In an effort to boost national mining productivity and efficiency, Australia’s continually changing multi-billion dollar mining services and technology industry is working to develop the future of mining techniques, with mining automation showing exciting promise.
Australian mining is seeing a boom that is reporting unprecedented levels of mining productivity, with major companies expanding their operations significantly.
According to United Press International, BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mining site has been given the go ahead for a $30 billion expansion project that will build an open pit mine for the extraction of copper, uranium and gold. BHP says the mine is expected to produce up to 750,000 tons for decades.
The mining industry in Australia reportedly brings in $80 billion each year of gross value added to the country’s economy.
And with many companies expanding as fast at BHP, it is essential that new technologies be developed at the same pace that will continue to increase productivity and efficiency, Mining Australia reports.
To meet this demand, many companies are investing large amounts of resources into developing and deploying remote automation and robotic machinery. As Australian mines tend to be built in highly isolated locations, mining automation and unmanned machines are gaining more attention in the industry. With these technologies, it is possible to connect the individual processes associated with mining into an integrated and highly productive environment.
In the past 10 years, smart technologies have been developed that support new remote automation and robotic machine applications. These improvements have been especially helpful in central processing unit capacity and other mining services, the news source stated.
While intelligent software has been talked of for years, it was only recently that breakthroughs in autonomous, cooperating agents have led to actual mining efficiency improvements. By applying new technologies and software to a mining system, managers can make collaborative decisions when problems arise.
However, the new systems still face limitations inherent to human involvement in the mining process. To that end, artificial intelligence is being developed to aid in mining operations.
Applying automated systems that monitor mining processes can significantly impact mining efficiency. These “smart devices” include embedded processors and sensors that can provide ample amounts of information for managers to review.
As a typical mining environment involves drilling, blasting and transporting materials that have been crushed and ground, diverse mining equipment must be regularly monitored to ensure the utmost efficiency. With new remote automation technology, sensors can provide data that can be used to impose more control of the entire mining process, according to the news provider.
One example of how technology is aiding in mining efficiency is evident in Identec Solution’s new “i-GET” technology, which utilizes sensors placed in a digging machine’s Ground Engaging Tools (GET), which cause major problems when broken off. If a GET is broken off during digging operations, crews are immediately notified in the control center and can shut off the machine to prevent further damage.
Robotics is also playing a major role in Australia’s mining industry, which offers precise automation and equipment positioning, allowing for trucks and advanced drilling systems to be controlled without the worry of human variables affecting productivity.
And the development of new, groundbreaking technologies won’t be slowing down anytime soon, Mining Australia reports. Further advances in techniques to improve equipment maintenance outcomes and efficiency are currently being studied, as well as tools that keep track of vehicle and equipment location.
As mining expands, the tools and technologies needed to keep the industry growing will likely meet the needs of miners in Australia and the rest of the mining world.
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