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Combitech , a subsidiary of Saab , has been behind some major automation leaps in underground mining , playing a significant role in a world first in mobile equipment interoperability and , more broadly , accelerating the uptake of digital solutions to remove operators from the most dangerous areas of a mine .
Some eighteen months after it , Epiroc , MacLean Engineering and Newcrest Mining integrated a remotely operated MacLean water cannon into an Epiroc automation fleet at Cadia East , in Australia , to achieve that world-first feat , IM got an update on what the company is working on from Per Åkesson , Business Area Manager , Communication , at Combitech .
IM : Combitech signed an agreement with Atlas Copco all the way back in 2017 looking at developing secure digitalised mining ops . What progress has been made on this project in the last five years ? How far has the project evolved ? PA : This agreement is what has evolved into the work we are doing with Epiroc and Scooptram Automation Total ( Epiroc was part of Atlas Copco in 2017 ).
Initially , we also developed a prototype in the digitalised mining operation domain that was based on our Situational Awareness For Enhanced ( SAFE ) security platform . It was tested and benchmarked with other similar solutions during 2018 . The decision was taken to not continue due to similar existing products within Epiroc ’ s portfolio .
Combitech developed a solution for traffic management of autonomous loaders for mines that was taken into service at the beginning of 2019 by Epiroc
simulation , test / integration , user experience , project management , etc . In addition to this , we add general competencies in areas such as connectivity , AI , Industry 4.0 and machine vision , that potentially can be merged into LKAB products or part of the mining ecosystem in the future .
Since Epiroc delivers Scooptram Automation Total to LKAB , our contribution to that product , of course , reaches LKAB as well .
IM : More recently , you have helped accelerate the automation of underground operations with Epiroc as part of the development of Epiroc Scooptram Automation Total . Could you outline what specific role you took on as part of this solution ? How integral was the Traffic Management System ( TMS ) and SAFE security platforms to its success ? PA : Combitech assists Epiroc with development of parts of the Scooptram Automation Total product . We have developed a solution for traffic management of autonomous loaders for mines that was taken into service at the beginning of 2019 . The solution has two major parts : the TMS that deals with the traffic and asset safety and the Fleet Management System ( FMS ) that is handling assignments and event logging . The FMS module is based on the SAFE platform . The solution is integrated into the mine ' s overall production management ; work orders are received , implemented and reported in priority , while the system attends to the status of other machinery and parts of the production flow , eg ore crushers and ore transportation systems .
Epiroc has – very progressively – made the interface through which the system interacts with the machines public and machines from MacLean , ASI and Bobcat have already been integrated . Orders from external orchestral management systems are today integrated on proprietary interfaces but the vison is to specify a standard , which can be used by the entire mining community around the world .
IM : Another forward-looking initiative you are involved in is the Sustainable Underground Mining ( SUM ) project – being led by LKAB . How does your work on this project build on the existing projects you have worked on with Epiroc ? What role do you have within the SUM consortium in terms of developing the digitalised , autonomous and carbon-dioxide-free mine of the future ? PA : The work performed for LKAB and the SUM project is carried out by a completely different team at Combitech than the work we are doing for Epiroc . In the SUM project , we support LKAB with system management ,
IM : Are more mining OEMs looking to use your agnostic system to accelerate their digitalisation and automation initiatives ? Can you mention any other companies / projects here and what influence Combitech ’ s technology has had on their achievements ? PA : This system we have developed for Epiroc could very well be used outside the mining sector and discussions are taking place – with Epiroc ’ s blessing – with players in other industries . But for the moment , we cannot be more specific about this . In general , we can say that the operators in several industry segments see a need for integration of systems from different OEMs and here we see the need for both standardisation and support in the integration and verification work .
As part of the Saab group , Combitech has knowledge about a very broad spectrum of technology areas such as AI , machine vision , simulation , connectivity , positioning , safety and security . We also have access to different solutions from Saab that could be reused within other industry segments . From this perspective , you might say that our strategy is to support OEMs in their product development and operators in their integration activities .
IM : More broadly , how do you see TMS and SAFE allowing closer interaction of autonomous , tele-remote and manually operated machines in an underground environment ? How close are we , for instance , to having autonomous and manual equipment operating together with no specific ‘ zones ’ for each ? Are you working on any other mining projects related to this ? PA : As an example of this type of machine interaction , we are working for Boliden where we are currently looking into the possibility to establish a safety system based on dynamic geofencing with integrity . This would make it possible to mix automated and manned vehicles . Boliden wants an open and OEM-agnostic system to make it make it possible to integrate products from different OEMs within the same platform .
digitally at a Sandvik-managed facility in Italy . Their performance will be monitored on machines in Boliden ’ s underground mines – first in Sweden ,
then in Ireland . In theory , the 3D metal parts could perform as well – or even better – than traditionally manufactured items , the OEM said , adding that the first components have been put into operation at the Garpenberg mine in Sweden ,
32 International Mining | MAY 2022