MINING SOFTWARE
data interoperability , data sharing and knowledge extraction . This is where a Knowledge Graph is required . A Knowledge Graph is a type of data structure that stores information in the form of entities ( nodes ) and their interrelationships ( edges ). Widely used in new knowledge-based systems to enhance information retrieval , infer new knowledge and provide context-aware results , Eclipse views these graphs as being able to support specific AI applications , such as using machine learning in predictive maintenance and modelling .
Such tools are a prerequisite for effective use of these algorithms , according to Eclipse , with mining companies simply inundated with data that is not initially fit for the purpose of machine learning .
“ By using knowledge systems that enable modelling and AI , mining companies now have the power to harness the wealth of all their data , leading to next-level informed decision making and operational efficiencies ,” it said .
The company concluded : “ In a sector where no other vendor currently offers a solution of this calibre , SourceOne EKPS stands as a beacon of innovation . It ’ s not just a product ; it ' s an invitation to be part of an exclusive circle that ‘ gets it ’.
“ The current number of our clients in the mining industry is just at the beginning , but the potential and interest in SourceOne EKPS are significant . This isn ’ t about where we are now ; it ’ s about where we ’ re going . And for those who join us , the journey promises to be as rewarding as the destination .”
Instilling confidence in decision making acQuire has been providing software to tackle ESG issues across the mining space long before the acronym was considered industry parlance .
For Alison Atkins , CEO of acQuire , the value the company brings to the table has not changed over the more than 25 years it has been providing these solutions . “ acQuire ’ s value lies in providing strategic software solutions so when the right information is available to the right people , businesses can make confident decisions ,” she told IM .
The increase in data generation and higher regulatory hurdles placed in front of mining companies are likely to lead to further investments into “ digital mining ”, according to Atkins : a change that will also require providers to be more open to the wider software ecosystem .
“ Our customers expect solutions that are interoperable with other software used in a mining operation , from data collection and mine planning , through to land reclamation ,” she said .
For acQuire , this means monitoring the markets it operates in to identify new trends and emerging technologies , while engaging with customers to ensure its product roadmap continues to meet ongoing needs .
Atkins said the global drive towards ESG reporting requirements , as well as an increasing pressure from stakeholders to increase output , is providing the impetus for miners to leverage emerging technologies that not only meet these compliance issues , but further optimise their operations .
“ At acQuire this means delivering quality and sustainable software solutions that can give our customers the ability to assess ‘ are we compliant right now ?’, at any point in time , and be able to prove it ,” she said .
This is where tools designed to collect and
ABB ’ s smart hoisting software
ABB has launched a new digital suite of applications for hoist monitoring and optimisation , now rebranded as ABB Ability™ Smart Hoisting .
This new suite , ABB says , potentially offers further integration to other cloud solutions and extended offerings that significantly increase the operational performance and reliability of mine hoists .
The new digital suite is an important milestone in the company ’ s ambition to transform predictive maintenance for mine hoists . With new features such as ABB Drive System Monitoring and new key performance indicators ( KPIs ), ABB is opening the door to an entirely new level of mine hoist optimisation services for customers .
The traditional predictive maintenance approach relies on manual data collection and analysis over a short period of time . Intermittent issues can stay hidden or only be identified later , giving subject matter experts ( SMEs ) little time to program interventions exactly when needed . Additionally , manual collection and data analysis consume a significant amount of time for SMEs , preventing them from focusing on strategic performance management tasks .
ABB Ability Smart Hoisting is designed to significantly improve the uptime , availability , reliability , performance and productivity of hoists . By incorporating advanced monitoring features , the system provides actionable information on critical KPIs , ensuring better decision making and optimisation of hoisting operations . The automatic collection , monitoring and analysis of data will enable mining companies to increase production performance , identify potential functional safety hazards and optimise maintenance scheduling , ABB says .
The combination of innovative features and improved cyber security makes this solution a unique and valuable tool in the underground mining industry , the company claims .
Its predictive maintenance capabilities help increase standards and drive innovation , leading to more sustainable and profitable mining operations .
“ The new and enhanced Smart Hoisting solution offers a step change in
The ABB Ability Smart Hoisting system incorporates advanced monitoring features to provide actionable information , ABB says
the operational performance of mine hoists ,” Charles Bennett , Global Service Manager , Hoisting at ABB , said . “ From improved uptime , reduced environmental footprint and increased monitoring services , this new solution brings enormous benefits to the industry at an important time .
“ Through the integration of predictive maintenance and advanced monitoring , the evolved ABB Ability Smart Hoisting solution marks a pivotal milestone in redefining the performance benchmarks for mine hoists . This transformative solution addresses industry challenges comprehensively , fostering heightened uptime , sustainability and operational resilience .”
ABB says it has been a leader in developing world-class hoisting solutions for over 130 years . Powered by electricity with the possibility to run off renewable energy sources , hoists are very much a future forward solution for enabling the sustainable transformation .
To date , ABB has delivered over 1,000 hoisting solutions globally . As a supplier of complete mine hoist systems , customers can benefit from low life cycle cost , high reliability and system availability , short project execution time , and a single source of supply for complete systems , including service and spare parts .
42 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2024