As the sole Bulgarian mine taking part in the ambitious X-Mine research project, Assarel-Medet has been able to take full advantage of Orexplore’s technology – the GeoCore X10® and Orexplore Insight software – since July, 2020. The speed of assembly, training and data collection has proven to be a welcome support in the mine’s mission of identifying and collecting copper ore. This ability to collect and share data, across borders and through internet access only, has also been extremely useful during this difficult time with the Covid-19 pandemic. As Assarel-Medet geologists discovered, remote access still means full access and a user-friendly experience from beginning to end.
“It allows us to study many details of the drill core which cannot be seen macroscopically; in oriented drilling, this technology can be very helpful in planning further exploration and mining.”
Desislav Ivanov
Assarel-Medet JSC Mining and Processing Complex is the first and largest Bulgarian company for open pit mining and processing of copper ore, providing around 50% of the national production of this vital metal. It’s also the only Bulgarian company which forms part of the large-scale European X-Mine research project.
On July 30, 2020, Orexplore’s GeoCore X10® drill core scanner arrived at Assarel-Medet. Its ease of set-up and use – being both portable and remote accessible – provided the mine with a new ally in the search and identification of copper ore, especially during these times of travel and meeting restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Once on-site, the team conducted an online training with an Orexplore instructor for radiation safety, handling of the machine, loading and operation of the device.
“The whole installation took no more than an hour and a half and is completely functional online. At a later stage, online training was provided to work with specialised software for the implemented technology, which takes roughly two hours.”
Desislav Ivanov
“The whole installation took no more than an hour and a half and is completely functional online. At a later stage, online training was provided to work with specialised software for the implemented technology, which takes roughly two hours. The pilot version offers a wide range of studies of the material rock composition. It allows us to study many details of the drill core which cannot be seen macroscopically; in oriented drilling, this technology can be very helpful in planning further exploration and mining,” said Desislav Ivanov, a Geologist at Assarel-Medet.
Since receiving the machine, Assarel-Medet has been producing useful geological data, as can be seen in this video – showing the mine and how the drill core scanner and the geological information it produces is used in the mining process. After deployment, the remote access capabilities of the GeoCore X10® makes it easy to install any upgrades and adjust the device for local requirements and geological settings.
Spotlight: Assarel-Medet JSC expertise and supporting infrastructure
Assarel-Medet JSC processes about 14,5M tons of ore per year, ensuring sustainable and stable development and production through utilisation of the mineral raw materials of the Assarel deposit. The company is certified and works in compliance with the three major international standards – for quality management, environment protection and occupational safety and health. As a proud representative of socially responsible Bulgarian businesses, Assarel-Medet JSC fulfils its work transparently and in dialogue with all interested parties.
Exploration: near and in mine exploration
Drilling: surface
Mining: open pit
Processing: flotation, separation, milling
Metallurgy: solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW)
Modelling: resource modelling, 3D modelling, datamine RM,
Analytics: quality control lab, chemical analysis lab, X-ray lab
Waste management: tailing facilities – overburden dump and tailings dam
Water treatment: environmental monitoring of water, air, noise, vibrations, soils
Safety monitoring of the slope stability in the mine
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