Automation in Mining

1
Automation in Mining

• Ryan Freeman

2
Overview

• Advantages of Automation
• Safety
• Telemucking
• Remote Bulldozing
• Production
• Jumbos
• Roof Bolter
• Economics
• Real Time Monitoring

3
Overview

• Automation in Surveying
• Disadvantages of Automation
• Future
• Conclusion

4
Safety

• Mining is an inherently dangerous undertaking.
• Thousands of people die every year in mining
  related accidents
• Automation removes people from dangerous work
  areas.

5
Telemucking

• Operation of a loader from a safe, remote
  location.
• Used for operation in unsupported areas (i.e.
  drawpoint, stopes, etc.)

6
Remote Mucking

• Loaders were initially modified to work by remote
  control.
• Still used in mines today.
• Operator must remain in the line of site of the
  loader to control it.
• Many deaths have resulted from operators tripping
  and crushing or running themselves over.

7
Telemucking

• Remote loading is being replaced by telemucking.
• Operator located away from work area.
• Cables link operator to antennae in line of sight
  of equipment.
• Video cameras pointed in several directions allow
  operators to view the loaders work.
• Laser arrangement shuts down machine if someone
  enters the work area.

8
Telemucking

• Henry Walker Eltin (HWE) developed a portable
  telemucker for The Granites Gold Mine.
• Control booth is portable and placed in drive
  near the loader
• Reduces length of cable required.
• Any workers entering area must first walk past
  control booth enabling operator to stop them
  entering area.

9
Remote Bulldozing

• Used at Newcrests Cadia Mine.
• For operation in dangerous locations.
• Used to clear rocks from berms on pitwalls.
• Operator stands at a distance in clear view of
  the bulldozers operation.
• Teleremote not required in open pits as there is
  no line of sight obstructions.

10
Production

• Automation allows for
• better precision,
• faster movement,
• less downtime,
• increased productivity.

11
Development Jumbos

• Automated jumbos allow multiple holes to be
  drilled simultaneously, up to 8 holes at once.
• Drill pattern can be loaded to jumbo computer and
  drilled without operator assistance.

12
Roof Bolters

• In development by the CSIRO in association with
  the Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL).
• Installs roof bolts automatically instead of by
  workers.
• Allows roof bolts to be installed whilst coal
  miner is operating.
• Increases production by removing people from
  dangerous environments.

13
Economics

• Automation reduces operating, maintenance and
  labour costs.
• Automation allows only 6 operators to work
  Newcrests mill at Cadia that includes the worlds
  largest SAG mill.
• Pasmincos Rosebery Mines new automated crusher
  reduced costs and improve performance.

14
Real Time Monitoring

• Installation of GPS in trucks allows truck cycle
  times, speeds, locations, utilisation,
  production, etc. to be calculated quicker and
  more accurately.
• Allows remote monitoring of equipment.

15
Surveying

• Total stations are automated so they can be
  operated by one person instead of two.
• GPS systems can locate the elevation of shovels
  and loaders so that operators can more accurately
  level benches.
• Lasers can be used to line up automated drill
  jumbos so the heading drillholes do not need to
  be marked up.

16
Disadvantages

• Removes subjective decision making from different
  situations.
• Specialised machinery that may not be able to be
  serviced by existing staff.
• Danger of workers being run over by automated
  equipment.

17
Future

• Fully automated mines.
• No underground workers.
• Several trucks operated by single person.
• Increase in telemucking and automated drilling
  and roof bolting

18
Conclusion

• Reduction in staff numbers.
• Lowered unit/mining costs.
• More efficient mining resulting to increase in
  productivity.
• Safer mining environment.