CANADIAN TECHNOLOGY
targeting the December quarter for all
engineering to be completed.
“Once engineering is complete, release to
manufacturing would most likely then follow in
Q1 (March quarter) 2021, and this would be
determined by shop load and market demand,”
he said.
“The end goal is to say that, if we currently
make it in a diesel version now, we will offer it in
an EV version, and be able to offer a complete EV
fleet.”
Mining a narrow vein
Having launched its new DSL-300 narrow vein
LHD at the CIM show in Montreal last year, DUX
Machinery is now reaping the benefits.
Three units – one of which left the company’s
Quebec factory in early March – are destined for
South America where the 3 t payload machine
will be navigating tight mine galleries. The unit
pictured here is equipped with a 1.1 cu.m ejector
bucket. Measuring only 1,475 mm wide, it is well-
suited for narrow-vein mining methods and is
designed to work with DUX DT-12 articulated
underground dump trucks, which have an 11 t
capacity and are only 1.83 m wide.
The standard model DUX DSL-300 comes with
Cummins QSF 3.8 EPA Tier 4 Final engine,
Having deployed another 5G-ready LTE network for Tacora Resources’
Scully iron ore mine in Labrador, Canada, Quebec-based Ambra
Solutions has, once again, singled itself out as a true leader in
telecommunications engineering.
The company believes 5G, in particular, will facilitate the
development of future mines, helping operators receive the most
productivity out of their autonomous equipment. IM put some questions
to Eric L’Heureux, President, CEO and Founder of Ambra Solutions, to
find out more.
IM: When it comes to facilitating automation of mining operations, how
revolutionary is 5G likely to be? Will the improvements in latency, for
example, enable more automation of functions currently carried out
either by teleremote or manual operation?
EL: This is true that 5G will reduce latency. However, the current
bottleneck for latency is not coming from the network but from the
video encoder on the machine being remotely operated. 5G will mostly
be helpful for increasing the amount of available bandwidth on the
upload. LTE technology has been optimised for download traffic. 5G will
provide more bandwidth on both the downlink and uplink channels,
allowing one to transfer much more data using the same amount of
spectrum.
IM: Do you envisage both 5G and LTE being used for automated mine
operations into the future? (5G for, perhaps, more flexible working areas
such as development drifts and LTE for fixed infrastructure (ore
passes))?
EL: LTE will be used for most of the areas in an underground mine. 5G
will be used in areas where a lot of remotely operated machines will be
used. 5G will more often be used in open-pit mines where all mining
equipment is located close to each other (in the same radiofrequency
beam).
IM: What type of optimal network setup is there likely to be in the ‘mine
of the future’?
EL: A mix of both 4G and 5G depending on the amount of traffic needed.
however different engine models are available
depending on customer requirements, according
to DUX.
With a proven hydrostatic drive, maximum
tramming speed of 20 km/h and a turning radius
of 1,980 mm (inside) and 3,960 mm (outside),
the compact and rugged DSL-300 is built to
operate in cramped and tight conditions.
While the standard model is already fitted with
a Tier 4 Final engine – making it compliant with
underground mining regulations in South
America – the company is currently working on
an electric-powered version, the DSL-300E, which
is likely to incorporate on-board battery charging.
Most deployments will start in 4G and will be upgraded (using software
only) to 5G. No radio swap will be needed to upgrade from 4G to 5G.
Moreover, both signals can be broadcasted simultaneously.
IM: Why do you think Canada has become one of the leading testbeds
for this technology? Is the business case for investing that much
stronger because of the depth of operations in Canada?
EL: Ambra has unlocked the spectrum accessibility preventing Canadian
mining companies having access to spectrum before. Moreover, the
skilled labour shortage in Canada has forced mining companies to find
ways to be more efficient with limited workers. Mining companies
located in Canada have been very open in adopting this new and now
proven technology.
The deeper the mine, the more time you lose during shift changes.
Remotely operating machines during shift change allows them to
operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
IM: Are mining OEMs and technology providers looking to companies
like Ambra to solve their automation challenges? In other words, will
your ability to deploy 5G-ready networks influence their ability to
provide unmanned systems/solutions?
EL: Definitely. We have been working with all OEMs so far to make their
machines compatible with 4G and 5G technologies. People are flying in
from all over the world to see LTE deployments in Canada.
IM: Anything else to add?
EL: On a final note, it would be interesting to mention the new proven
tracking system based on open standards we have developed for
underground mines. With our LTE tracking system, we can now precisely
locate any workers, mining machines and even small assets anywhere in
an underground mine.
All cap lamps are constantly connected to the LTE network and
tracked. Cap lamps can report vital information such as biometrics and
man-down detection. In addition to increased worker safety, real-time
underground tracking also allows mines to lower their operating costs
by using Ventilation on Demand systems.
The w orld l eader in ind
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48 International Mining | APRIL 2020