Modern Mining Marchh 2017

COVER STORY

not only with deployment and configuration of solutions but also ongoing training for office and field personnel including operator and technical roles, as well as providing applica- tion and reporting support right through to database level. To sustain value, Barloworld Equipment offers ongoing assessments to benchmark performance and identify areas needing improvement. “Sometimes it’s training, some- times coaching, and sometimes we act as the voice of the customer to provide feedback on where Cat products could be further developed to offer more value in our particular market.” Briggs explains that the support offered to digital technical solutions is on the same level as the technical support offered for Cat machines in the field. This includes a field support team to install, maintain and repair technology hardware and software, product specialists tasked with supporting Cat MineStar System, and a Condition Monitoring Centre at its Boksburg facility that collects and reports on data from technology solutions. The centre receives information from tech- nology systems, compiles databases and customises reports, which are then sent to the relevant parties. “The Condition Monitoring Centre becomes part of the solution by providing valuable insight into equipment management that cus- tomers use on a daily basis,” says Briggs. “This is where we get the detail that tells us where action is needed to prevent loss of production due to premature failures, for example. “All this is further backed by a global online support portal offering 24/7/365 support for the applications in use at customer sites.” How can mining customers be sure that digi- tal technology will work for them? “It largely depends on whether the customer has the right recipe for success,” says Briggs. “Technology alone cannot offer as much value as people, pro- cess and technology. So, if you change one, you probably have to make changes in the other two. “I spend most of my time not selling technol- ogy, but helping customers on their journey to a digital future. We all know that the pace of technology is rapid, but its success depends on whether people are ready to embrace it.” Khumani iron ore mine Assmang’s Khumani iron ore mine has shared a successful partnership with Barloworld Equipment since inception in 2008 and runs more than 30 Cat 789C 200-ton trucks as part of its Cat mining fleet. The mine needed to ramp up its hauling efficiency and a needs analysis by

stations with real time video of on-board cam- eras and stream of in-cab audio.

Data analysis showing a mine road network.

Getting on board Barloworld Equipment’s emphasis is first on the customer and second on the earthmoving equipment brands on a site. “The focus is to deliver solutions that add value, no matter what the brand,” says Briggs. “We see the tech- nology as a site level solution as opposed to a machine level solution.” The role of the Cat dealer is vital in struc- turing the solution, he points out. “We help customers to achieve their goals by selecting different Caterpillar technologies and packag- ing them to suit the customer’s specific needs, operations, equipment and site conditions. Rarely do we have exactly the same solution implemented at multiple sites.” Digital technology creates data. Under­ standing it is the difficult part. When you are running an operation that is optimal, how do you squeeze an extra 5 % out of the same assets? Cat MineStar System capability sets generate the data. Barloworld Equipment and Caterpillar make that data work for the customer. “Sometimes this is just measuring produc- tion, but it’s becoming more about supporting decision making as well. Our ability to offer the customer a blasthole drill, a shovel to load the truck and a technology that can manage those processes drives efficiency throughout the value chain,” says Briggs. Barloworld Equipment technology group Barloworld Equipment has a dedicated tech- nology group that works with the company’s operations across Southern Africa to develop sustainable and scalable technology enabled solutions. The technology group supports customers

“We see the technology as a site level solution as opposed to a machine level solution.”

18  MODERN MINING  March 2017