FLEET MANAGEMENT
Modular management
IM spoke to Modular Mining ’ s Neil Ferreira , Director Product Strategy about how its technology is keeping up with fast moving changes in the mining industry
Q What take up have you had to date with the Modular APIs and can you give any examples ? A There are four Modular Mining Application Programming Interfaces ( APIs ) being used globally by our customers . The APIs enable bidirectional communication among our DISPATCH ® Fleet Management System ( FMS ), ProVision ® Machine Guidance System and select third-party technologies . Examples of our APIs in use include the following : n A copper and molybdenum mine in Peru uses the Crusher API to retrieve crusher status , bin levels , and feed rate . With this real-time crusher information , the mine uses the Core API to divert trucks from the crushers , as needed , which enables the mine to control queuing at the crushers . n A copper mine in Canada uses the Heavy Mobile Equipment ( HME ) Aftermarket API to integrate real-time shovel bucket material sensor data with the DISPATCH FMS . which helps the mine to reduce misdirected loads and drive improved overall metal recovery . n An iron ore mine in Australia uses the Payload System API to provide shovel operators with bucket-by-bucket payload metrics and real-time truck payload targets to help improve loading accuracy while consolidating data from multiple systems . n A gold and silver mine in Mexico plans to implement the Core API to facilitate data exchange between the DISPATCH FMS and their supervisory and control systems to reduce manual operator input and automate the collection of time usage data .
Q As DISPATCH has evolved along with FrontRunner , are there aspects of fleet management functionality and design that have " filtered " down to the benefit of DISPATCH for conventional fleets ? Has there been some convergence of the two - DISPATCH for autonomous fleets and " standard " DISPATCH ? A There is a single DISPATCH system solution for managing both manual and autonomous fleets . The DISPATCH FMS optimisation engine provides truck assignments to help efficiently meet the mine plan targets . When the FrontRunner Autonomous Haulage System ( AHS ) is present , it will use the DISPATCH FMS assignments to control and navigate the autonomous fleet according to the FMS execution plan . This tight integration with the AHS eases the transition for sites wanting to move toward autonomous operation . Sites are not required to re-implement any part of the DISPATCH system , making the process as simple as installing FrontRunner and configuring the connection between the FMS and the AHS . From a fleet management perspective , Modular Mining is able to implement the DISPATCH system once , after which both manual and autonomous deployments are supported .
Q Fleet management will be a crucial part of making zero emissions fleets work from a mine planning point of view - can you give some insight into how DISPATCH will change and is changing to make zero emissions fleets a reality - is the main focus of this making charge management possible in a 24 / 7 mine ? A Modular Mining has several initiatives underway to address the “ zeroemissions ” fleet requirements . We have embarked on an energy optimisation project that will enable sites to leverage traditional and alternative energy fuels , in parallel . One such contributor in our pursuit of more sustainable operation is the DISPATCH 6 system ’ s Trolley Assist
A pantograph-equipped Komatsu 860E electric-drive truck . Modular Mining ' s DISPATCH 6 system ' s Trolley Assist module helps equipment operators determine the most effective times to raise or lower the pantograph .
module . Available for several years , the Trolley Assist module helps equipment operators determine the most effective times to raise or lower the pantograph . When the pantograph is engaged and connected to the overhead power lines , the truck ’ s diesel engine goes into idle mode , which burns fuel at a much lower rate to greatly reduce CO 2 output . The module also tracks and measures operator engagement and disengagement compliance , and the time and distance the truck travels under the trolley line . The Trolley Assist module has been successfully deployed to several mines in Africa . We see trolley assist as being an integral part of the global zero-emissions initiative as it is complementary to the battery-electric initiative underway with most OEMs .
Q For smaller mines that do not necessarily want an advanced network infrastructure - what does Modular offer to allow to them to get similar FMS benefits ? A The DISPATCH system is deployed in mines running 20 trucks up to 300 +. While full network coverage across the entire site is recommended , Modular Mining has a way to help mines lower their infrastructure costs through specialised systems architecture . When equipment units travel through areas without network coverage , our Store & Forward technology collects and stores the FMS data on our in-cab mobile devices until network connectivity is re-established . At that time , the data is automatically forwarded to and integrated with the DISPATCH FMS ’ central database . When Store & Forward is active the DISPATCH system continues to perform as usual , with no disruption to the users ’ normal workflows .
Q Are challenges created by mixed fleets ? A Most mine sites operate with mixed fleets . The DISPATCH FMS is brandagnostic , meaning it can monitor and manage production and auxiliary equipment units from all major original equipment manufacturers ( OEMs ). This enables us to help our customers that have mixed fleets enhance their operations , better achieve their planning objectives and increase their equipment utilisation . Interoperability is of utmost importance to our customers , and thus our technology is developed to work with different makes to help our customers achieve their interoperability goals .
42 International Mining | MAY 2022