COLLISION AVOIDANCE and optimise day-to-day operations in a way that significantly reduces risks and enhances productivity .
Guardian ’ s automation-ready design IWT says makes it an essential component for mining operations looking to embrace semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicle capabilities in the future . “ Already , Guardian can automatically adjust vehicle speed and initiate braking without driver input when personnel or obstacles are detected within critical proximity zones . This level of automated control forms a solid foundation for the gradual shift toward autonomy , as it supports core functions needed in autonomous operations . By implementing Guardian , mine operators are not only improving immediate safety but are also investing in technology that aligns with the broader industry trend toward autonomous and remote-controlled operations . As regulatory and technological advancements continue to drive automation in mining , Guardian provides a clear path to integrating more autonomous systems into underground operations with minimal disruption .”
Sandvik enhances underground mining safety with Newtrax OEMagnostic APDS
At MINExpo 2024 , Sandvik demonstrated the capabilities of the Newtrax Advanced Proximity Detection System ( APDS ), showcasing its potential to enhance safety standards in underground mining operations . As an OEMagnostic safety solution , APDS has been deployed in regions including Africa , Europe , and Canada where it has proven highly effective in mitigating risks and improving operational efficiency across several customer sites .
“ This solution , already commercially available , has a proven track record of addressing some of the most critical safety challenges within the underground mining industry ,” said Peter Hanna , Head of Product Development and Programs Delivery Newtrax , Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions . “ Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in several operations , providing a reliable solution for improving safety and operational efficiency . Customer feedback highlights its reliability and transformative impact on safety standards , strengthening its status as a trusted OEM-agnostic solution in the underground mining sector .”
The scalable OEM-agnostic safety solution enables advanced proximity detection , providing both advisory and intervention controls for safer and more efficient operations . This innovative
technology is designed to mitigate the risks of injuries , fatalities , and collisions involving pedestrians , light vehicles , and heavy equipment in complex underground environments . The system provides unparalleled situational
Sandvik ' s Newtrax demo showroom in Montreal , Canada
awareness and control by effectively addressing pedestrian safety concerns and mitigating collisions between light and heavy vehicles . When combined with Location Tracking , part of OptiMine ® MDP , APDS enables mine supervisors and safety personnel to identify high-risk areas and take appropriate actions , thereby significantly improving safety and operational efficiency . In addition to elevating safety standards , the solution boosts productivity by minimising downtime associated with accidents and safety incidents .
“ We are committed to advancing the future of underground mining operations with technology that prioritizes safety and efficiency ," said William-Alexis Bouchard , Product Line Manager Newtrax , Automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions . " APDS provides the capability to dynamically adjust detection zones , reducing
nuisance alarms and potential alarm fatigue for operators while enhancing overall productivity . It is a robust and adaptable solution to minimise risks and enhance operational performance in even the most challenging conditions . We are excited to present its capability and demonstrate how it can significantly improve the safety and efficiency of mining operations .” Sandvik ’ s Newtrax production unit is located in Montreal , Canada , and customers are able to experience its innovations first hand in a state-of-the-art showroom .
Nerospec sees global expansion
Nerospec SK remains an OEM-agnostic leader in vehicle intervention controller ( VIC ) technology with its neroHUB . CEO Eric Pohlmann told IM that it is definitely seeing a continuous greater interest in and uptake of collision avoidance systems and therefore its VIC technology . “ And that is based on the numerous projects we are now working on – including with Rio Tinto at Kennecott , collaborating with the owner Rio Tinto , PBE Axell as the PDS supplier and Redpath as a contractor responsible for operating some of the fleet , plus of course the equipment OEMs themselves . Even the location of the project in the USA is important for us in the continued globalisation of Nerospec ’ s VIC offering .”
In fact , Nerospec SK has established Nerospec SK USA and has just opened a new office in the Salt Lake City area close to Kennecott . It will support a service level agreement with Rio Tinto involving 24 / 7 service and will have a staff of up to six or seven people . “ In many ways this is a lighthouse project for us in the USA and we hope to build on it in other major mining areas including Nevada . MSHA is now really giving attention to CAS technology – surface mines in the US already have to produce risk assessments and safety plans around collision , and so MSHA sees our VIC as playing an important role in helping mines install CAS with reduced interoperability issues .”
Pohlmann added that these projects are also helping to foster greater collaboration with the likes of Sandvik and Redpath . Contractors like Redpath can benefit from offering the latest CAS technology to its global mining clients as part of an enhanced safety portfolio and Nerospec SK is part of that ; while Sandvik in recent years has been offering a Proximity Detection System Interface ( PDSI ) for its underground loaders and dump trucks . The feature allows installation of a third-party PDS to a Sandvik loader or dump truck to meet legal requirements and improve safety in underground operations – Nerospec ' s VIC is able to connect easily with that interface as it is based on the ISO21815 standard .
And what of the standard , where do things sit today ? Pohlmann : “ The most recent major update was the publication of Part 3 in 2023 covering the risk area and risk level for forward / reverse motion - we are still seeing minor updates to the standard with more expected but it still only describes the electrical and the data interface so I would say it is still quite limited to a narrow and quite technical communication level . There are a lot of other things around a collision avoidance system that have not yet been standardised such as the EMERST levels , and what testing and validation is needed for the VIC to comply with those levels .”
The understanding is that these elements are being worked on for future updates but it takes time . “ Generally I would say there is a desire and a need for the ISO standard to align with EMESRT to remove a lot of uncertainty and allow a greater streamlining of the whole CAS implementation complexity that currently exists in mining . It would effectively be a way of telling everyone – this is how it should be working .”
On working with OEMs , Nerospec already had a working relationship with GHH on its underground loaders and trucks in South Africa
JANUARY 2025 | International Mining