TECHNOLOGY
more advanced capability. The possibility
to use the optional advanced automation
functionalities depends on the level of
intelligence of the connected third-
party equipment,” explains Niel McCoy,
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
BLM Automation — southern Africa.
In addition to APIs, to be compatible
with AutoMine, third-party equipment
designs must conform to the functional
safety requirements specified for
AutoMine. McCoy reiterates: “The
safety integrity of third-party designs
must conform to the applicable
performance level in accordance
with the ISO 13849 functional safety
standard as defined by Sandvik in the
interface requirement specification.
The reason for this is that the third-
party equipment will interact with the
AutoMine Access Control System
for safety isolation of the automation
production area.”
This API is another step in Sandvik’s
journey to drive a digital ecosystem that
makes mining smarter, safer, and more
efficient.
Setting the industry standard
Automation solutions remove people from the danger areas in the mining operation.
AutoMine for underground loaders and
trucks to this policy is the next step in
Sandvik’s continued journey to set the
industry standard for mine automation
and digitalisation. Challenges to
establishing a fully functional (and
effective) digital ecosystem include
change management, network
infrastructure, operational readiness,
mining layouts, funding, and lack of
digital strategy or vision.
Training
Sandvik provides systems training,
which starts off with e-learning
modules for basic training. From there,
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
released its Interoperability Policy in
April 2018, outlining the principles
by which Sandvik systems can
communicate within a digital
ecosystem, including data accessibility,
fleet data compatibility, data rights and
control, and data privacy. The addition of
Safety in action
The interface allows both tele-remote control as a mandatory basic level, and
management of automated missions with fleet traffic control as an additional and
optional more advanced capability.
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detailed technical training is provided.
This is either done at their facilities in
Tampere, Finland, or on the customer’s
site. To further reinforce training, it
is recommended that the customer
resources are an integral part of the
installation and commissioning phase
of the project.
“Sandvik has been leading the
market in automation for decades,
with more than 400 pieces of
equipment using AutoMine around
the world without a lost-time injury,”
says Murphy. Ensuring the lasting
success of Sandvik’s best practice
strategies is a clear digital strategy,
phased approach, buy-in from
senior management, and change
management. “Clear processes
have to be in place and engagement
of all stakeholders in the workforce
is required upfront,” McCoy adds.
“Also, you need a clearly defined
implementation strategy, and the
removal of a ‘Plan B’ — once you
commit to utilising a certain piece of
technology, you need to take away the
backup plan or old way of working,”
he says.
The interface and requirements
specification for third-party
underground hard rock mining loaders
and trucks will be released in the third
quarter of 2019. “As more customers
embark on their digital journeys,
interoperability will be a requirement.
We are proud to leverage our
experience to drive digitalisation further
in the mining industry,” concludes
Murphy.
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