Modern Mining May 2024

for successful PDS adoption

The Booyco CXS solution providing a comprehensive and integrated response to Level 7, Level 8 and Level 9 safety levels – as defined by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT).

travelling at more than 40 km/h, which is a regular occurrence at surface operations. It is not as easy to bring such equipment safely to a controlled slower state or standstill,” he explains. Challenges plaguing industry The cost of implementing overall CPS is exorbitant and some miners, such as those in the platinum group metals (PGM) sector who are currently facing weak demand and a decline in the price of the com modity, are under massive pressure operationally and have multiple challenges in addition to investing in the adoption of PDS. Added to this, unemployment remains a key concern as some businesses mull issuing Section 189 notices, which are designed for companies to retrench personnel if they are lossmaking. “Apart from the capital outlay for acquiring PDS and OEM interfacing technology, the in-direct cost of implementation, e.g. production equipment unavail able for the duration of PDS installation, subsequent maintenance and training of personnel on prod uct, use all add to the total cost of adopting PDS. However, what is important to note is that this is a journey all stakeholders need to engage in and with which all mining houses, big or small, have to comply.” On the upside On a more positive note, with there being a “wide” interpretation of the regulation, miners are asking the question: Which is the best type of PDS technol ogy for my operation? “Ultimately,” Lourens explains, “PDS technology should address specifically identified Significant Risk for each operation. We are noticing that regulators of different regions are assuming different approaches to working with customers adopting the technology and complying to the legislation. As it stands, there is no technology template for the different types

Technology is a great enabler, but human behaviour plays a major role in achieving Zero Harm.

All Booyco PDS systems are tested rigorously to ensure they meet the required standards. from the implementation of the new machinery reg ulations, including understanding the unintended consequences of PDS deployment and continuous training, which is something Booyco Electronics flags in its change management sessions. Lourens explains: “If you can measure something, you are able to manage it. As such, the focus is increasingly shifting to data management, reporting and using data for change management and educa tion. This is unlocking value and leading to improved efficiencies and productivity.” Gartner, a provider of research and consulting services for businesses in the IT sector, is undertak ing research in the digital twin space and simulating real life challenges around traffic management. Says Lourens: “There are several scenarios that improve the separation of people from machines in the underground space being evaluated. Furthermore, the adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) devices and having connectivity is going a long way in aligning evolving technology with opportunities in the PDS space.” Although the regulation – promulgated in December 2022 – is fairly recent, the underground mining environment outpaces surface environments in the adoption of PDS. “Equipment speeds in underground environ ments typically range below 20 km/h, which means that it is easier for equipment to stop more quickly and safely, unlike halting a fully loaded surface truck

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