Donskoy Ore Mining and Processing Plant is creating a digital twin of the Bolashak Mine

A digital twin of one of the key underground infrastructure facilities is being developed at the Bolashak Mine of Donskoy Ore Mining and Processing Plant. As part of this initiative, high-precision laser surveying was carried out along a one-kilometer skip shaft at a depth of more than 600 meters. The new technology will enable potential risks to be identified at an early stage, enhance workplace safety and support more accurate planning of mine infrastructure operations.

During the works, specialists performed laser scanning of the shaft over a length of 1,047 meters and to a depth of 627 meters. State-of-the-art equipment made it possible to capture millions of measurements and generate a detailed three-dimensional model of the facility without interrupting production operations.

The data obtained makes it possible to monitor the shaft geometry with a high degree of accuracy, assess the condition of structural elements and detect even minor deviations that may, over time, affect the performance of the hoisting system.

“Today, digital technologies are becoming an integral part of modern mining operations. We are obtaining not merely an image of the facility, but a digital model that enables us to analyze its condition, forecast changes and make informed decisions based on accurate data. This has a direct impact on work safety and the reliable operation of mine infrastructure,” said Koptileu Shukirbayev, Chief Geotechnical Engineer of Donskoy Ore Mining and Processing Plant.

The creation of a digital twin enables a shift from responding to issues after they occur to forecasting and preventing them in advance. Engineers receive a practical tool for the early identification of potential risks, more precise repair planning and the prevention of unplanned equipment downtime.

At present, the inspection has been completed on one side of the skip shaft. The next stage will involve repeated scanning from the opposite side. Once the works are completed, a full-scale digital twin of the facility will be created, forming the basis for further monitoring and analysis of its condition.