REMOTE MINE SERVICES
technology services capabilities and several recently acquired companies , said the acquisition enabled it to offer professional and managed services capabilities in exactly this field .
This capability has been proven of late through contracts with the likes of Roy Hill and the Port Hedland-based operation of Pilbara Ports Authority ( PPA ).
The former contract , which builds on Aqura ’ s first phase delivery of Roy Hill ’ s new Private 4G LTE network in May 2021 , will see Aqura support Roy Hill in the design , installation and commissioning of an expansion of an advanced Private 4G LTE network at its Pilbara iron ore mining operations in Western Australia .
It also solidifies Aqura ’ s track record of delivering “ leading-edge , high performance Private LTE networks underpinning the digital transformation programs of large-scale operational activities in highly remote locations ”, the company said .
Aqura Technologies CEO , Travis Young , said at the time that the extended reach of the Roy Hill Private LTE network would “ accelerate ” the realisation of benefits from its Autonomous Haulage Systems and digital transformation initiatives .
The PPA contract , meanwhile , will see Aqura design and deliver an advanced Private 4G network for the Port Hedland-based operation .
The new standalone broadband network will support PPA ’ s extensive marine digital platforms , enhance worker mobility and provide seafarers with independent high-speed connectivity when visiting the Port of Port Hedland , it said . Port Hedland is a major export facility for Pilbarabased iron ore producers .
The project has kicked off with the network planned to be live by the end of 2022 .
Aqura Chief Operations Officer , Alan Seery , said : “ Our installation of Private 4G at the Port of Port Hedland will leverage the expanded capabilities of Private 4G that will assist the PPA in driving safety , productivity and efficiency initiatives .
“ The communications network , upgradeable to 5G as technology advances , also offers more control and flexibility to support Industry 4.0 use cases and other technologies such as IoT .”
Private 4G requires the delivery of several prioritised services for a range of different enduse cases . The network leverages the embedded Quality of Service capability and high throughput of 4G and is dimensioned to ensure the extensive marine sensors network that PPA uses has reliable and robust connectivity for the safe passage of vessels through challenging waterways in the area , according to Aqura .
The private network will also enable PPA staff to access their corporate and operational systems reliably and securely from anywhere across their port operations , which enhances productivity and improves access to digital safety systems and procedures , it added .
To ensure the wellbeing and welfare of seafarers is enhanced while being restricted to their vessels at berth or at anchor , Aqura will leverage its Complete Access Network ( CAN ) platform to deliver a secure , user-friendly service .
This CAN platform also allows Aqura to set up in-room entertainment networks for remote mine sites in Australia .
Last year , the company was awarded a threeyear Managed Services Agreement along these lines to support accommodation village entertainment networks across 17,000 additional rooms in the Pilbara .
The A $ 1.4 million ($ 970,203 ) agreement with DXC Technology for a global Tier 1 miner meant Aqura was managing accommodation content access and entertainment networks across some 31,000 accommodation rooms .
Under the terms of the new agreement , Aqura worked closely with DXC Technology as the facilities manager for the respective villages .
The scope of the engagement saw Aqura ’ s inhouse specialists provide remote and field-based support to ensure the efficient operation and upgrades of the end client ’ s Video Entertainment System , network distribution and Wi-Fi networks . In addition , the Managed Services Agreement will see Aqura provide large-scale Managed Wi-Fi , Distribution networks ( Fibre-optic and DOCSIS ), MATV ( free to air TV ) and Network management platforms , which integrate to provide a seamless and positive user experience , it said .
VR- and app-backed field support
Using a new app and virtual reality training and digital inspections , Sandvik field service engineers are solving the most complex problems , no matter where in the world , according to the OEM .
The application Sandvik has developed is a central database that opens the door to all the company ’ s collective knowledge about almost
Aqura Technologies ’ Travis Young says the extended reach of the Roy Hill Private LTE network would “ accelerate ” the realisation of benefits from its Autonomous Haulage Systems and digital transformation initiatives
anything that can go wrong with a machine , according to Steve August , Global Field Support Manager with Sandvik ’ s Parts & Services Division . It is complemented with virtual reality goggles used in the field by mining technicians .
“ Whatever has happened , chances are someone in our Sandvik service team around the globe has seen it before and knows a fix ,” August said of using the app . “ You can use it to search issues , open fault tickets , look at product schematic PDFs , submit photos , watch tutorial videos ; even talk to an expert team back at base . Sometimes it ’ s good to just have a chat with someone and talk through problems together .”
COVID-19 restrictions prevented travel , and a desire to minimise the carbon footprint of field technicians means that if problems can be solved remotely , or at least fixed first time , they should be . Although initially being rolled out to Parts & Service field technicians , longer term , this type of technology could be offered to customers as well , according to Sandvik . The app uses a stateof-the-art headset with a built-in screen that shows the wearer tutorials / product guides , a microphone and earpiece to talk to product experts and cameras to show the experts back at base exactly what the technician is seeing .
In the future , there is no reason why a simple smart phone could not carry out the same task , cutting costs and widening the availability of the technology , Sandvik says .
“ Some engineers worry that they will be judged negatively if they don ’ t know how to solve a problem with a machine , but that couldn ’ t be further from the truth ,” August said . “ It ’ s more about coaching and helping than judging ; like having a really clever friend on site with you to help .
“ At the end of the day , it ’ s about empowering service technicians with digital tools so that we
94 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2022