WORLD PROSPECTS
xtonomy showcases truck autonomy again at Hillhead
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xtonomy provides what it says is the most advanced next-gen autonomous solution for mining and quarrying and says its AI is the only commercially available system that is capable of navigating freely in unstructured and everchanging environments such as in quarries without site infrastructure . It says this enables autonomy for the first time in complex dynamic sites and opens the technology to a wide range of customers with a fast setup . xtonomy has recently launched its infrastructure-free AHS on a site in the UK together with Bell Equipment ,
Chepstow Plant International and Sibelco .
Furthermore , xtonomy recently demonstrated its technology at the Hillhead quarry show live from
June 25-27 . The xtonomy AHS is designed for smaller truck fleets that may be fully orchestrated by the excavator or loader operator .
Although the autonomous trucks automatically
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follow the excavator position on the bench and adapt queuing position , cusp point and loading position automatically , the operator may adapt all points to facilitate the process if needed . No fleet as all underlying processes are fully
additional personnel is required to supervise the automated . It uses robust radar onboard mapping and object detection to continuously perceive the environment and motion planners that freely plan the best routes and dynamically react to changes as opposed to driving from one fixed point to another on virtual rails .
Furthermore , it handles the interaction of multiple trucks in such unstructured environments . This is only possible through a very high degree of autonomy at the highest system levels . Several safety layers guarantee a safe operation with safe radio comms , highprecision GPS , radar and Ultra-Wideband ( UWB )
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localisation . Manned machines may be integrated into the ecosystem for safe interaction in complex scenarios . The robust communication system utilises multiple redundant channels such as Starlink , LTE / 5G , data . www . xtonomy .
2.4 GHz / 5 GHz WiFi and UHF for mission critical ai
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Master Drilling & Doppelmayr to cooperate
Doppelmayr Transport Technology GmbH , based in Wolfurt , Austria , has announced a cooperation with raise boring specialist Master Drilling Group Ltd , headquartered in Fochville , South Africa . Doppelmayr did not detail the nature of the tie-up but told IM the main reason for the cooperation was that both companies “ see potential in joining their expertise , in order to contribute to new material transport opportunities for the clients ’ benefit ”.
One aspect of the cooperation relates to Doppelmayr ’ s vertical material transport system , Vertical RopeCon ® , which the Austrian company says opens up new material transport opportunities for underground mining and which has been referenced in the cooperation material transport , such as limited space as well announcements . as the necessity to avoid exhaust emissions and
Doppelmayr says of the technology : heat development , to name only some . The “ Underground mining makes high demands on Doppelmayr Vertical RopeCon gives the chance to
Dozers start going remote at Capcoal reduce the haul truck fleet and the exhaust emissions .”
The novel concept adapts the proven RopeCon system to the specific requirements of an underground application . In the loading station , the wheel sets run on guiding rails , which safely guide the belt into the shaft . Ropes in the shaft guide the belt at all times . Doppelmayr says maintenance is simple and cost effective , as all moving parts are mounted to the belt and will pass the terminals at regular intervals . Ropes and shaft can be inspected either using an inspection vehicle or by technical devices . Access to the shaft is not required . In addition , re-use of existing ventilation shafts is possible . As the main drive is installed above ground , underground heat development is reduced . www . doppelmayr . com / en /; www . masterdrilling . com
Dozer operators at Anglo American ’ s Capcoal Complex in Queensland , Australia , are in training to embrace remote control technology to improve operator safety on site , the company says .
The operation , near Middlemount , is trialling a remote-controlled stockpile dozer ahead of plans to retrofit the entire fleet .
Anglo American , which operates five steelmaking coal mines across the Bowen Basin , will reduce in-cab dozer exposure time by 45,000 to 75,000 hours a year once the technology is fully deployed across all sites .
Coal handling and processing plant dozer operators are the first to gain experience operating teleremote dozers as part of a pilot program to reduce exposure to concealed stockpile voids . The pilot includes the retrofit of a stockpile dozer with the latest Wi-Fi-enabled technology to set up connectivity between the machine and operator chair in the control centre . An Anglo American Australia spokesperson told IM that the company had collaborated with RCT on this trial , leveraging RCT ’ s OEM-agnostic ControlMaster ® solution .
Capcoal General Manager , George Karooz , said it was the first time the remote control dozer technology would be used at Anglo American ’ s Australian operations .
“ Upskilling our workers in this new technology is paramount to its success because their expertise is irreplaceable , even when the work is done remotely ,” he said . “ In pursuit of safety and efficiency , the mining industry has been a constant driver of innovation for generations .
“ Operating our fleet of dozers from a safe
distance will reduce the number of hours in the s
4 International Mining | JULY 2024