MINING NETWORKS
being done . “ At that R & D project we are working with total visibility . It has brought together OEMs like Epiroc and connectivity companies like Ericsson with major miners like Agnico Eagle , K + S , OZ Minerals , KGHM and Boliden . We are responsible for the connectivity part ; specifically what connectivity is needed for next generation autonomous ( and electric ) equipment functionality . One focus area is intensive use of autonomous loaders and trucks to be able to work through post blasting downtime . Then you have the use of drones and sensors for monitoring for gas as well as visual observations . Another work program is focused on rock stress testing in a mixed human and autonomous environment .” The load and haul program is well advanced now , with technology vendors and OEMs looking to deploy the new capabilities into machines for commercial availability . The drones program is also advanced while the rock stress testing element is at an earlier stage .
As another discussion point , how does Ericsson operate effectively in country where mines are located ? “ It is important that new technology gets introduced consistently and commonly as there are multiple mine locations and diverse players . A lot of the dialogue we have had up to now with mines now is about ‘ the pilot mine ’ but now they are saying this is not enough , they want to talk about rollout in several of their mines across different countries . They want to know that they can be sure that the connectivity environment they have for the pilot mine will still apply for their mines in a different continent . They want to know from us that the tech applied will be the same and perform the same . This is another important discussion with the OEMs – making sure that the tech standard which the OEM expects and requires of the mine when it sells its latest autonomous equipment , is handshake with us and therefore will work in whatever countries it is required to .”
Finally , there is an important role telecomms partners . “ Increasingly the major mining houses turn to the major telecom operators they trust , and work with them to design and architect a network blueprint for their mines , with our 5G technology at its heart . They then hand over network deployment and operations to the local in-country telecomms operator with the required spectrum , which may or may not be a subsidiary of the global telecomms company that designs the blueprint . We are often the middle trusted party in that dialogue . It works smoothly as the system has been designed centrally but with the local requirements factored in .”
Rajant gets key OEM autonomous validations for Kinetic Mesh
Private LTE is by no means the only option for mines wanting to go autonomous . Rajant
Rajant and Epiroc have announced successful validation of Kinetic Mesh ® wireless networks for both semi-autonomous and autonomous drilling
Corporation , the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh ® wireless networks , has recently announced key validations for its connectivity solutions with two of the leading OEMs in autonomous mining – Epiroc and Komatsu . Rajant and Epiroc , the major equipment supplier & productivity / sustainability partner to the mining and infrastructure industries , have announced successful validation for both semi-autonomous and autonomous drilling . As part of the validation , deployment best practices guidelines were created to support the deployment of Epiroc drills with Rajant BreadCrumbs ® .
Epiroc has a permanent deployment at their test facility in South Africa to demonstrate semiautonomous and autonomous drills using Rajant BreadCrumbs . Rajant is deployed on dozens of semi-autonomous and autonomous Epiroc drills globally , some of which include semiautonomous drills at Anglo American ’ s Sishen ( iron ore ), Mogalakwena ( platinum ) and Los Bronces ( copper ) mines plus autonomous drills at Exxaro ’ s Grootegeluk coal mine .
“ Improving the operational safety and productivity of mining operations is the byproduct of Rajant Kinetic Mesh . It is the only industrial wireless network enabling machine-to-machine ( M2M ) connectivity and mobility in markets like open-pit and underground mining ,” shares Geoff Smith , EVP of Sales and Marketing for Rajant .
“ Unlike other wireless networks that are dependent on fixed infrastructure , Rajant mobile BreadCrumbs can communicate with each other allowing machines to interconnect which adds additional layers of connectivity and redundancy while Rajant networking software InstaMesh ® is self-optimising to overcome the constant environmental changes , data loads , interference , and on-the-move requirements of modern mines .”
Adds Brian Doffing , Epiroc ’ s VP of Integration : “ Rajant ’ s unique technology offering has been
instrumental in allowing our joint customers to scale their autonomous solutions . This includes not only Epiroc drills but opens the door for all connected equipment at the mine site .”
Rajant and Komatsu , developer and supplier of heavy equipment and services for the construction , mining , forklift , industrial , and forestry markets , have achieved Rajant certification for Komatsu ’ s FrontRunner ® Autonomous Haulage Solution ( AHS ). Validation for FrontRunner AHS was completed in just six months .
“ Reliable communications networks that offer continuous mobile connectivity are crucial to successful autonomous haulage operations ,” said David Haukeness , Komatsu ’ s Product Manager for autonomous systems . “ Rajant ’ s low-latency Kinetic Mesh and support for LTE and WiFi make their network a key part of our efforts to help our customers achieve their autonomous goals .”
Komatsu ’ s FrontRunner AHS uses a wealth of onboard technology and requires continuous , reliable wireless communication with the central office . Rajant Kinetic Mesh machine-to-machine ( M2M ) InstaMesh technology provides autonomous solutions like Komatsu ’ s FrontRunner AHS with higher reliability and network resiliency with low latency , which is critical to maintaining ‘ always-on ’ connectivity for autonomous machines .
Rajant is already co-deployed on Komatsu mining equipment in more than 100 mines globally and is now ready to support Komatsu ’ s autonomous solutions . “ Achieving Rajant certification with Komatsu reflects the work of many individuals and addresses a key request from our mutual customers to continue utilising both companies ’ advanced solutions ,” shares Sagar Chandra , Vice President of Sales – Americas .
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52 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2022