COLLISION AVOIDANCE
FMS , mission management , CAS , and OEMagnostic autonomy . But in mining unlike road users , there is a production mission involved as well , so everything has to be done with productivity in mind , and all the fleet orchestration that comes with that .”
Savit added that Hexagon is already taking some incremental steps on this journey : “ Our CAS on a truck using our new radar in Canada in recent tests was able to recognise a non-CAS enabled vehicle and come to a Level 9 stop . With our OAS we are using AI to better recognise typical head movements at a T junction and realise they are not fatigue related and so there is no distraction event or false positive .”
Finally , any unique attributes of Hexagon CAS and OAS ? Hatfield said that from a CAS point of view , Hexagon has the largest installed based in the industry by some margin – over 65,000 units mainly in surface mining . they already have CAS , they can add in Hexagon Personal Alert ( PA ), which is a small , ergonomically designed device intended to eliminate accidents between pedestrians and heavy machinery . “ Then the mine might decide that due to there being non- CAS vehicles in the mine – maybe from a contractor – with our radar solution , untagged vehicles will still be visible to our CAS solution , which also provides protection in low GNSS areas such as in deep parts of the pit . And we have been talking about the synergies of adding OAS as well . Our solutions enable progressive
layering of safety .” Moving into 2025 , Savit said that Hexagon OAS will be able to capture CAS events through its camera . “ So from a contextual point of view , you will see with our forward-facing camera what the driver was seeing when the event happened plus you will see what the operator was doing . So you will get causality but also contextual information that will help identify if a particular action was a contributor to the close vehicle interaction – such as a slight change in trajectory .”
Looking at Hexagon ’ s CAS customers , it is a long list but some of the major mining operations
using it include Glencore Cerrejon , Codelco Radomiro Tomic , Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi ( the surface mine ), all of Suncor ’ s operations and AMSA Centinela .
IWT ’ s Guardian™ Proximity System
As underground mining operations continue to prioritise worker safety and operational efficiency , Innovative Wireless Technologies , Inc . ( IWT ) says it is leading the way with its intelligent collision avoidance Guardian™ Proximity System . Engineered for the complexities of underground environments , Guardian offers an innovative solution to the persistent safety challenges of low visibility , crowded work zones , and the constant interaction of heavy machinery with personnel . IWT stated : “ Guardian ’ s precision detectionbased approach to collision avoidance is redefining safety standards , providing mining operators with a robust tool designed to protect lives while improving operational flow . Guardian stands out from first-generation underground proximity detection systems , which rely on electromagnetic ( EM ) technology . EM solutions , while widely used , often face limitations in the highdensity electromagnetic environments like underground mines , where interference from AC powerlines and motors can lead to signal disruption and unreliable detection . Guardian was designed to overcome these challenges with advanced , radio frequency ( RF ) technology that ensures accurate , uninterrupted vehicular detection of personnel , even through obstructions like curtains or beyond line-of-sight in mine crosscuts .”
It says this interference-resistant capability is critical in underground settings , where reliable proximity detection can mean the difference between safety and potential accidents . By offering high precision location detection , repeatable within inches , Guardian enables operators to work with confidence that the system will alert them effectively to any hazards nearby .
IWT adds : “ Guardian ’ s integration with IWT ’ s SENTINEL™ platform enhances its effectiveness , transforming it from a standalone safety tool into a fully connected system within the mine . SENTINEL provides the wireless backbone that supports real-time data exchange between Guardian and the centralised dispatch platform , allowing mine operations personnel immediate access to critical proximity incidents overlaid on a mine map . The Guardian-equipped in-cab display provides real-time proximity detection and system status information to the vehicle driver , giving the vehicle driver a complete picture of their surroundings while also alerting personnel in proximity of a moving vehicle . Guardian automatically adjusts detection zones based on vehicle speed and direction of travel . When personnel are detected , Guardian slows and stops the vehicle without the need for driver input .”
SENTINEL ’ s reliable connectivity “ enables seamless communication across the mining site , supporting coordinated safety and operational efforts . With the combined capabilities of Guardian and SENTINEL , IWT offers a scalable safety solution adaptable to operations of any size , from smaller mine sections to expansive , fully interconnected mine networks .”
Beyond its immediate safety benefits , Guardian ’ s and SENTINEL ’ s advanced tracking capabilities position it as a powerful data resource for mining operations . Guardian logs data on personnel and vehicle interactions , providing insights into movement patterns , frequency of near-collision encounters , and highrisk zones within the mine . With this data , operators gain a deeper understanding of where potential hazards occur , allowing them to proactively address issues by modifying workflows , updating safety protocols , and implementing focused training sessions . SENTINEL augments the Guardian data with location information , displaying it in real-time as well as allowing post-incident playback . As IWT continues to expand Guardian ’ s analytics capabilities , mining operations can use this data not only for compliance but to drive efficiencies
International Mining | JANUARY 2025