The potential of machine

learning
Agustin Costa gave a presentation about unlocking the full
potential of machine learning in mining

Agustin Costa presents on Day Two of Future of Mining Americas

Future Of Mining Arti cial intelligence (AI) is a machine-based system that perceives its
> Innovation environment, pursues goals, adapts to change and provides information/takes
action. Machine learning is a branch of AI based on the idea that systems can
Comments learn from data, identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human
intervention.
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Ailbhe AI and machine learning can help mining companies nd minerals to extract,
Goodbody which is a critical component of any smart mining operation. Although this is a
fairly new application of AI and machine learning, many mining companies are
excited about the prospect.

Agustin Costa, partner and managing director at the Boston Consulting Group,
told attendees at Future of Mining Americas on Tuesday that machine learning
can help us improve views on parametric studies and incorporate non-linear
impacts. He noted: "The frontier [in mining] is moving towards AI and machine
learning."
He added: "Machine learning models are typically far more accurate than
traditional methods. Machine learning doesn't need a prede ned equation but
learns from the data."

Machine learning models help us to trial decisions in a digital reality, so that the
trial and error is in a digital world rather than the real world. Costa explained:
"Building inferences is one of the most important and valuable tools [of machine
learning]."

However, while machine learning

models are valuable tools in terms of
prediction and inference, they do have
limitations in terms of data. "It is
extremely important to remember that
a machine learning model is not
Skynet," explained Costa. "It won't
answer questions that you haven't
asked; you need to give it a hypothesis,
because the model won't magically do
it by itself."

Applications
Costa gave the audience examples of the types of applications that are being
developed for machine learning in the mining industry. He noted: "Machine
learning gets into every step of the mining value chain."

For instance, in exploration, construction and acquisition it can help to nd

more deposits with less prospecting, and determine the right price to pay for an
asset. In the drill and blast area, it can improve fragmentation with better blast
design, while for load and haul it can improve maintenance performance based
on predictive analytics.

In terms of crushing and grinding, it can increase mill throughput by adjusting

operating parameters, and also quantify and eliminate throughput losses at the
mill. For concentration and smelting, it can increase recovery by adjusting
operating parameters, while also mining for processability and end-to-end
value. Finally, for marketing, it can aid in improving value realisation through
integrated planning.

Milling example
Costa gave an example of a milling operation that had bene ted from machine
learning, and explained the value unlocked as well as the challenges.
The aim was to see if it would be possible to boost performance and increase
throughput at the mill. High process variability indicated a daily upside of 10-
12% over average processing throughput, but throughput is dependent on
several input variables which was a key challenge for optimisation at the mill.

"A machine learning model allowed us to understand and optimise throughput

at the SAG [semi-autogenous grinding mill]," explained Costa.

The machine learning model allowed them to understand and experiment; in

the experiments, the input parameters were kept constant, while only one
variable (such as the ball charge) was changed. They could then observe the
di erences in the throughput, uncovering operational optimisation
opportunities.

Costa explained that the model allowed them to identify deviation from optimal
load in the SAG operations. Optimal operating parameters for the SAG mill
suggested increasing the percentage of solids and a slight reduction in weight.
Current trials are ongoing to generate up to a 6% uplift in throughput; so far an
improvement of 2.5-3% has been achieved, which Costa stated was due to
downstream bottlenecks.

Costa said that they had extracted some insights and key success factors to
boost the value capture from machine learning in mining. Firstly, it is important
to target the line ‘pain points' through hypothesis, then to get early buy-in with
data visualisation and discussion. Following this, it is advisable to perform short-
term/low-cost trial periods, and then embed results into standard operating
procedures (SOPs).

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