SURFACE LOADING
Remote control digging
Operator at Polyus Gold Olimpiada remotely operating a Komatsu PC3000 shovel using RCT
ControlMaster ® automation technology
The era of large remote control open pit mining shovels is almost upon us – Paul Moore reviews what is on the horizon as well as other technology news in surface loading
Up until relatively recently , the major
supplies of mining shovels and excavators were saying in relation to autonomous fleets that the loading tool was likely to be the
last thing to be automated – too complex to do , too much variation in the blasted rock , the shovel operator playing in central role in managing the AHS trucks and the loading area .
This all still holds true – but the major OEMs , from Komatsu and Hitachi to XCMG and TYHI – are opting for the next best thing … remote control mining shovels . This is mainly being driven by safety issues , such as hydraulic machines working near highwalls , but also the flexibility it gives to operators , especially in remote regions and extreme climates . Other OEMs like Caterpillar and Liebherr are playing their cards a bit closer but are also though to have active projects .
And as in underground fleet automation , there is a key role for technology companies to play here – Hitachi and Komatsu of course work closely with group companies Wenco and Modular respectively , but in the wider market others like Australia ’ s RCT have already deployed their own solutions – in RCT ’ s case at a Polyus Gold operation and at Newcrest ’ s Lihir gold mine in Indonesia . In that case RCT ' s ControlMaster ® Teleremote solutions were installed on two Cat 6050 ( delivered as Terex RH200 ) hydraulic shovels . As Lihir is located at Luise Caldera , an extinct volcanic crater that is geothermally active , Newcrest selected the technology to safeguard operators during the mining process .
Utah-based ASI Mining also has a robotic excavator offering , which came into its own after Rio Tinto ’ s Manefay slide at Kennecott Utah Copper mine in 2013 . ASI delivered six remote control excavators to operate on unstable terrain
in the Bingham Canyon pit . ASI states : “ Mechanical shovels equipped with vehicle automation technology can operate in unstable or otherwise unsafe areas while at the same time improving efficiency and productivity . NAV is a system of robotic components that installs easily into any excavator , converting it from manual to robotic control . Since most modern excavators are controlled by-wire , NAV leverages the excavator ' s existing CAN Bus system to direct vehicle functions . This way , NAV is able to control the undercarriage , boom , bucket , and monitor real-time vehicle health indicators .”
RC excavation also means another boost for simulator-based training – Komatsu-owned Immersive Technologies is already well established for training shovel operators loading AHS truck fleets so bringing this to teleremote won ’ t be that much of a leap . And Caterpillar just signed a global deal with the other main sim solutions in mining player , ThoroughTec .
Hitachi ’ s opening salvo
First out of the block was Hitachi Global Mining , announcing in July 2020 that it will be trialling “ autonomous ” ultra-large hydraulic excavators at an Australia mine site as part of a series of verification tests . The tests , set to begin from the start of the 2021 financial year ( from April 1 , 2021 ), are geared towards improving future mining site safety and productivity , HCM said .
“ The remote controlled ultra-large hydraulic excavator will be developed in order to improve the working environment and ensure the safety of operators ,” the company stated . “ This excavator will be equipped with operator support systems , such as a collision avoidance system with other mining equipment , to ensure the same level of operability as with the operator on board the machinery .”
Following the initial development , some part of the excavation and loading operation will be automated to allow a single remote operator to operate multiple ultra-large hydraulic excavators , the company said . “ The incremental development will eventually realise the ultralarge hydraulic excavators with autonomous operation features ,” HCM said .
The remote control , driving support system for manned excavators and autonomous operation features are all retrofittable onto the EX-7 series
After the Manefay slide at Rio Tinto ’ s Kennecott Utah Copper in 2013 , ASI Mining supplied technology for six remote controlled excavators
MARCH 2021 | International Mining 23