AUTOMATION
Rajant again says are much more suited to its
networks. Rajant did not name examples but
says kinetic mesh networks are also being used
for autonomous haulage network needs.
“The other issue with LTE is if it is licensed,
there is limited bandwidth and, if unlicensed, the
channel size depends on what is available. The
LTE architecture is designed to have 1,000s of
connections all at once and all on-off all the time,
whereas video is continuous needing upstream
network capability, with LTE primarily designed for
downstream. The single point of failure remains
the LTE tower. Only we can offer very high capacity
– 300 MB data rates – and the reliability of Kinetic
Mesh connecting to any backhaul and integrating
into the layered network.”
Underground, it says it has progressed in the
market. Again, video is crucial here and is
supported well with a low latency underground
cascade of BreadCrumb wireless network nodes
as opposed to a costly leaky feeder or optic fibre
network system, as an example. As on surface, if
there is interference, Rajant mesh can switch to
another frequency immediately keeping an
autonomous fleet running.
LaRonde pushing ahead with Sandvik
Going forward, LaRonde is working with Sandvik
in terms of its autonomous fleet. Sandvik says
Agnico Eagle has chosen its fleet with AutoMine ®
for the LaRonde mine because of several
benefits, including increased fleet utilisation,
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DOWNTIME.
improved working conditions, operator safety
and productivity. The increased fleet utilisation
ensures constant performance level
enhancements and optimum use of the assets.
The mining automation system will be utilised
at LaRonde Zone 5. In the first phase, one LH517
and two TH551i trucks were delivered and later
on, in the second phase, the fleet and automation
system will be expanded. The Sandvik AutoMine ®
with an LTE communication network will allow
auto-assisted loading in the open stoping
application and dumping to the dump truck,
which will automatically haul through the ramp to
the surface. This AutoMine ® project is an
important corner stone for Agnico Eagle and acts
as a platform for LaRonde’s future successes.
Following the successful deployment of the
LTE network at LaRonde Zone 5, an LTE network
was also deployed at the LaRonde mine below
level 269 in the fourth quarter of 2018. Extension
of the network in the ramp area from level 269 to
surface and at LaRonde 3 will take place
throughout 2019. The LTE network will facilitate
the integration of automation technologies
currently being tested at LZ5 which are expected
to allow the company to maintain similar
historical productivity levels at LaRonde 3.
Integration and pilot testing of the Sandvik
automated mining equipment began in the fourth
quarter of 2018 at LZ5 and continues in 2019.
The inside track from Sandvik
IM spoke to David Hallet, Sandvik Product Line
Manager, Automation on various autonomy
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26 International Mining | APRIL 2019
questions. He says that retrofitting has already
an existing part of Sandvik’s offering and has
been for many years. “Our new UG loaders and
trucks can be purchased with automation
capabilities direct from the factory or existing
equipment in the field can be retrofit with
automation capabilities should a customer
decide to do so later on. Flexibility for our
customers is the main reason for having this
option.”
In terms of why fully automated underground
mines have not yet been achieved despite the
technology having been around for some years,
he adds: “A combination of slow adoption of the
technology of by the industry because they do
not see the value as well as safety have been the
main contributors. Most mining companies are
risk adverse and tend to prefer being a fast
follower. Now that automation has grown in
popularity and the value of automation has been
proven, customers are starting to adopt at a
faster rate and many mining companies are
adopting the technologies now that the value
and benefits of using automation have been
observed.” For mature customers, Hallet singled
out Petra’s Finsch mine, Northparkes, and Hecla’s
Casa Berardi as examples of automation sites