UNDERGROUND AUTOMATION
and adaptation . Regarding the sensors used on the Minetrucks , the aim is to preserve commonality with the loaders – both currently use a SICK LiDAR for example , however , Epiroc added it is open to using other LiDARs to suit specific truck use cases .
What about truck autonomy and battery and / or trolley ? “ We have started with diesel trucks because they have by far the largest installed base and the technology is much more mature . However , of course as the industry transitions to zero emissions it is in our long term roadmap to have both battery and trolley or battery-trolley autonomous machines . To automate a battery Minetruck is not that complex in the sense in that you are just swapping the power source , a bigger effort is to include the battery swapping or fast charging as parts of the autonomous cycle . Trolley applications are connected to similar challenges and we are focusing on proving the concept firstly with diesel hybrid machines before adding the autonomous functions . The fact that not even the trolley assisted haulers used in surface mining have been automated tells you that this is not easily achieved but we will get there for sure .”
On battery swapping , initially any autonomous battery trucks will still see battery swapping done by an operator , whether they are in the battery swap bay itself or via teleremote . An automated process removing the need for manual input is in early phases of development by Epiroc – Sysoev says they are applying a stepwise approach to the development and that customer priorities will influence when there will be a finalised product .
Lastly the question of mixed fleets , interoperability and autonomous trucking . “ We tell our customers we have two main goals – one is the fully autonomous load and haul cycle underground , but the other is to have a mixed fleet solution , which means mixed in the sense of being able to manage an autonomous fleet of different OEM brands of loader and truck , but also a mixed fleet in terms of autonomous machines , non-autonomous or semi-autonomous machines , and personnel . All of course without compromising on safety . We have made some progress – the project at Newcrest ’ s Cadia East in Australia , where we achieved a semi-autonomous integrated production level , is a great example , where automation capability has been adopted not only on primary load and haul fleet but on support equipment as well . For now it includes our loaders and MacLean utility vehicles , having a common safety and traffic management system .”
Sandvik autonomous trucks - seamless to surface
For years , mining operations have already been benefiting from Sandvik ’ s intelligent AutoMine unmanned mining trucks . Most recently , it has been the first to enable autonomous underground trucks to operate on the surface , plus says it is the first to add seamless truck movements through mines with the Access Control System ( ACS ). And it says it is also the first to combine fleet automation and mining process optimisation and analytics solutions as one integrated and seamless production system .
The company adds : “ Now including new functions such as OptiMine ® connectivity , upgraded Access Control System for greater flexibility , and the ability to extend the truck fleet ’ s autonomous production cycles from underground to surface tipping ; they are safer , more efficient with a lower cost per tonne . AutoMine for Trucks reduces operating costs by up to 50 % and increases production by up to 30 %.”
Autonomous trucks with Sandvik technology can now work both underground and on the surface . The system uses a seamless automatic handover between the underground and surface positioning system where trucks keep moving without stopping at the portal . After dumping , they immediately continue with the next production cycle to get another load from underground .
The third generation ACS is a generic safety solution that can be applied to different mining methods and areas . It enables the movement of machines between zones without hardware changes or complex configurations . Zones can be merged into larger automation areas or split separately to allow manual operations . Tripping a
Loading an autonomous AutoMine equipped Sandvik truck with a manual Sandvik LHD on a slightly raised level at Finsch mine
safety barrier only stops machines that are an immediate hazard in the closest zone . The fleet in other zones keeps on running .
AutoMine connects seamlessly to OptiMine , which automatically commands trucks to execute production missions , dynamically adjusting trucks based on production requirements and traffic flow . OptiMine Scheduler enables efficient production planning while OptiMine Task Management gives real-time information to improve operational productivity and profitability . With AutoMine , operators can also supervise and control multiple trucks from a surface control room anywhere within the operation . “ Mines can either get trucks that are AutoMine ready or retrofit your current fleet . Trucks powered by AutoMine can run at times when manual trucks need to wait for blast clearance , adding between four and eight production hours per day .”
There are three different platforms . AutoMine Fleet is a highly advanced automation system for a fleet of Sandvik underground loaders and trucks sharing the same automated production area . It provides automatic mission control and automatic traffic management for the equipment fleet , while system operators remotely supervise the process .
AutoMine Multi-Lite is an automation system which enables each system operator to remotely control and simultaneously supervise multiple automated Sandvik underground loaders and trucks . With AutoMine Multi-Lite each piece of equipment completes automated missions in its
78 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2022