WORLD PROSPECTS
Immersive LX6 unveiled at Expomin
mmersive Technologies the world’s largest
supplier of surface and underground mining
equipment simulators, recently announced the
latest addition to its medium fidelity simulator
range. The LX6 is a brand new medium fidelity
simulator platform which offers the same value for
early stage training as the High-Fidelity simulators
such as the PRO4, and is “ideal for machine and site
familiarisation, emergency response training and
compliance training.” Compatible with a wide range
of equipment modules or Conversion Kits ® available
from Immersive Technologies, the LX6 allows sites
to expand their training throughput and extend the
utilisation of existing simulator equipment
Conversion Kits ® in a cost-effective manner.
The deployment of medium fidelity simulators such
as the LX3 and now the LX6, has become a popular
complement to high fidelity simulators such as the
PRO4 and IM360. “This combination allows mining
operations to free up their high fidelity simulators
for later stage and business improvement focused
training, while utilising medium fidelity platforms for
early stage and compliance focused training. The
result is a solution that provides the required training
throughput capacity while being cost effective.”
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The LX6 simulator was unveiled for the first
time publicly at the Expomin 2018 trade-show
in Santiago, Chile from April 23-27
where IM had a try on the simulator, set up
with a rope shovel program and controls.
“Through our industry leading technology
and extensive mining experience, we
continue to focus on driving customer safety
and profitability. LX6 is no different and
provides a cost-effective way to train, assess
and evaluate personnel in a safe and efficient
manner, minimising impact to production by
reducing the amount of in-field training time,” said
Ravitha Sukumaran, Product Manager, Immersive
Technologies.
The wide horizontal field of view on the LX6
allows truck trainees to safely transition through
intersections and become familiar with a site. It
also allows shovel and excavator operators to have
a clear view when spotting trucks. The large vertical
field of view offers great ground visibility when
digging, dozing or grading.
“Conversion Kits for the LX6 simulator are truly
interchangeable across all Immersive Technologies’
platforms, whether a High or Medium Fidelity
Sandvik TH545i adds to intelligent trucks
andvik is introducing a new intelligent
underground mining truck, the Sandvik
TH545i, delivering benefits in customer
safety, productivity and profitability. The new truck
joins the existing i-series truck family of Sandvik
TH551i and Sandvik TH663i, launched in July 2017.
The new Sandvik TH545i is designed for
intelligent mine operations and improved
productivity. Compared to its predecessor the
Sandvik TH540, the truck offers a significant
capacity increase by carrying 5 t more than the
Sandvik TH540. The truck’s standard engine power
has been increased to 450 kW from 405 kW, which
enables to maintain fast speed even with the
increased payload. The truck outer dimensions remain
the same, which allows the new upgraded truck to fit
in the same envelope as the previous model.
The robust design of the Sandvik TH545i is
inherited from the well-proven Sandvik TH540, but
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the new truck is now loaded with intelligence. The
truck features Sandvik Intelligent Control System
with data collection and reporting as standard. The
Sandvik TH545i comes automation compatible,
and can be equipped with an optional AutoMine ®
Trucking OnBoard Package. Yet another intelligent
feature is the integrated weighing system (IWS)
that is available as an option for all intelligent
IM Editor Paul Moore tried out the LX6 at the
Expomin mining show in Santiago in April
simulator our technology enables fitting any
equipment module onto a base simulator allowing
a range of different equipment to be simulated,
maximising use of your existing resources.”
The LX6 shares the same underlying technology
as the industry leading PRO4 and IM360 but with a
smaller footprint platform. “At a lower price point
than the high-fidelity simulators, the LX6 is a great
solution for expanding training capacity. Upgrade
packages are also available for existing LX3
platforms.” www.immersivetechnologies.com
Sandvik trucks, supporting improved efficiency and
ensuring full utilisation of the truck’s payload
capacity.
From a safety point of view, the new model
brings benefits to the maintenance personnel by
means of greatly improved access system to the
top of the truck and safety rails – keeping in mind
that all daily checks can be performed on the
ground level. Automation compatibility provides
the possibility to move equipment operators from
underground to other locations, which greatly
improves overall safety.
“The Sandvik TH545i complements our newly
launched i-series truck offering. We follow our
strategy, setting the industry standard, by adding
intelligence not only to our new products, but also to
existing offering,” says Wayne Scrivens, VP Product
Line, Load and Haul, Sandvik Mining and Rock
Technology. For more on underground load and haul
equipment developments, see this month’s article
on the topic. www.rocktechnology.sandvik
ABB helps boost Aktogay capacity
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4 International Mining | JUNE 2018
mine. ABB’s delivery is part of a $1.2 billion
expansion that will double the current
annual sulphide ore processing capability
at this site from 25 Mt to 50 Mt. In addition
to sulphide ore, the company also
processes around 12 Mt/y of oxide ore.
ABB will provide its ABB Ability
MineOptimize integrated process and
power control solution, which includes all
process control and electrification equipment and
infrastructure for the plant. ABB Ability
MineOptimize is a framework that encompasses
engineering, systems, applications and services
to help mining customers achieve the most
efficient design, build and op eration of any open-
pit, underground, mineral processing or refining
facility. “With digitalisation at its heart, it is the
ideal platform to fine tune new or existing
processes to reach top performance levels.”
ABB’s scope of supply for this project includes
its digital automation system ABB Ability System
BB recently won an order to deliver a
comprehensive process and power solution
that will double the capacity of KAZ
Minerals’ sulphide ore processing plant in
Aktogay, Kazakhstan. ABB Ability MineOptimize
will provide integrated process and power control
and serves as the digital foundation for new
production line.
The project is the third major order from this
customer and will re-use the engineering and
solution configuration from the company’s two
other production lines in the area. KAZ Minerals
is the largest copper producer in Kazakhstan.
The processing facilities in Aktogay produce
copper in concentrate from a nearby open-pit