STREAM Glossary

A - B - D - F - H - L - P - Q - S

A

Agent-Based Simulation (ABS)

Simulation Type: Individual entities ("agents") operate with defined behaviors, revealing more complex interactions

Key Strengths: Models more “realistic” agent choices based on rules, preferences, and conditions, and factors in the unique attributes of each agent

Mining Application: Captures unpredictable human behavior and system interactions that static models cannot address
 

Analysis

The process of interpreting data and results by systematically examining and understanding its components to gain insights and draw conclusions. This can include historical analysis, simulation of specific scenarios and results, sensitivity analysis, etc.

B

Baseline

A reference point or initial state against which other scenarios or simulations are compared, allowing for the evaluation of changes or the impact of different factors.

D

Data ingestion

Data ingestion is the process of moving data from one or more source locations to a target location optimized for in-depth analysis.

Digital twin

A virtual representation of a real-world system or process that serves as a real-time digital counterpart. It differs from a simulation in that a simulation provides insight into what could happen to the system, but a digital twin replicates what is happening to an actual specific system.

Discrete Event Simulation (DES)

Simulation Type: Models distinct events occurring at specific points in time.

Key Strengths: Analyzing process flows and throughput by tracking precise timing of events.

Mining Application: Identifying inefficiencies, optimizing resources before implementing changes

Dump location

Dynamic area where unloading or dumping occurs. This can be a spoil, crusher, stockpile, in-pit, blend point or other area where unloading of material occurs.

Dynamic area

A geographical location within the mine. Dynamic area often refer to as locations in mining. Dynamic area can be a load location, dump location, or a park location, this is classified as the dynamic area ‘type'.

F

Fleet Management System

Fleet Management System (FMS) is a suite of software and hardware used to track, monitor, and optimize the performance of mining vehicles and equipment.

H

Hang time

‘Hang time’ is the amount of time that a shovel or a digging unit might hang with a full bucket waiting to dump its ore or waste into a hauling unit.

Haul cycle

A repeated material movement cycle for haul trucks that starts with an empty haul truck and ends with the haul truck dumping the material. Once the material is dumped, the cycle starts anew.

Typical status transitions are EMPTY [travelling to load], QUEUE AT LOAD [waiting to spot\load when multiple trucks are in a queue], SPOTTING, EMPTY [traveling to loading spot], LOADING, HAULING [travelling to dump], QUEUE AT DUMP, SPOTTING LOADED, DUMPING.

L

Load location

Dynamic area where loading occurs in the mine. This can be a pit, block or dig/face location, a stockpile, surge loader location or other area where loading of material occurs.

P

Park location

Dynamic area where certain mine activities take place, such as maintenance, shift change, fueling/charging, or any other operating delays.

Q

Queuing

A haul truck is lining up behind another haul truck to perform a haul cycle action related to waiting to load or waiting to dump. Queuing can also occur at fueling or energize locations, parking areas, maintenance or other areas in the mine.

S

Scenario design

The process of creating a Scenario Template by the user that is used to run a specific scenario for a specific use case.

Simulation analysis

The actual run of simulation twin with specified set of “Scenario Templates” or default scenario types.

Simulation engine

A key component in the simulation platform that allows for the running of Simulation Twins for simulation analysis and scenarios. The simulation engine contains the mathematical algorithms and performs the simulation calculations.

Simulation model

A simulation model is a digital representation or model of a real-world system or process, used to study its behavior and predict outcomes under various conditions. 

Simulation twin

 A digital representation or model of a real-world system or process (i.e. mining site), used in simulation to study its behavior and predict outcomes under various conditions.  A simulation twin differs from a digital twin is that a simulation twin provides insight what could happen to the system, but a digital twin replicates what is happening to an actual specific system. 

Within Stream, the Simulation Twin is validated against actual (historical) or expected behaviours and combines configuration model data (e.g. behaviour profiles, road network,etc) and different user defined inputs (e.g. Mine Plans, Scheduled events) with the simulation engine to form the simulation twin.

Spotting

The process of guiding and positioning haul trucks or other mining equipment at the correct loading or dumping location.

System Dynamics Simulation (SDS)

Simulation Type: A model used to gain visibility into system behavior over time. 

Key Strength: Examines change over time through stocks, flows, and feedback mechanisms, revealing complex relationships and identifying root causes of performance issues

Mining Application: Long-term planning for operational stability, anticipating unintended consequences before they affect real-world operations