Modern Mining March 2023

AUTOMATION

monitoring, task management and location tracking. Complementing these is the Mobilaris system from Epiroc that uses data from personnel and machines to present real-time positioning and detailed status information in a sophisticated 3D user interface. Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions delivered the development fleet to the VUG in 2019 and 2020 and the first production machines are also now opera tional on site. The fleet will grow as operations ramp up and, ultimately, there will be 60 plus Sandvik units deployed at the VUG. As one of the first steps in its automation jour ney, the VUG is about to commission a pilot project that will prepare the production team for the use of remote loading at the drawpoints and autonomous tramming to the tip. With cave mining, there is a risk of mud-rushes and water ingress at drawpoints and remote loading will allow material to be loaded with out putting operators at risk. “This pilot project will have a single loader oper ating under AutoMine® Lite in a dedicated area on 44 Level that is isolated from other areas of the mine,” says Breed. “The machine will be controlled locally from a mobile tele-remote station just out side the autonomous operating area and not from surface. To facilitate this, we’ve installed a remote operator station and the central control system in a shipping container that has been placed in position close to the test area. “The objective of the exercise is to demonstrate how automation works in an operational environ ment and to identify problems and rectify them before we roll out full automation capability during the production stage.”

than traditional techniques when measured in terms of output against available operating time. Further benefits include efficient and distributed decision making as well as more efficient use of energy. Elaborating on the decision to appoint Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions as the technology partner for the VUG, Marais says De Beers undertook a com prehensive selection process that not only focused on the capabilities of individual machines but also considered each OEM’s technology roadmap and its capabilities to supply, implement and support entire integrated mining systems based on automation. “The key to selecting the OEM was recent proven experience in the automation of mining pro cesses and a track record in supplying complete mining solutions to mechanised mines of a similar size and scale to VUG,” he says. “The proven abil ity of Sandvik to work effectively with Tier 1 mining organisations and underground mining contractors to deliver results in line with commitments provided much-needed risk reduction to VUG.” Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions is responsible for supplying all the primary mining equipment for the VUG for both mine development and produc tion. This includes machines for development and production drilling, rock reinforcement, and loading and hauling. De Beers has generally selected the ‘top-of-range’ offering for each machine type and has also opted for i-Series machines – the ‘i’ denot ing ‘intelligence’ – with remote operating capabilities where available. Sandvik is also supplying its AutoMine® sys tem for the remote operation of loaders and trucks and its OptiMine® system for machine health

An employee using the Thoroughtec simulator at the Venetia Mine training facility.

“The key to selecting the OEM was recent proven experience in the automation of mining processes and a track record in supplying complete mining solutions to mechanised mines of a similar size and scale to VUG,” Marais says.

34  MODERN MINING  March 2023