WORLD NEWS
Cat automation complete at Spanish underground mines
This instalment builds on a previous
project to mount ControlMaster
Teleremote and Guidance Automation
solutions on three of the site’s CAT
R2900G underground loaders which
operate on an analogue network via
two surface control stations.
Guidance Automation solution
means machines can tram between
two predetermined points on a mine
site with the simple push of a button
by operators who also receive real-
time information including machine
speed, RPM, direction, pitch and roll.
The Automation Centre consists of
an ergonomically designed operators
chair facing up from screens which
feed real-time information from
sensors and machine-mounted
cameras to the operator. Teleremote
enables the operator to remotely
manage the machine from a control
station in real time.
A MATSA spokesperson says,
‘This system not only allows us to
operate in hazardous conditions safely
from the surface but also increases
productivity by permitting us to
operate during shift change and
smoke clearing. We also have the
capability to simultaneously operate
more than one piece of equipment
with the same tele-remote operator.’
RCT account manager, Shane
Smith, says the Guidance
Automation products will provide
solid benefits for MATSA.
“ControlMaster Guidance
Automation has a proven track
record of improving operator safety
in a traditionally hazardous working
environment by removing them from
the mine face,” he says.
“The faster tramming speeds
also help to boost site productivity
on site and limit unplanned machine
downtime due to repairs from
machinery accidents, while the new
Automation Centre reduces operator
fatigue due to improved comfort
and ease-of-access on the mine’s
surface,” concludes Smith.
RCT has completed a major automation
project at MATSA’s Aguas Teñidas and
Magdalena mines in the Huelva province
of Spain.
The project involved installing
ControlMaster Guidance Automation on
four CAT R2900G underground loaders
and one Automation Centre Surface
Control Station at MATSA’s Aguas
Teñidas copper, lead and zinc mines.
The Automation Centre is fitted out
with RCT’s Multiple Machine Control
feature enabling a single operator to
remotely control multiple machines at
the same time via Aguas Teñidas’ digital
communications network.
RCT also commissioned two
Sandvik LH621 underground loaders
with ControlMaster Guidance
Automation at the nearby Magdalena
copper mine. The Sandvik loaders can
operate on a digital network via RCT’s
Area Access Cabinets, which act as an
extension of the Automation Centre
and interfaces between the work areas
and the machines.
MATSA is operating four CAT R2900G underground loaders on ControlMaster Guidance Automation at the Aguas Teñidas copper,
lead and zinc mine.
www.plantonline.co.za
JUNE 2019
9