FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Because mining operations are located in some
of the world’s most remote regions with few
reliable means of communication, iVolve’s
hardware is also equipped with in-built mesh
networking that allows for the dynamic extension
of networks. The company’s equipment uses IoT to
remain interconnected without requiring access to
a central server to help administer the network.
iVolve says its independence from OEMs
underlies its focus on supporting a wide range of
vehicles and having the ability to add new
interfaces on a regular basis. “This ensures sites
that roll out an iVolve solution have the flexibility
to support new machines as they are added to the
fleet. iVolve works differently from its competitors
in that the R&D team are agile and available to
develop customisations specific to a given
application or site’s needs. For every project,
iVolve works closely with customers and partners
to provide regular direct feedback into the
development roadmap.”
Zyfra FMS solutions from Peru to
Russia
Finnish-Russian company Zyfra Mining says it has
recently implemented, together with CT Power, a
fleet management and monitoring system in the
mining section at Chinese-owned iron ore
operation Shougang Hierro Peru, for COSAPI. This
system will allow full monitoring of operations by
increasing productivity and safety at Shougang
mine thanks to the following features: real-time
equipment monitoring, automatic truck
assignment using intelligent ad-hoc algorithms,
high precision selectivity in loading different types
of materials, high precision drilling guidance and
operator assistance.
Also included in the platform delivery are road
quality monitoring, tyre management and
machinery diagnosis, among others. “The joint
project with COSAPI is an opportunity for us to
demonstrate the advantages and competitiveness
of our technologies to mining companies in Latin
America,” said Zyfra Mining Managing Director,
Pavel Rastopshin. The news comes after recent
success in India for Zyfra, where in December
2019, Thriveni Earthmovers Private Ltd, which
through its joint venture TSMPL operates India’s
largest energy conglomerate NTPC’s flagship Pakri
Barwadih Coal Mining Project (PBCMP) in
Jharkhand, awarded Zyfra the contract to
implement its Intelligent Mine solution at the
mine.
Elsewhere, productivity at Russian Coal’s
Stepnoy Pit has increased by over 5% following
tthe installation of a VG Karier dispatching system
(now known as Zyfra OpenMine) from Zyfra Mining
for the mine’s BELAZ dump trucks. This is the first
phase of the system’s deployment. “Thanks to the
rapid installation of the system and successful
integration into our production process, we have
24 International Mining | MAY 2020
been able to get the
dispatching system up and
running just two months
after the project launch.
We have updated the
mine’s existing software by
automating its information
transmission processes.
We are now modernising
the GSM network, which
will enable us to launch
the new optimisation
module for an additional
productivity
improvement,” said Sergey
Sekletsov, Head of IT at
the Chernogorsk Branch of
Russian Coal.
Up-to-date statistical information on
transportation volumes and downtime, as well as
dump truck distances and loads are now being
transmitted to the 1C system installed at the mine.
“The deployment in Stepnoy Pit is a unique
project for us. We’ve managed to integrate our
systems very quickly with no significant additional
software optimisation. Phase 2 of the project will
boost productivity even further by increasing the
networks’ throughput capacity,” commented
Aleksandr Bondarenko, Director at Zyfra Mining.
The estimated effects after the full deployment
of Zyfra OpenMine are up to 15% increase of
productivity of shovels and dump trucks, up to 8%
reduction of equipment operating costs, 5-10%
fuel saving, up to 80% reduction of non-
technological downtime. The system is deployed
in 80 open pits with such companies as Severstal,
SUEK, Stoilensky GOK, Polymetal and others.
Stepnoy Pit is an asset of the Russian Coal
federal holding company. Located in Khakassia, it
produces D grade coal from the Chernogorsk
deposit in the Minusinsk basin. The mine
comprises seven coal seams and uses 130 and 55
t BELAZ dump trucks as process vehicles. The pit
has a capacity of 4.5 Mt of coal per year.
RPMGlobal unveils TALPAC-3D
RPMGlobal has unveiled a new addition to its
suite of mining simulation solutions, launching
TALPAC-3D to, it says, help miners unlock greater
potential value from operations. After detailed
consultation with the global user base of TALPAC,
RPMGlobal released TALPAC-3D to offer an
enhanced user experience, increased functionality
and a “stepping stone towards RPMGlobal’s other
simulation products for those looking for more
sophisticated simulation demands”, the company
said.
TALPAC-3D harnesses the functionality of
RPMGlobal’s Truck and Loader Productivity and
Cost calculator —TALPAC—with a gaming-inspired
3D user interface (UI). This makes it easier and
Fleet management and monitoring system
control room in the mining section at Chinese-
owned iron ore operation Shougang Hierro Peru
more efficient to import data, view results and
make changes to models, and in doing so,
enhances the ability for users to optimise haulage
routes and equipment selection, according to
RPMGlobal.
“TALPAC has been trusted by the mining
industry for more than four decades for its
accuracy and equipment manufacturer
independence, delivering best practice simulation
for miners, original equipment manufacturer
(OEMs), contractors and consultants,” the
company said. “Originally developed as a tool to
support truck and loader haul route calculations,
TALPAC is now used all over the globe with
thousands of users.”
TALPAC-3D builds on the extensive history and
smarts of TALPAC and applies a brand-new
graphical UI, according to the company.
RPMGlobal’s strategy has been to provide a much
richer user experience across all products with a
focus on the UI. This has translated into an
upgrade for TALPAC-3D, bringing it in line with the
RPMGlobal Intelligent Simulation suite including
HAULSIM, the Discrete Event Simulation (DES)
solution.
HAULSIM was introduced to the market over six
years ago and RPMGlobal has invested significant
resources into ensuring the UI focuses on ease of
use and intuitive controls across the entire
simulation suite, the company said.
RPMGlobal Chief Executive Officer, Richard
Mathews, said: “The solution is reflective of the
company’s commitment to taking on board client
feedback and addressing the industry’s evolving
needs.
“While TALPAC has been the de-facto standard
for the industry’s simulation needs for more than
40 years, we remain dedicated to introducing new
solutions tailored to the requirements of the
industry.”
He added: “We realised there was a need for an
innovative simulation solution providing the