This month’s focus
manage the mine. This is where the 6-D
and 7-D capabilities that are being built
into the project will make the real value felt.
The possibilities of autonomy have a human
face as well. Such technology will open the
mining profession to the disabled as robotics
eliminate the need to go underground.
The future beyond 3-D
A 3-D model, created for all design aspects
and reviews, is also used in virtual-reality
applications, such as virtual-operator
training and maintenance planning. But the
connectedness extends beyond that.
A 4-D model tracks construction progress on
any day, which project leaders can access via
mobile phone. “Besides being able to monitor
construction progress on my cell phone, I am
also connected with SAP on a daily basis and
know how much we are spending on the project
through a daily update. Real-time information
such as this helps us make informed decisions to
solve problems,” says Meyer.
According to Van der Bijl, drones will be
used to help in construction surveillance
where drone footage is overlaid onto the
4-D model. “We also use the drones for
volumetric measurements to enhance
traditional quantity surveying methods,” says
Van der Bijl.
The traditional dancers at the opening of the mine in Belfast were in good spirits.
These tools will further identify and exploit
opportunities in the race against the clock
when weather conditions delay construction
progress. A Lean Construction programme
for the project will unlock even greater
efficiencies. The promise of a mega project
being completed on time rings true.
Suppliers working on BIP are enjoying a
similar technology trajectory. Bulk earthworks
construction contractor Concor Infrastructure
is using digital control technology on its
machines allocated to the project’s critical
path. These systems are purpose-built to
improve efficiencies during construction, with
the resultant time and cost savings.
Johan van der Bijl, project manager at Exxaro’s Belfast Implementation Project (BIP).
Exxaro started construction of its Belfast coal mine in Mpumalanga recently. African Mining visited the site.
www.africanmining.co.za
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