Modern Mining May 2020

unlocked through these types of systems. Naidu is of the view that to describe the benefits of automation, it is always wise to understand the environment in which these technologies will be deployed, for instance room and pillar, narrow vein stoping or large-scale mechanised mining (long wall mining, sub-level-caving, block caving). Understanding the environment When considering large-scale mechanised mining, says Naidu, it is clear that there exists more oppor- tunities to deploy autonomous and digital systems. “Supporting infrastructure costs can be rationalised and the mine layouts are ideal in facilitating repeat- able activities that automated systems excel at. These types of operations typically focus on autono- mous drilling, loading and hauling – all potentially controlled from a remotely located centralised hub,” he says. Room and pillar operations, he says, are slightly more complex in that the number of activities on- going in the production area, at any moment in time, requires an advanced level of traffic management that must account for human-machine interactions. It becomes challenging to isolate autonomous zones while ensuring the highest levels of safety in this type of mining environment. “For narrow vein stoping operations the continu- ously changing environment does not lend itself to the idealised image of automation. Kilometres of undulating tunnels chasing high value deposits makes this type of mining more sensitive to cost ver- sus benefit considerations,” says Naidu. For instance:  What is the optimal solution to provide the right level of wireless communication (which is neces- sary to enable almost all digital and autonomous systems) in the areas they are required?  Can mine layouts be adapted to accommodate autonomous systems without constraining access to other active areas? The nuances associated with both room and pillar mining and narrow vein mining, says Naidu, don’t imply that there is no place for autonomous

technology, instead mining operations that face these constrains could consider the deployment of appropriate technologies that improve operational transparency or enable their workforce to perform their jobs with highest precision, as efficiently as possible. “In general, mining operations that embark on digitalisation journeys could all benefit from ‘on- board operator assist’ functionality and systems that improve the process of planning, dispatching of tasks and equipment health monitoring,” he says. On-board autonomous features include full face automation on development drill rigs; full fan automation on production drill rigs; driver assist on loaders and trucks; tele-remote control of equipment from a central control room; wireless uploading of pre-designed and setup drill plans; automatic bit changing and automatic rod handling. In the scenario of a production drill rig equipped with full fan automation, says Naidu, operators could set up their equipment to press a button, then step out of the cab to perform other activities. In addition to improving the effective utilisation of these opera- tors, the equipment will drill holes tirelessly in strict accordance to its programmed directive, resulting in

Automation and data centric systems working in harmony in the Epiroc Control Tower.

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May 2020  MODERN MINING  37