FLEET MANAGEMENT
VG KARIER MFMS from VIST Group has a wide functionality and is adapted to emerging markets, with costs of implementation and maintenance on average about 1.5 lower than other vendors transmitted to the server immediately when the WiFi is available. Small mining companies can use GPRS for data transmission.
VIST says the main focus areas for its fleet management R & D are improved mineral quality control; optimisation with quality criteria; High Precision Machine Guidance; autonomous vehicles; and prediction analytics in mining equipment maintenance, production, and ore fragmentation.
In terms of real results, Severstal OLKON which produces 4.6 Mt / y of iron ore concentrate from six open pits and one underground mine saw ROI in eight months; an increase in the efficiency of its dump trucks by 12 %; a decrease in the costs for maintenance and repairs for mining equipment of 4 %; and an increase in the technical readiness coefficient of 2 %.
At the Sibuglemet Mejdurechje coal open pit which produces 6 Mt / y the mine saw an ROI of 12 months; increase in the efficiency of mining equipment of 10 %; increase in the technical readiness coefficient of 2 % and decrease in fuel consumption by 5 %.
Underground dispatch progress and deliveries
Dispatch systems are also being used more and more underground, where the benefits are just as marked. Global market player in both surface and underground FMS, Modular Mining Systems, recently announced the successful commissioning of its DISPATCH Underground 2015 Fleet Management system( FMS) at a large, high grade gold-silver mine in Sonora, Mexico.
The mine will leverage the DISPATCH Underground system’ s real-time equipment, locations, material, and crew management capabilities to automate and manage its development and production workflows. The mine will also utilise the DISPATCH Underground FMS to monitor and manage the haulage operations of nearly 50 mobile equipment units.
The mine’ s mixed-manufacturer fleet consists
of LHDs, trucks, drills, bolters, auxiliary units and foreman vehicles.“ In response to customer feedback, we’ ve expanded our underground system beyond the management of production activities to provide similar gains in the development process,” said Neil Ferreira, Product Manager Fleet Management at Modular.“ New workflow automation capabilities built for undergroundspecific mining activities and a fully redesigned user interface enable our customers to more easily manage a complex operation in a challenging environment,” he added.
Newtrax is introducing a new feature in its MineTrax system which allows the material being moved by LHDs to be monitored in real-time and stored in one central database. This feature is key for mine planning optimisation and for reliable production KPIs.
“ With MineTrax, valuable time can be saved each shift by automatically transmitting precise and accurate data about the weight and location of the loads directly to a unified database in the Newtrax central server. The ability to monitor payload activities in real-time from surface eliminates the risk of erroneous data and time wasted due to operator input both over radio and through manual log sheets. However, if needed, data about the loads can still be entered manually which gives the operators increased flexibility. This captured data can be used at any time to optimise production by providing insight on ways to reduce cycle time.”
For example, in order to be more profitable, mines need to increase the amount of ore being moved, or tonnes per hour.“ The MineTrax system integrates with mobile equipment scales to ensure that every bucket load and truck load is full before being transported to its destination. This is done by using high precision onboard loader scales that relay information through Newtrax’ s MineHop network to surface about the quantity of material being moved from point A to point B, as it is happening in real-time. With the ability to accurately monitor the weight being transported, mine operators will be able to increase the loads to the maximum capacity and in turn be more efficient. If an LHD’ s cycle time remains constant, then filling a bucket or truck by an average of 10 % more has a significant impact on tons per hour and therefore reduces costs.”
Newtrax’ s MineTrax system integrates with Loadrite’ s newest L2180 high precision loader scale. The integration with the L2180 is an aftermarket solution that can be retroactively
installed on any make and model of LHD. The Loadrite scale measures the weight of the load automatically, without the need for the operator to press any button and it does not require a 30 second wait time for the data to register, reducing delays in cycle time.
Hexagon increases Kazakhstan presence
Hexagon Mining’ s Jmineops fleet management software provides dispatchers with an interactive mine map that offers visibility on vehicle position, status and alarms.“ By using our fleet management software the dispatcher can control what’ s happening in the pit and produce accurate data. Whether it’ s time based information, where the material is being extracted, where it gets dumped, who’ s operating the equipment, how fast operators are travelling or the status of the engine.”
Recently, Hexagon says it has increased its presence in Kazakhstan after signing deals with two prominent mine sites, Bozshakol and Aktogay. Both greenfield sites are owned and operated by KAZ Minerals, a high-growth copper company focused on large-scale, low-cost open pit mining. Hexagon says that KAZ Minerals is dedicated to modernising both mine sites, and chose Hexagon Mining based not only on its technologies and services, but also the innovation offered by the greater Hexagon group. The deals also help solidify Hexagon Mining’ s business strategy in the region.
“ The reason for entering the Kazakh market was to grow the business in this strategically important region,” said Alan Bradford, Hexagon Mining EMEA Sales Director.“ We want to introduce more business solutions for Kazakhstan’ s developing economy. This emerging market fits in very well with our strategic goals for introducing innovative solutions into progressive markets. Kazakhstan is moving to best practice solutions and Hexagon empowers our partners to harness the best technologies.”
“ In our first five-year plan, Hexagon wants to contribute strongly to the technological advancement of mining in Kazakhstan,” said Bradford.“ We are prepared to invest and establish an advanced local technology hub. We will cultivate this partnership through training and by exchanging technical knowledge as the first step in a long-term engagement.”
The successful deployment at Bozshakol sees both low-precision fleet and high-precision machine guidance operating on top of WiMAX network infrastructure. WiMAX is a family of wireless communications standards, and its deployment at Bozshakol is a first for Hexagon Mining.“ By responding to the customer’ s flexible requirements, Hexagon Mining’ s field technicians and product development response team, now
34 International Mining | MAY 2016