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AUTOMATION From far and wide, O Canada! At Agnico Eagle’s LaRonde Zone 5 one autonomous operation enabled LH517 and two TH551i trucks were delivered and later on, in the second phase, the fleet and automation system will be expanded where it has really achieved a deep partnership with the customer and proven the value of the technology in results. He says Sandvik is also starting to see a surge in greenfield projects that are including automation as a requirement for the mine design. “Implementation in brown field projects works in most cases but costs for deployment of underground networks and existing mine design can be limiting factors.” Sandvik and interoperability Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology recently announced it will develop an interoperable platform for its world-leading automation system for underground loaders and trucks – AutoMine ® . “As a world leader in underground automation, we have a responsibility to make this game-changing technology easier to implement for the mining industry,” said Patrick Murphy, President Rock Drills & Technologies, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. “While we feel that customers will achieve the highest level of performance when purchasing Sandvik equipment, we recognise the need to unlock automation’s full potential for all equipment regardless of manufacturer. Customers with mixed fleets will have the full power of AutoMine ® behind them as well.” To enable interoperability, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology will introduce the AutoMine ® Access API which will provide standard, pre- defined interfaces for connecting third party loaders and trucks for control by Sandvik’s AutoMine ® system. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of functions and procedures that allows the creation of applications that access the features or data of an operating system, application, or other service. In addition to APIs, to be compatible with AutoMine ® , third party equipment designs must conform to the functional safety requirements specified for AutoMine ® . “This API is another step in Sandvik’s journey to drive a digital ecosystem that makes mining smarter, safer and more efficient.” Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology released its Interoperability Policy in April 2018, outlining the principles by which Sandvik systems can communicate within a digital ecosystem including data accessibility, fleet data compatibility, data rights and control, and data privacy. “The addition of AutoMine ® for underground loaders and trucks to this policy is the next step in Sandvik’s continued journey to set the industry standard for mine automation and digitalisation.” Providing full service mining solutions and innovation around the world for over 55 years. EXPERIENCE • • • • Shaft Sinking Mine Development Contract Mining Raiseboring Raise Mining Underground Construction Engineering & Technical Services Specialty Services AFRICA | ASIA | AUSTRALIA EUROPE | NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA Mining Contractors and Engineers Caterpillar & Newmont work on next level of UG automation Caterpillar and Newmont Mining, with the support of Cashman Equipment Co., the Cat dealer in Nevada, last year entered a • • • • Consider it done. redpathmining.com APRIL 2019 | International Mining 27