INNOVATION
the mine. This satellite-like positioning
underground, similar to GPS, allows
for underground navigation, so that we
can navigate ourselves away from risk.
We need to be able to ‘see’ or visualise
important indicators such as air quality,
seismicity, risks, rock mass movement,
and machines. Once we can see an
activity in relation to its incumbent risks
— and then use communication to put
distance between the activity and risk —
it follows that zero harm and automation
become more readily achievable. The
basic requirements ar e communication,
positioning, and visualisation — and then
the integration of all the relevant data to
make good decisions. Companies who
succeed in making practical progress in
this space will do well in the future.
Finsch Mine, in the Northern Cape, is among South Africa’s most modernised operations, where
driverless equipment has been in use for some time.
economy; so, while it causes insecurity,
it will in the long run make workers less
vulnerable to job losses.
PEH: Would it be accurate to say that if
education is introduced earlier on, then
there’s less resistance?
FC: Consider the potential of an app that
empowers workers to make their own life-
and-death and productivity decisions. You
don’t have to sell the benefits of this kind
of technology to anyone; it’s really a matter
of the education that flows from using
the app on a smartphone. No worker will
be resistant to change if they can see the
benefit in the workplace.
By explaining the purpose of the
technology being introduced, it will also be
clear that not all technologies are a threat
to jobs. For example, most digital mining
technologies are there to put distance
between people and risk.
Digitisation, mechanisation, and
automation develop one step at a time; they
are not turned on and off like light switches.
It will be a long time before a mine can
be operated from surface with no one
underground — just robots and machines.
PEH: What would you describe as best
safety practice/s on site to ensure
productivity when using underground
automation?
FC: Automation above ground is much
easier to implement because technologies
like GPS, satellites, and advanced
communication systems work well in this
environment. Below the ground, it is a
completely different matter — and here we
are looking at leading systems to learn from
and to improve.
Companies with communication
systems providing better connectivity
between the mine’s surface and
underground operations certainly have the
edge. These technologies — whose signals
can penetrate through rock — are in fact
essential enablers of the mine of the future.
Positioning is also important; once
we can locate the people, equipment,
and activities throughout an underground
mine, we will know what is happening in
PEH: Which is the best run mine?
FC: In South Africa’s diamond mining
segment, a mine like Finsch in the
Northern Cape is among our most
modernised operations, where for
some time they have used driverless
equipment. In the gold sector, South
Deep is a leading light. There are several
technology-intensive platinum mines
as well. These are leading 21st-century
mines, which have been developed
despite our difficult underground
environment and our large ore bodies.
This indicates that if we find and apply
the right technologies, the life of our
mines can be extended; this should
be an encouragement for government
to nurture the mining sector, as it can
contribute substantially to turn around the
country’s economic slump.
PEH: What is your message?
FC: When it comes to adopting
technology for mining operations, my
message is firstly to encourage the
forming of constructive partnerships
between mining stakeholders — from
mines and unions to technology suppliers
and government. I’m talking about
genuine long-term partnerships with
strategic long-term goals like safety and
productivity improvements. The 21st
century is a time to collaborate, even
with competitors; by working together,
we can find and put in place leading
practices that will benefit us all. ■
OCTOBER 2018
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