HIGH PROFILE
owner maintained or supported ; where we supply the relevant training tools and remote backup support . Or they may want to work with our Lifecycle Support offering which may require Sandvik people to be on site and then we can deliver hands-on but they remain backed up by our local and global remote support teams . Solutions depend on the customer needs and how they intend to use their system which dictates how we tailor make the package to suit them ; assisting them in the development of their AutoMine roadmap , which aligns with future needs and growth plans as well .”
McCoy adds : “ We structure the program based on what we call our AutoMine reviews , which help develop the AutoMine roadmap . Our teams constantly work with the customer to evaluate where they are with their system usage and what they need to optimise . So we have a baseline element that we put together prior to the support package where we map out what the view of the current state is and then we put that into a maturity matrix and then rank where the customer potentially wants to head to in conjunction with them , and once they have decided what type of service and what type of reactive support they want around the automation system , the package is structured accordingly . We have five levels of ranking in terms of the maturity matrix index that we use , which helps us determine what we need to do now and what measures we need to put in place to support the future , based on the customer ’ s vision .”
Across the board packages for all scenarios
Is this available across all AutoMine options including AutoMine Lite , AutoMine Core , AutoMine Surface and AutoMine Multi-Lite ? “ It doesn ’ t matter what type of automation offering it is ; we support all of our automation products accordingly . An AutoMine Lite user at one site might not have the same application as an AutoMine Lite user at another site . One might be using it during normal production only and another might only use it during shift changes . Therefore , despite having the same automation product , they will have different needs in terms of how it needs to be supported .”
What are the benefits of the support offering in terms of things like efficiency and lowering downtime ? How does it add quantifiable economic value for the customer ? “ We look at two main ways in which our support approach drives value . One is focused on the mechanical and software side – that is driving the system availability of both the hardware and the software and making sure it is ready when the system needs to be used . And then in terms of machine availability , ensuring that we are providing the right inputs to the mechanical maintenance team ; but also focusing on our input into the system like the uptime of all of the components that keep an autonomous machine running including the autonomous area components as well . Making sure they are set up properly and that the network is in place .”
McCoy added that from an operational point of view , as referenced earlier , it is all about skills – managing and maintaining the right skills , and also providing the relevant training through comprehensive competence . “ So to give an example , an automated machine can run at 30 km / h - great for productivity - but for that to happen , certain things need to be in place such as the right mining layout and the right level of roadway maintenance , ensuring that you do address the factors that might slow the machine down .”
Operator awareness and moving automation areas
There is also an operator awareness aspect – there are two elements to AutoMine – one where the operator directly interacts with the machine , and it is being teleremote operated ; and the other where it is being run in a fully autonomous mode . When it comes to an autonomous system and multiple machines are being controlled , the operator needs to be fully aware of what they are doing to ensure that the system keeps functioning . This can include things like acknowledging red flags and alarms , making sure the machines are dispatched correctly to the next point they need to go to . Sandvik also helps the operator to understand the environment that the machine and they are working in plus looking at fill factors and how to improve those .
Another important factor for automation , especially if you have flexible automation solutions that move around the mine , is making sure that the next area you are going to is ready to ensure quick automation start up . McCoy : “ That includes doing all of the pre-planning , helping ensure that people on the ground understand what infrastructure is required and that you have the infrastructure
There are many variations of AutoMine Lifecycle Support Solutions that Sandvik customers choose to implement when it comes to the use of their systems - all based on their needs and goals
available , so you don ’ t strip down one automomous area and move to the next place wasting time – you have already prepared that area using your spare automomous area kit that is there to allow to you follow your production more efficiently . So better planning around the autonomous operation .”
And then , in terms of the performance tracking , making sure there are measures in place for road condition monitoring , autonomous area alarms etc , plus general operational planning . “ Automated operations bring a bit of nuance and when you have manual and autonomous operations on one minesite it becomes even more complex . We need to help the operational teams understand the requirements and develop the appropriate operational practices .”
Components and sensors to processes
Do the packages also include servicing of the sensors themselves such as making sure that the LiDAR sensors are fully functional ? “ Yes as we are supporting everything that is involved in autonomous operations both on and off board the machine . It includes the maintenance , configuration and setup of the components onboard and well as fault finding .”
At the end of the day when you are talking autonomy , it doesn ’ t matter if you only use the system during shift change or in normal operations – the customer expects high availability , and you want the system to run when it needs to . “ If you are only planning to use it two hours a day – availability is just as important because then you have a limited window to operate and you need to ensure that everything is in place – the system is supported and maintained , it is looked after , the
54 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2024