Electricity + Control March 2019

round up

INDUSTRY 4.0 + INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT)

Automation can make mining smarter and safer

span the entire mining process, from exploration through to mine production, and cater for all mining operation needs. We also pro- vide post-implementation support.” Micromine’s research and development teams focus on fore- casting what the company’s clients and future clients will need in their software toolkit. “This means we have to think about where the industry is going. Our products evolve constantly. Every major update comes with multiple service packs to fine-tune that prod- uct,” says Sternslow. In this regard, Micromine is developing new underground min- ing precision performance software that uses machine learning to refine and enhance loading and haulage processes. It will be released as part of the Pitram fleet management and mine con- trol solution. Using the processes of computer vision and deep machine learning, on-board cameras are placed on loaders to track variables such as loading, hauling, dumping, and travelling empty time. The video feed is processed on the Pitram vehicle computer edge device. The extracted information is then transferred to Pit- ram servers for processing and analysis. In environments where network connectivity is intermittent or does not exist, field computers become critical for computations and integration. Geobank Mobile is designed to operate in this edge com- puting environment. It has the ability to integrate directly with field measurement devices to deliver a practical and efficient solution to the user. “An exciting new development in terms of Geobank Mobile is its integration with digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras to cap- ture imagery of the drill hole core,” says Gilbey. AngloGold Ashanti Australia, for example, is using this technology with a camera mounted to a mechanised track that sits above the chip tray. It automatically takes photographs of drill hole geological chip samples. These photographs are fed from the camera to the Geobank Mobile solution, which has been configured to rename the file based on the hole identifier. As an industry leader in mining software and with offices around the world, Micromine offers an advisory service to its clients as well as solutions for different needs through- out the mining cycle. Enquiries: Micromine. Kate Gilbey, email kgilbey@micromine.com

Mining operations are looking at new ways of extracting ore from rock, advancing mining safety and boosting operational efficiencies. Innovations such as automated drilling in high-risk underground are- as, for example, can enhance safety and support productivity. Software solutions like Pitram from Micromine can assist min- ing operations to automate processes, track data and increase ef- ficiency. Pitram is a fully-configurable solution that captures, moni- tors and reports on operational and production data. Micromine Africa Marketing Coordinator, Craig Sternslow, says, “Currently Pitram is being developed with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning functionalities in the software to take the product to the next level.” Kate Gilbey, Micromine Global Marketing Manager, points to the ongoing trend towards ‘smart’ optimisation in mining, supported by increasing automation and AI. In an industry like mining, where improving productivity is crucial to profitability, even small improve- ments in yields, speed and efficiency can make a substantial impact. “AI and machine learning can assist mining companies to find min- erals, a critical component of any ‘smart’ mining operation. Although AI and machine learning is still relatively new in the mining indus- try, many companies are excited about the prospect of being able to reduce personnel risks, obtain real-time data and make processes more efficient through these types of advances,” Gilbey highlights. She adds that Micromine’s software solutions can be adapted to meet the needs of a client’s operations as they evolve and change. “This represents a capital saving to clients, as they can continue using elements of their original, familiar application. Our solutions

Full digital factory

IT, cloud

HMI NA

Factory automation network

Software Sysmac Studio

Horizontal integration M2M - Machine to Machine

Machine Controller NJ

Real-time machine network

Motion

Safety

I/O

Vision

Intelligent sensing

1S Servo system

NX I/O

GX I/O (IP67)

MX2 inverter

NX Safety

FH

Sensing

Vertical integration

E3Z photoelectric sensor

E3S-DC mark sensor

LD mobile robot

E2E/Q proximity sensor

• Assured compatibility • Faster commissioning • Easy integration

Would you like to knowmore? +27 (0)11 579 2600 info.sa@eu.omron.com industrial.omron.co.za

Pitram is a software solution developed to capture, monitor and report on data tracked throughout mining operations.