FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Sandvik has designed Newtrax MDP as an open data platform without boundaries
events have occurred, and operational adjustments are implemented with delay.
Many mines continue to operate with fragmented systems, where planning data, production reporting, and machine telemetry exist in parallel rather than in alignment. This creates inconsistencies that require manual reconciliation and reduce confidence in reported performance.
Sandvik says it approaches this challenge by building the capability to bring together multiple data sources into a single environment, where they can be aligned, compared, and understood in context.“ Rather than treating each system as an isolated source of truth, the Newtrax Mining Data Platform( MDP) can integrate data from other sources, enables a unified view of operations, grounded in the comparison of planning, execution, and performance data.”
“ Our focus is on operational empowerment, and we’ ve designed Newtrax MDP as an open data platform without boundaries,” said Lior Herman – Head of Newtrax Mining Data Platform & AI, Business Unit Automation, Digital Mining Technologies, Sandvik.“ It’ s not limited to Sandvik data or specific applications. If data exists- whether from planning, machines, or third-party systems – we can integrate it, model it, and validate it to create a unified, reliable operational view”.
This principle was recently put to the test through the integration of a short-interval control planning system with Newtrax MDP. The objective was straightforward: compare manual operator-reported data with automated machine-reported telemetry under identical conditions.
The datasets were aligned across the same machines, the same shifts, and the same reporting periods. Within days, a direct connection was established between the planning system’ s reporting database and the data platform, enabling the
42 creation of dashboards that presented both datasets side by side. What emerged from this comparison was not simply a validation exercise, but a deeper understanding of operational reality.
Another area where data integration is becoming increasingly important is the transition to battery-electric equipment. As mines deploy battery-electric vehicles( BEVs) at scale, new data streams emerge, including charging behaviour, energy consumption, and battery performance. To manage these effectively, they must be considered alongside traditional metrics within a unified system.
By integrating machine data with charger information and location, Newtrax MDP provides a comprehensive view of both operational and energy-related aspects of the fleet. This enables more effective planning, improved utilisation of charging infrastructure, and a clearer understanding of how electrification impacts production.
While BEVs offer significant advantages in cost efficiency and sustainability, they also introduce new operational challenges. Unlike diesel equipment, battery availability becomes a critical factor in maintaining productivity. Charging capacity is often limited, as mine electrical grids may only support a restricted number of chargers operating simultaneously.
This requires careful coordination to ensure that batteries are charged, allocated, and available when needed. Without this level of planning, delays can occur despite the mechanical reliability advantages of electric equipment.
One impactful development in this space is the introduction of Control Room Editor within Newtrax MDP, a configurable tool that transforms the platform from a read-only environment into an interactive system. It enables operational teams to shape their own digital workflows and capture manually reported information, including over-theradio inputs, particularly in areas of the mine where network coverage is limited.
“ Throughout mining operations, discrepancies between datasets are common. Operator-reported data can include human errors, inconsistencies in shift reporting, or inflated utilisation figures. At the same time, automated telemetry is not immune to issues, with sensor malfunctions, communication gaps, and false cycle detections affecting accuracy.”
Historically, users could access data, analyse it, and draw conclusions, but their ability to influence the system directly in realtime was limited.
By enabling read-and-write capabilities within Newtrax MDP platform, mining operations can now interact directly with their data environment. Users are no longer limited to observing what has happened, they can define how data is captured, how processes are structured, and how workflows are executed by using Newtrax Control Room Editor. This transition significantly reduces the gap between insight and action.
For example, a common challenge is capturing drill data at the face, as development areas frequently extend beyond network coverage. With Newtrax Control Room Editor, operators can set drills as operational, capture key metrics such as the number of holes or meters drilled in real time, and log additional information through flexible, unstructured forms.
“ By introducing no-code capabilities within mining data platforms, it is now possible for control room teams and site personnel to create and adapt workflows directly within the system.”, said Herman.“ Instead of relying on external development resources, users can design digital forms, configure data inputs, and build operational tools tailored to their specific needs. This shift dramatically reduces the time required to move from identifying a problem to implementing a solution.”
This capability is particularly important in mining, where no two sites are identical, and conditions can change rapidly. By allowing control room teams to respond directly to operational needs, the platform becomes a living system, one that evolves alongside the operation itself.
More importantly, it places control in the hands of those who understand the operation best. Supervisors, engineers, and planners can translate their day-to-day experience into structured digital processes, ensuring that solutions are both practical and immediately relevant.
Beyond improving responsiveness, this approach also enhances the quality of data itself. The data generated through these workflows becomes more structured and consistent, providing a stronger foundation for advanced analytics and, increasingly, for AI-driven applications.
Herman explained how this builds on the evolution of Newtrax MDP:“ We are pioneering our first artificial intelligence( AI) integration into MDP. With a single click, users can generate an AI summary of any dashboard they select. Instead of spending valuable time interpreting reports, the system delivers a clear explanation of the results and highlights potential operational
International Mining | APRIL 2026