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extreme weather conditions all year
round. RCT’s customised Teleremote
solutions removed the operator from
the cab of the machines and relocated
them to an ergonomically designed
control station, complete with modern
comforts such as heating, which is
essential at a mine experiencing such
extreme temperatures.
Two control centres were deployed
on site: one controls the trucks, dozer,
and shovel, and the second controls
the drill. Providing operators with a
comfortable working environment has
proven to increase productivity, as
they remain more alert during shifts.
As well as protecting operators
from the elements, each component
of RCT’s ControlMaster solutions was
specifically designed to withstand the
extreme temperatures experienced in
Russia.
As a result, all components
are in compliance with ambient
classifications set forth in GOST
15150-69, ensuring components can
operate efficiently in temperatures
ranging from −45°C to 45°C.
Visibility was another factor that had
to be taken into consideration due to
the mine’s location. To ensure seamless
operation during the evening shifts and
the winter months, additional external
lighting was fitted to the trucks and
loaders, ensuring adequate visibility of
the mining process during these times.
This extensive project also required
the reinvention of the design of RCT’s
existing surface drill console, which
was installed to control the Atlas
Copco drilling rig on site.
The drill console was downsized,
and thanks to the latest ControlMaster
www.plantonline.co.za
technology, the Custom department
was able to reproduce it into a more
manageable size with the same
functionalities it previously possessed.
The console now consists of
four joysticks that can be used over
four different modes to perform 50
functions necessary to operate a
surface drill via remote control. It was
also integral that the drill icons would
translate well into Russian but also
have a universal meaning.
“Everything we have implemented
on this console has been to serve a
specific function. It was important
we catered to every function the
operator would have, as if they were
in the cab of the machine,” says RCT’s
CIS business development manager,
Stephen Macarow.
“RCT can provide more than a
standard offer — it’s our agileness
and ability to rise to any technological
challenge that gives us that
competitive edge,” says Macarow.
To further ensure operators have
the same, if not better, view of the
operating area, pan-tilt-zoom cameras
— capable of remote directional and
zoom control — were added to the
drill. The result was a modernised
console that met all the criteria for
this drill that will lay the foundations,
to be adapted to various drills for
years to come.
A Polyus spokesperson stated that
the introduction of capabilities for
equipment remote control improved
the safety of mining processes in the
challenging mining and geological
conditions of the Olimpiada Mining
and Processing Plant. The project
provided an opportunity to evaluate
technologies and capabilities of
remote-control systems and to begin
work on assessing the possibility of
using automated control systems to
operate mining machines.
Vostochnaya Technica’s (VT)
technology manager, Alexander
Voroshilov, said: “For VT, this project
is not only the biggest technology
project, it is a good example of a
strong partnership with RCT and
good relations with our customer
Polyus. The project involved over 40
employees from VT, RCT, Neman,
and Sercons working on different
project stages. Four tonnes of
high-technology RCT equipment
was delivered from Australia to the
remote mine site in Russia. It also
encompassed specially designing
and building two operator stations,
obtaining six certification (permission)
documents, and it took six months
for installation, full testing, and
commissioning. VT and RCT have
been partners for more than eight
years; we worked as one team to
complete this project and to provide
a comprehensive solution to our
customer.”
While RCT is prominently known
for its work in the underground
mining environment, its capabilities
have always encompassed surface
mines and this project is an excellent
example.
This project highlights RCT’s
interoperability capabilities — installing
automation solutions on Caterpillar,
Komatsu, and Atlas Copco mobile
machines and have them work
together to achieve a common goal of
increasing productivity safely.
MARCH 2019
13