WORLD PROSPECTS
Polymetal and SMT Scharf sign BEV agreement
Polymetal and SMT Scharf have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a
potential strategic cooperation in
underground electric vehicles (EV) development in
line with the miner’s climate strategy.
The MoU outlines that Polymetal and SMT will
cooperate in the development, implementation and
testing of zero-emission battery EVs. Initially, the
collaboration is to be focused on mid-ranged LHDs
and trucks, with potential involvement of drill rigs
and utility vehicles in the future, Polymetal said.
IM understands Polymetal has previously tested
RDH (now owned by Scharf under RDH-Scharf)
battery-electric machines at some of its
underground mines.
Two pairs of units (an LHD and truck) are going
to be tested at Polymetal’s operations during the
one-year trial with further collaborative re-design,
signing of a distribution agreement and
The rollout of a A$6 million ($4.3 million)
autonomous drill fleet at the Tropicana gold
mine in Western Australia is believed to be an
industry first for hard-rock mining, according to the
mine’s contractor, Macmahon Holdings.
Macmahon says the use of hammer drilling
versus the more traditional rotary concept when it
comes to blasthole drilling is unique in the hardrock
space.
AngloGold Ashanti Australia (AGAA), with
support from Flanders, a technology innovator and
leader in autonomous drilling, and Tropicana
Mining Alliance partner, Macmahon Holdings, now
has five autonomous CAT MD6250 drill rigs and
seven manned rigs as part of its drilling fleet.
Mining at Tropicana, which is 70% owned and
managed by AngloGold Ashanti Australia and 30%
by IGO, is carried out by Macmahon.
The fit out of the fifth rig in August comes only
four months after the first rig was commissioned on
April 27 and incorporates the ARDVARC drill control
system with multi pass and down-the-hole modes
to provide seamless operations with the site’s
recently-installed long term evolution (LTE)
telecommunications network, Macmahon said.
The project was initiated by AGAA Manager:
Technology, Martin Boulton, who developed the
original project scope before engaging Macmahon
to further develop the business case.
He has been integral in developing the roll out
schedule and managing the various technical
linkages such as running the solution on the
Tropicana LTE platform, according to Macmahon.
This work led to the project taking out the
AngloGold Ashanti Zero HARM (Hazard & Risk
Management) Award in 2020.
“The autonomous drill fleet roll out has had
many benefits with increased operating efficiency
and asset utilisation as the equipment can operate
through lightning and inclement weather, explosive
detonation and eliminates the need for operator
fatigue breaks,” Boulton said.
establishment of an after-sales
support centre, Polymetal said,
adding that the strategic
cooperation is set to last for 10 years
with an opportunity for further
extension.
“The partnership with SMT grants
us an easy access to customisable
battery-electric vehicles which could
positively contribute to our
operating costs dynamics,
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and personnel safety at
underground mines,” Vitaly
Savchenko, COO of Polymetal, said. “It fits well into
our strategy to gradually involve EVs across the
group’s operations and marks another step towards
cutting carbon emissions by 5% in 2023.”
Polymetal’s GHG emissions from mining fleet
It also introduces a safer, risk-reduced method in
production drilling, increases asset availability and
operating efficiency, and decreases asset wear,
according to Macmahon.
While still early days, the autonomous fleet has
already recorded an 8% increase in instantaneous
penetration rates compared with the manned rigs,
along with a 14% reduction in delay times in June
compared with May.
These improvements can be attributed to the
rigs’ ability to continue to drill safely during live
blasts and lightning storm, while delays have also
been removed from water refills and shift changes,
the company said.
Tropicana Autonomous Drilling Systems
Specialist, Richard Hill, said the autonomous
project was testament to the team on site and at
Flanders, and had come a long way in a relatively
short period of time.
One person (drill controller) can operate up to
five rigs from the one console located in the
administration building at Tropicana with the
automated rigs supported by two ground crew on
the pit floor. To date, up to three rigs have been
operated from the one console.
With roster changes on a two weeks on and one
week off swing, that equates to three crews (with
one back-up per crew).
“The plan is to have six drill controllers when
fully mobilised, one main controller and a backup
per crew,” Hill said.
However, like any new concept, it was not
without some early teething problems.
The first was rod feed rates, particularly when it
came to transitional ground, but the solution came
with development of a new bit chasing logic and
the plan is to also develop an automated bit
changer that would further reduce delay times,
Macmahon said.
Another challenge was managing the
autonomous operating zones, which are currently
required to run separately from the manned rigs as
and mobile machinery at the hubs with
underground mines for 2019 were 334,000 t of CO 2
equivalent, which is 12% of the group’s total
emissions (Scope 1+ 2). www.smtscharf.com;
www.polymetalinternational.com
Macmahon and Flanders automate Cat drills at Tropicana
they were not equipped with collision avoidance
software.
“We are working on that now and within the next
couple of weeks should be able to incorporate
those in the collision avoidance, and that will then
increase our production as we will not have to
change work areas as often,” Hill said in August.
Manning has also been an issue in terms of
availability of ground crews to support the drill
controller, but the role will now be classified as an
entry-level position with a clear career pathway
progression for new entrants.
Macmahon General Manager Plant &
Maintenance, Mark Hatfield, said the company was
thrilled with the overall performance of the fleet
having achieved full conversion from design to
installation and commissioning of the drill and
remote operation centre in just eight weeks.
“The Flanders team have worked alongside our
people providing specialist support for the duration
of the trial on site, and remotely, and will work to
provide continuous improvements in the coming
months,” he said.
“The system provides an agnostic solution with
a customisable capability, with all available drill
data providing valuable insights for analysis and
improved planning, and importantly, improving site
safety conditions for our people.”
www.macmahon.com.au; www.flandersinc.com;
www.anglogoldashanti.com
6 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2020