FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
changed substantially over the last few years compared to where it was a decade ago . New and modern interfaces , improvements to the telematics engines and optimisation algorithms are just examples . Where the real change has come is integrating into a true autonomous mining command and control system , integrating with Hexagon ’ s short-term planning , driving traffic and vehicle contention management , manned and unmanned V2X interaction management , and drive-by-wire integrations to offer an OEM-independent autonomous connected ecosystem – - more than just a stand-alone fleet management layer .”
Wenco , FMS and open autonomy – breaking down the barriers
Wenco International Mining Systems , while ultimately being part of Hitachi Construction Machinery ( HCM ), itself an OEM truck supplier , has also taken arguably one of the most innovative approaches in the industry , exemplified by its Open Autonomy approach that allows a customer to use any FMS system
( Modular , Jigsaw , Wenco etc ), along with any autonomy control system ( ASI , SafeAI , Oxbotica etc ) and any OEM truck ( Cat , Komatsu , Hitachi , Liebherr rigids or Scania and Volvo tipper trucks or combinations of these ). At the core of this is ISO 23725 , the first public interface between an AHS truck fleet and the FMS system , which is
Wenco is working with several customers and industry thought leaders to bring its Open Autonomy approach commercially to market
essentially allowing the mining industry for the first time to ‘ decouple ’ fleet management and autonomy .
MS4M – a complete provider
MS4M is a growing Peru-based provider of real-time mine management and optimisation solutions with a unique offering breadth covering a complete ecosystem of fleet management , fatigue management , proximity detection , equipment health monitoring and reporting . Its growing client base includes major operations in Latin America as well as the world class Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan while it is broadening its partnerships to bring greater flexibility for customers as automation take-up gathers pace , including a recent agreement with ASI Mining . CEO Wilder Pando told IM : “ This agreement ensures compatibility between our platforms thus providing clients with flexibility and optionality as they develop their paths towards automation in mixed fleet environments . MS4M will interface with Mobius via a bi-directional link exchanging geospatial information with optimisation and fleet management instructions .”
The MS4M ControlSense FMS system Pando says is suitable for any size mine in both owner operator and contractor scenarios . “ Our largest customer is Centerra Gold ’ s Kumtor mine , located in the Kyrgyz Republic at 4,000 m above sea level . Kumtor currently has our system installed on about 175 equipment including 100 trucks , 15 HP-GPS shovels and numerous auxiliary equipment . The system has been operating flawlessly there for over three years and has supported the delivery of productivity improvements of about 10 % over and above their previous fleet management system . This has contributed to a 25 % reduction in mining cost / tonne . On the other hand , a mining contractor in Peru has enjoyed similar benefit by being able increase production by a reported 15 %.”
With respect to differentiation from competitors , Pando says ControlSense uses a genetic algorithm which is more effective in the complex mining environment . In this rapidly changing setting , which comprises many input variables , it is positioned to make better decisions which honour production objectives ( cost or productivity ), operational requirements , and plan compliance ( including priorities , sequencing , digging limits , and planned mining cost ).
“ Blending is particularly advanced with capability extended to blend recipe determination based on shipping ( sales ) requirements . This is extended to multiple crushers with different blends derived from
This year MS4M also finalised its underground ControlSense solution and completed a successful trial
multiple sources including run of mine , stockpiles and even underground operations if present . Compaction and leach pad modules have proven to carry high utility in the construction and management of structures such as dykes and leach pads .”
This year MS4M also finalised its underground ControlSense solution and completed a successful trial . The underground solution offers 3D live graphics , scheduling and blending . MS4M will manage both Open Pit and Underground operation in one control room with common infrastructure , providing combined blending capability , consolidated production data , and many other possibilities . MS4M is currently running with this setup at Brocal base metals mine , part of Buenaventura Corp .
Finally , IM asked Pando about rapid LTE take-up in its main Peru and Chile markets : “ There are several operations that has made the move from Wi-Fi to pure and hybrid LTE . The benefits are significant , considering most mines can operate with only two access points . LTE provides fantastic coverage and does not need line of site . With LTE , the operation does not have to cater for pit changes on a regular basis . Additionally , burdens around blasting disappear in that there is no need to move access points around . One of the gold companies we work with has implemented a hybrid approach with an LTE / Wi-Fi system where Wi-Fi is only a safety net which is not really utilised . LTE provides excellent latency and bandwidth . MS4M does have customers using LTE successfully and we do receive quite a few enquiries for LTE with MS4M .”
28 International Mining | MAY 2021