entire agent based system.entire agent based system.The primary functionality of this agent includes:The primary functionality of this agent includes:•• Converting mine schedule activities to appropriate orders Converting mine schedule activities to appropriate orders

to loading and auxiliary agents.to loading and auxiliary agents.•• Selecting a tender to announce (when multiple tenders Selecting a tender to announce (when multiple tenders

are simultaneously initiated).are simultaneously initiated).•• Broadcasting tender announcements to all hauling Broadcasting tender announcements to all hauling

agents.agents.•• Receiving bids in response to a tender.Receiving bids in response to a tender.•• Identifying the best bidder.Identifying the best bidder.•• Informing hauling and loading agents of the outcome of Informing hauling and loading agents of the outcome of

bids.bids.•• Controlling and acting upon information placed on the Controlling and acting upon information placed on the

blackboard (coordination outside Contract Net) by blackboard (coordination outside Contract Net) by auxiliary, static and other agents.auxiliary, static and other agents.

Loading AgentsLoading Agents

The loading agents are generated against loading equipment readyThe loading agents are generated against loading equipment ready to to serve hauling equipment or can simply be issued for all operatioserve hauling equipment or can simply be issued for all operational nal loading equipment. Primary functionality of the agent includes:loading equipment. Primary functionality of the agent includes:

•• Acting upon orders from the system manager based on mine schedulActing upon orders from the system manager based on mine schedule e activities.activities.

•• Initiating tenders.Initiating tenders.•• Maintaining a current plan for the corresponding loading device.Maintaining a current plan for the corresponding loading device. The The

current plan consists of a temporal sequence of contracts issuedcurrent plan consists of a temporal sequence of contracts issued to to hauling agents for servicing the loading device (including orderhauling agents for servicing the loading device (including orders that s that have not been successful in attracting a bidder)have not been successful in attracting a bidder)

•• Cancelling contracts in the event of loading device breakdown orCancelling contracts in the event of loading device breakdown orslowdown in operationsslowdown in operations

•• Removing completed contracts from the listRemoving completed contracts from the list•• Creating new tenders in the event of better than expected contraCreating new tenders in the event of better than expected contract ct

execution and there being a sufficient time slot in between to eexecution and there being a sufficient time slot in between to enable an nable an additional load.additional load.

•• Placing requests for refueling by a service agent.Placing requests for refueling by a service agent.

Hauling AgentsHauling Agents

Hauling agents are generated against all operation Hauling agents are generated against all operation hauling devices.hauling devices.

The primary functionality of the hauling agent is:The primary functionality of the hauling agent is:•• Maintaining a current plan for the corresponding Maintaining a current plan for the corresponding

hauling device.hauling device.•• Making bids for announced tenders. Making bids for announced tenders. •• Making offers for orders in the internal market.Making offers for orders in the internal market.•• Dealing with deviations from the current plan.Dealing with deviations from the current plan.•• Placing requests for refueling by a service agent.Placing requests for refueling by a service agent.

Other AgentsOther Agents•• Static agentsStatic agents relate to stationary equipment relate to stationary equipment

who need to be monitored as their operation who need to be monitored as their operation indirectly affects production.indirectly affects production.

•• Auxiliary agentsAuxiliary agents are generated against are generated against stationary and mobile equipment crucial for stationary and mobile equipment crucial for maintaining appropriate working conditions in maintaining appropriate working conditions in the mine or for ensuring a continuous the mine or for ensuring a continuous productionproduction..

•• Service agentsService agents are generated against are generated against equipment used to support the operation of equipment used to support the operation of production units.production units.

•• Order coOrder co--ordinator agentsordinator agents are generated to are generated to monitor each order in the system.monitor each order in the system.

System DevelopmentSystem Development

•• The agent system is developed using a Java The agent system is developed using a Java based platform called ABLE (Agent Building and based platform called ABLE (Agent Building and Learning Environment) from IBM.Learning Environment) from IBM.

•• It is a set of tools for the development of It is a set of tools for the development of intelligent agents.intelligent agents.

•• Historical information such as mine schedules Historical information such as mine schedules and production information is combined with and production information is combined with virtual data to aid the development of the virtual data to aid the development of the system.system.

System ApplicationsSystem ApplicationsThe agent based system can be used in a mining operation The agent based system can be used in a mining operation

for the following tasks:for the following tasks:

In virtual conditions:In virtual conditions:1.1. Virtual execution of the mine schedule in order to Virtual execution of the mine schedule in order to

identify possible problems.identify possible problems.2.2. Examination of the adequacy of selected equipment Examination of the adequacy of selected equipment

for the implementation of the mine schedule.for the implementation of the mine schedule.3.3. Equipment selection for the implementation of the Equipment selection for the implementation of the

mine schedule.mine schedule.

In real conditions:In real conditions:1.1. Optimisation of available equipment usage.Optimisation of available equipment usage.2.2. Collection of production and equipment operation data.Collection of production and equipment operation data.3.3. Comparison and update of mine schedule with the Comparison and update of mine schedule with the

actual situation in the mine.actual situation in the mine.

ConclusionsConclusions•• The agent system presented can help link mine The agent system presented can help link mine

schedules to actual production in a working mine using schedules to actual production in a working mine using real time information.real time information.

•• It can help execute a mine schedule by representing all It can help execute a mine schedule by representing all operational production units and other important operational production units and other important equipment with agents and by converting all mining equipment with agents and by converting all mining activities to corresponding orders and contracts to activities to corresponding orders and contracts to agents.agents.

•• The future aims of this effort include further development The future aims of this effort include further development of the prototype system with as real data as possible.of the prototype system with as real data as possible.

•• The development of such datasets is also one of the The development of such datasets is also one of the most important steps for the successful development most important steps for the successful development and application of the agent based system.and application of the agent based system.