As the mineral sector seeks safer and more automated operations in line with the \u2018smart mining\u2019 vision, leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation is making good progress with its own digitisation strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Mike Wells, managing director of Murray & Roberts Cementation, its new projects are increasingly embracing the power of digital technology to streamline operations and drive down unit costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProgress in applying wi-fi technology to underground mines is allowing us to introduce a range of digitisation initiatives in our projects,\u201d says Wells. \u201cThis includes a condition monitoring system (CMS) to track the operating data of trackless mining machines (TMMs) in order to monitor their health.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This widens the scope for more effective predictive maintenance, and also indicates patterns in operator behaviour that management can address and improve. With modern TMMs being fitted with a higher degree of electronic control units (ECU\u2019s), all interconnected and feeding data back to the machines\u2019 control units, underground wi-fi now allows real-time data captured by the CMS data loggers to be sent to control rooms for instant analysis and action by specialist software applications <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are also applying production control systems (PCSs) \u2013 making use of heavy-duty \u2018plods\u2019 or tablets \u2013 in the cabin of machines,\u201d he says. \u201cRather than using manual paper systems, operators can have digital pre-start checklists and can log the starting and stopping of various activities underground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These technologies provide valuable information to supervisors and managers in their allocation of people, machines and other services where they are required. In particular, the real-time transmission of the data allows decisions to be taken quicker \u2013 leading to better results and greater efficiency in the application of resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fixed installation monitoring is another important element of the benefits to be leveraged from a digital communication network, he says. This relates mainly to static equipment like dirty water pumps and ventilation fans, which are central features of most mining operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy linking these systems to the mine\u2019s digital backbone, we are able to monitor their operation and importantly, also start and stop them, from a central control room,\u201d says Wells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key resource behind this strategic direction is intelligent solutions specialist Insig Technologies \u2013 recently acquired by group company Murray & Roberts \u2013 who is developing agnostic interfaces between the systems of various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are aiming for agnostic systems and data loggers that will \u2018talk to\u2019 machines from various TMM suppliers,\u201d he says. \u201cFor instance, we want to be able to activate a ventilation-on-demand functionality from a remote location. This would allow an operator to divert ventilation capacity to a heading where a blast has just taken place, facilitating more rapid extraction of fumes and facilitating quicker re-entry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Murray & Roberts Cementation has already implemented many of these innovative strategies at B2B\u2019s Otjikoto gold mine in Namibia, and will also roll them out with a battery-powered mining fleet at Ivanhoe Mines\u2019 Platreef project in Limpopo province, South Africa. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the mineral sector seeks safer and more automated operations in line with the \u2018smart mining\u2019 vision, leading underground mining contractor Murray & Roberts Cementation is making good progress with its own digitisation strategy. According to Mike Wells, managing director of Murray & Roberts Cementation, its new projects are increasingly embracing the power of digital … Continue reading TAKING THE DIGITAL ROUTE IN UNDERGROUND MINING<\/span>