• TECHNOLOGY
AI AND SMART SENSING IN MOTION
Edited by Leon Louw
In a world that is constantly changing , the challenges for mining companies are multiplying . More and more , new technology is seen as the answer . Canadian company Motion Metrics has been at the forefront of the technology revolution in mining .
Motion Metrics uses machine vision , artificial intelligence ,
and smart sensing to address the toughest mining challenges in the most extreme mining environments . Although the Motion Metrics team is headquartered in Vancouver , Canada , they have global offices in South Africa , Chile , Brazil , and Russia which provides localised support anywhere in the world . The company ’ s innovative solutions have been installed at more than 60 mines across six continents , including several of the world ’ s largest mining houses .
In a pandemic-ridden world , business has become increasingly challenging for mining companies . The industry is depleting more easily accessible deposits and fluctuating commodity prices have put pressure on profit margins . The mining industry routinely grapples with uncertainty and is beginning to harness Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) to increase efficiency and significantly reduce costs . The scourge of Covid-19 will rapidly accelerate this transition .
One way new technology , and more specifically , the solutions Motion Metrics offers , can help mines reduce costs , is by mitigating the risk of costly crusher obstructions with products like missing tooth detection systems for shovels and loaders . Obstructions caused by missing shovel and loader teeth are extremely costly , with the average incident resulting in 12 to 24 hours of crusher downtime .
At one site , for example , installing two missing Motion Metrics detection systems on the mine ’ s loaders prevented an estimated USD1.5-million production loss . Many large mines , especially in Africa , use these systems to keep their workers safe and avoid expensive production loss .
Particle size analysis products can also help mines become more efficient by enabling them to optimise particle size at each stage of the size reduction process . Comminution accounts for more than 50 % of the energy consumed on site , so optimising particle size at each stage of this process can increase throughput by up to 30 %. Motion Metrics offers particle size analysis products for shovels , haul trucks , conveyor belts , and in a portable format . Technologies like these that support mine-to-mill optimisation will play a critical role in speeding up the economic recovery process under these trying economic conditions .
Support for African mines It is well known that mining companies gets the most out of new technologies when they are intuitive and packaged with strong service and support agreements . Fast , localised support is therefore a core element of any customer success philosophy and an approach that aligns suppliers with the needs of their customers .
Motion Metrics has global offices on five continents , including a location in Kathu , South Africa , with dedicated technical support specialists stationed at some of the largest mines in the region .
Having regional offices makes it possible for suppliers and service providers to provide post-sale support from well-trained technical staff . The training of staff is key to success . Motion Metrics provides remote monitoring and ongoing training throughout the life cycle of their products , using their cloud-based data visualisation platform , MetricsManager pro . Staying close to customers improves the strength of relationships and positions a company as a trusted partner for future product development .
It is not only important for mining companies to make a positive contribution in the regions where they operate , suppliers also need to contribute . Motion Metrics , for instance , recently purchased 100 Rhino Gold Bars from B2Gold to support conservation in Namibia .
B2Gold produced 1 000 ounces of Namibian gold and donated the proceeds to finance black rhino conservation efforts . Between 1960 and 1995 , the black rhino population fell by 98 % across Africa . The extinction of this species would spell a loss of cultural heritage as well as economic opportunity for rural communities in northwest Namibia . Thanks to a trip through South Africa and Namibia in early February 2020 , Motion Metric ’ s CEO and founder Shahram Tafazoli learned of this crisis and has pledged that Motion Metrics plays a small part in averting this poaching crisis .
Feedback from mining companies that have successfully adopted Motion Metrics ’ technology over the last four years , has been extremely positive . This in itself indicate that the market has realised the value that innovative Artificial Intelligence and machine visionbased products can bring to their operations . According to Motion Metrics mining companies are also beginning to see how these products can help them achieve environmental targets . Sustainability should be a key focus for all future product development .
16 • African
Mining • February 2021 www . africanmining . co . za