This paper describes a 3D cellular automaton (CA) for modelling ore pile formation that incorporates size segregation due to surface stratification. Ore stockpiles and bins are essential in mining operations as a buffer between the mine and the mineral processing plant, and their operation plays an important role in the overall performance of the downstream equipment. Size segregation can occur if the feed size to the pile varies over time or due to a variety of segregation mechanisms occurring in the pile itself. In particular,it can occur as a result of percolation stratification within surface flows. The structure of the newly developed CA model is described, and the simulated surface profile and size segregation response is validated through a series of laboratory-scale piles for characterizing the segregation potential of the feed particles. It is found that the model adequately describes the segregation behaviour at a range of model scales where coarse particles roll to the outside of the pile and fine particles are concentrated around the centre of the pile. Moreover, it is found that the model is sufficiently fast to use in real-time applications such as dynamic process control and digital twins.

本文介绍了一种用于模拟矿石堆形成的 3D 元胞自动机 (CA)，它结合了由于表面分层导致的尺寸偏析。矿石库存和料仓在采矿作业中是必不可少的，作为矿山和选矿厂之间的缓冲区，它们的运行对下游设备的整体性能起着重要作用。如果堆的进料尺寸随时间变化或由于堆本身发生的各种离析机制而发生尺寸离析。特别是，它可能由于地表流内的渗流分层而发生。描述了新开发的 CA 模型的结构，并通过一系列实验室规模的桩来验证模拟的表面轮廓和尺寸偏析响应，以表征进料颗粒的偏析潜力。结果发现，该模型充分描述了一系列模型尺度下的离析行为，其中粗颗粒滚到桩外，细颗粒集中在桩中心周围。此外，发现该模型的速度足够快，可以用于动态过程控制和数字孪生等实时应用。