PRODUCT FOCUS
Cat underground loader working semi-autonomously.
this, with the underlaying requirement
to achieve more with less. Automation
underground has been a strength of
MICROMINE’s Pitram solution for years,
especially given our ability to track not just
the fleet but the location and personnel
as well. In many respects, MICROMINE
is regarded as the leader in underground
fleet management and mine control
having been recognised as the preferred
supplier with some corporates.”
Machine automation has seen dozens
of mines around the world benefiting
from automation and tele-remote control
of their underground loaders, commonly
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known as load haul dump machines,
or LHDs.
Caterpillar, for one, has developed a
system for LHDs that is semi-
autonomous, called Command for
Underground, which has components
purpose-built for underground mining,
with rugged features targeted to
underground applications.
Principally designed to reduce human
exposure to injury, the system removes
the operator from a potentially hazardous
environment and allows them to work
in a safer, more comfortable, ergonomic
operator station. The system places the
LHD operator either in an underground
location well away from the active mining
area, or on the surface in a control station.
The system offers three levels of
operational control that are supplemented
with video from on-board cameras to
provide a real-time view of the machine
location and status. While the Teleremote
operation enables the machine to be
operated from a distant location with the
operator providing all machine input; when
in Co-pilot mode, the operator monitors
LHD location on a mine plan and uses the
joysticks to give the machine directional
input if necessary. To ensure the machine