COLLISION AVOIDANCE
make software changes to the system required by the end user to adapt our solution to their environment .”
On the general SA situation , Venter feels MPI is ready for the deployment of Level 9 in SA , but adds that the industry as a whole is not ready with some OEMs not having a solution yet or have not partnered with a third party VIC provider . “ Also with no legislative guidelines in place , we have to follow best practice like the MOSH and EMESRT standards . Implementation differs from region to region no clear directive from the DMRE currently . Our deployment process is that the mines evaluate their risk assessments , their traffic flow analysis and control levels 1-6 in order to define their user requirements that will assist the CxD supplier to be able to provide the necessary solution that is required by the end user . It is also critical for the end user to involve all stakeholders .”
Minetec roll outs in progress
Gurban Zeynalov , CEO , Minetec Smart Mining comments : " South Africa is currently a hotspot for CAS with many competitors emerging . Some CAS manufacturers have been here for a long time already and have strong products based on long experience . When Opsicol Mining Group , one of the larger mining contractors in South Africa , in 2018 decided to introduce collision awareness across their fleet , they could not find a CAS product on the market which suited their business needs . So , Opsicol asked their sister company Minetec Smart Mining to look into options to get to such a suited CAS . Based on the requirements and a tight cooperation with straight real-world feedback from Opsicol , at Minetec we have conceived our CAS as an IT hub in the cabin with collision awareness but also many more functions . This is why we are proud to say that Minetec products are from miners for miners .”
The Minetec CAS , beyond the meanwhile wellknown , classical collision awareness functions , integrates a reverse camera on the screen , biometric key control , radars , various input / output options eg for boom gate operation or specific sensor connection , and much more . Zeynalov also mentioned that “ our CAS has been fully operational at Level 8 on more than a thousand equipment units on many sites and on multiple continents for many years with happy customers . Our growing customer base provides even more valuable feedback which is flowing into new developments .” The Minetec CAS suite is into its 4th generation and consists of a Level 8 device with its colour touchscreen , plus a smaller Level 8 Lite device with direction indications , and a Personal Unit .”
The Level 8 device is the most used due to its versatility and expandability . Other than typically for LDVs , the Level 8 Lite device is often used for visitors and for equipment with a narrow cabin like dozers . Minetec says it supports the installed base continuously with updates and upgrades to protect the investment of our customers .
Moreover , the Minetec CAS is part of a larger ecosystem which includes load and production monitoring , asset management , fuel monitoring , fuel automation , and more . Another interesting aspect of working with Opsicol from the beginning is that the Minetec products are optimised for easy installation and maintenance from inception : for every miner it is important that equipment downtimes are minimised and whenever possible installation and maintenance work is done during scheduled equipment maintenance .
All Minetec products work with Minetec ‘ s Smart Manager server software , pooling respective data , which provides a large variety of transparent reporting and alerting , detailed configurations , easy customisation and further options , which also include monitoring of device health , site specific information like alert hotspots , safety and production KPIs , etc . Many customers use the Smart Server in the cloud , however , a site server option is available .
Given the requirements of the DMRE in South Africa , the Minetec CAS is also Level 9 ready with roll-outs in progress . Zeynalov : “ The Minetec CAS Level 9 implementation may be specifically interesting as it provides important monitoring and reporting functions of Level 9 operation to the mine . Minetec Level 9 is currently implemented on Bell Equipment ADTs , with Volvo and further OEMs in the works . Minetec is also actively participating in ISO21815 standardisation , so Minetec ’ s experience with Level 9 implementation is directly influencing this important standard .”
Bell Equipment provides flexibility and options
South African OEM Bell Equipment reports an influx of enquiries from local mining customers wanting ADTs that can be fitted with proximity detection systems ( PDS ) and collision avoidance systems ( CAS ) following new mining regulations that came into effect in December 2022 .
In terms of the regulations , diesel-powered , trackless mobile machines must be able to automatically detect the presence of pedestrians and other diesel-powered , trackless mobile machines in the vicinity , and provide an effective warning . Where no action is taken to prevent a potential collision , the machine must be able to “ fail to safe ” without human intervention by means of a system that has the means to retard the machine to a safe speed whereafter the brakes are autonomically applied .
Bell Equipment OEM Product Manager ,
Jeremiah Mokhomo , says : “ Our Pin 3 E-series ADTs , introduced towards the end of 2020 , are built ready to integrate with a wide range of proximity detection systems ( PDS ) or collision avoidance systems ( CAS ) up to Level 9 . This was a natural progression for Bell because our earlier E-series trucks introduced huge advances in automation to offer industry-leading levels of driver and machine protection . Standard features such as starting , daily checks , bin tipping , and switch off / turn spin down have been automated , and the horn is automated to sound upon vehicle start-up and when selecting forward or reverse . In addition to automatic speed control and retardation , the ADTs are fitted with automatic traction control .”
Explaining the difference between PDS and CAS , and how a Bell ADT integrates with a thirdparty system , he says : “ PDS improves the operator ' s awareness by detecting potential collision threats and warning the operator visually and audibly , whereas CAS intervenes by either slowing the vehicle down or stopping it to prevent or at least reduce the severity of collisions between equipped vehicles and equipped pedestrians . Bell provides a PDS gateway controller ( ISO 21815-2 ) for a PDS / CAS to connect to a Bell ADT . The third-party PDS / CAS then does the detection and gives commands while the execution of these commands and the control of the truck is Bell Equipment ’ s responsibility .”
According to Mokhomo , because Bell Equipment ’ s ADT innovation has been steadily moving towards PDS / CAS , older trucks from the D-series Pin 4 can be retrofitted with a PDS aftermarket kit . This enables customers to fit a PDS or CAS into an existing truck at a fraction of the cost of a new PDS / CAS-ready machine .
He adds : “ Bell ADT owners can outfit their trucks with the latest and most advanced safety technology on the market to comply with regulations and ensure the safety of their operators , pedestrians , and other mobile equipment on the job site . At the same time , they have the flexibility to choose a PDS / CAS solution that best suits their needs and budget , and the option of fitting this solution to a new PDS / CASready Bell ADT , or an older Bell ADT retrofitted with a PDS kit .
He additionally told IM : “ Bell Equipment has an open invitation to suppliers of PDS and CAS software to test their systems for compatibility with our Bell ADTs . So far at least 10 different suppliers have tested their systems on different customer sites and the test track at the Bell Farm outside Empangeni . Over 10 customers who have tested the various systems have ordered them and are successfully using them in their operations . Any PDS / CAS suppliers who would like to test their systems are welcome to contact
International Mining | JANUARY 2024