FLEET MANAGEMENT vision and have the correct team to get us there . We flipped the switch , and we haven ’ t gone backwards . We immediately started using MineStar Fleet ’ s open assignment , load-hauldump and auto fuel advanced features .”
Cat MineStar Fleet automatically records and tracks data up and down a mine ’ s value chain , providing insights that help miners identify what is working and fix what is not to meet production targets , Caterpillar says . Fleet allows miners to view the entire operation at a glance on a computer and gain insights into key cost drivers – such as fuel , tyres , service parts and idle time – and improve haul fleet production and shovel utilisation .
RPMGlobal ' s MinVu and optimising your FMS
Michael Sydes , Product Manager – MinVu at RPMGlobal told IM that all sites struggle with the same data problems : disparate systems produce data in differing resolutions , formats , and methodologies . “ An inability to easily access to the operation ’ s data and questionable data quality quickly erodes trust in what an operation ’ s systems tell them . MinVu solves this problem by integrating , validating , and augmenting data from dozens of systems using a data collector library that has been refined over the past 25 years . These collectors are being used across the industry within different organisations , sites , operations , and commodities . MinVu covers anything from haulage to drilling , draglines to dozers , and equipment activity to fixed plant .”
MinVu ’ s data collectors validate and repair data as it is pulled into the system , removing the noise and alerting system owners to issues found in the source systems . This not only improves the quality of data in MinVu , but the quality of data in the source systems themselves . Sydes : “ MinVu standardises , cleanses , and compares data across Fleet Management and High Precision GPS Systems allowing for consistent reporting and benchmarking to maximise the value invested in these solutions . MinVu ’ s true strength is the power it puts back in the hands of those who use it , for those who want to use data to manage rather than spend time managing data .”
Once collected , the operation ’ s validated data is run through MinVu ’ s various post-processing techniques . One example of this would be the Truck Cycles engine , which analyses the activity of the truck , excavator , and all surrounding trucks to split each cycle into 38 distinct components . “ Not only does this provide detailed information on elements of the cycle like spotting or queueing , but information on the root cause of each of these elements . Using this information quickly highlights inefficiencies in an operation ’ s or individual ’ s behaviours , allowing for changes to be made within a shift , or long-term historical trends to be analysed to see if the problems are endemic .”
He adds that MinVu provides unmatched access to an operation ’ s data in the form of a Tabular Model , ready for use with any data warehouse or reporting solution such as Microsoft ' s Power BI . Hundreds of calculations are built into the model , enabling easy and intuitive drag-and-drop style reporting for the end user , removing the technical hurdle or steep learning curve found in many other solutions . IM
MAY 2024 | International Mining