Modern Mining September 2024

Head of Sibanye Stillwater Digital Mining Laboratory graduates with a PhD in engineering from Wits

VEGA’s range of sensors.

monitoring and control of the slurry level, which can be critical in maintaining the efficiency of various industrial processes. Safeguarding equipment and optimizing processes The VEGAPULS can be set to trigger alarms if the liquid level deviates from the desired range. This early warning system can help prevent issues and facilitate timely maintenance. It also offers remote monitoring capabilities, which allow operators to access real-time level data from a control room or remotely, enhancing operational efficiency and safety. The VEGAPULS can provide early warnings of any abnormal process conditions or potential issues that may require maintenance or adjustments. The sensor data can be logged and analysed to identify trends and patterns in the thickening process. Historical data can be used to improve process efficiency and optimize the use of resources. The gold standard in process control VEGA’s measuring instruments are an invaluable tool for continuously monitoring the level of settled solids in a thickener tank, which indirectly provides information about the rake drive position and its impact on the thickening process. The VEGAPULS assists in better process control, automation, and optimisation, leading to improved efficiency and productivity in mining and mineral processing operations at the gold mine in Tanzania. The VEGAPULS stands out as an indispensable instrument for achieving precision in liquid-level measurement and control within various industrial processes. VEGA’s leadership in the mining industry testifies to the company’s expertise and commitment to excellence. The final step of the process VEGA sensors are typically straightforward to install and configure, making them user-friendly for operators. The seamless installation process empowers instrumentation technicians to handle the setup themselves and, in times of need, VEGA’s dedicated technicians are just a phone call away. The VEGA technicians offer valuable guidance, readily addressing installation inquiries, and providing troubleshooting support when necessary. This combination of reliable technology and accessible expertise makes VEGA a trusted partner in the pursuit of operational efficiency and accuracy in liquid-level management for industrial applications. “For more than 16 years, our gold mine has maintained a steadfast partnership with VEGA. Our confidence in VEGA Instruments is underpinned by their accuracy and durability. During this installation, we took charge ourselves, although VEGA’s technicians offered their assistance on multiple occasions. The sensors proved easy to install, and expert technical support was just a phone call away,” the client concluded. 

I n a celebratory ceremony held at Wits Great Hall on 8 July 2024, Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Mahboob, the Head of the Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at Wits University, was awarded his PhD in engineering from the School of Mining Engineering, Wits University. Mahboob’s PhD thesis, A Data Science Framework for Mineral Resource Exploration and Estimation Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning , merges data science, satellite imagery, and machine learning to revolutionize mineral exploration. By swiftly identifying mineral-rich sites, especially in remote areas, it accelerates critical mineral extraction, contributing significantly to green technology production and advancing global sustainability and climate change mitigation. “This PhD has a big positive impact on society, and it will truly add more value to the DigiMine facility to accelerate the research and innovation that is currently underway. It will also have a long term positive impact on both my personal and professional goals at Wits,” said Mahboob. Mahboob has led the Sibanye-Stillwater Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at Wits University since 2019, driving research and innovation in the application of digital technologies in the mining industry to enhance safety, security, and sustainability. His research interests include geoinformatics, spatial data analysis, data sciences and modelling, and cyber-physical systems integration. The DigiMine laboratory aims to make mining safer and more sustainable through digital technologies that enable a mine’s control system to autonomously observe, evaluate, and respond in real-time. Under Mahboob’s leadership, the DigiMine team collaborates with commercial, academic and industry partners to transfer surface digital technologies into the underground mining environment.  Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Mahboob, the Head of the Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at Wits University.

SEPTEMBER 2024 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  27