EXPERT SYSTEMS - OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MINERALS INDUSTRY

Since the inception of expert systems in the early 1980's their application has spread to a wide variety of industries. There are now thousands of successful expert system applications providing real benefit. The medical profession was the first to utilize expert systems technology through the now classic MYCIN system. During these formative years the minerals industry was quick to identify the potential of these systems. PROSPECTOR for ore body identification was the first expert system associated with the minerals industry. Since the early years the minerals industry has embraced the new technology with an unexpected fervour. At present expert systems can be found in most areas of the mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and mining industries. Many applications are off-line or stand alone in nature, although increasingly on-line and real-time systems are appearing. The aim of this paper is lo review the current status of expert systems, both within the minerals industry and in other spheres of industry. Expert systems associated with applications as diverse as the nuclear power industry and brewing are examined. Through this review future developments and applications within the minerals industry are suggested and explored.