There is great potential in the mining industry to see zero-entry autonomous mining in our lifetime and experience the benefits it could provide. Zero-entry mining refers to not having any people located in the mining area where the autonomous equipment is operating. The size of an autonomous operating zone can vary from site to site, ranging between one combined load and dump area to encompassing the entire mining operation.
The current state of play
The mining industry is proceeding with the automation it can do, rather than the automation it would prefer to do. The development of autonomous technology has fallen to the larger OEMs in partnership with major mining companies. That’s why we’ve seen automation mainly in the haulage and drill fleet areas.
The full benefit from autonomy will not arrive until there are no people in autonomous operating zones. To create zero-entry mining, there must be systematic coordination of all mining in a smart, integrated and totally interoperable ecosystem. This means industry-wider collaboration between OEM’s, third-party suppliers, miners and data-system vendors, to create the equipment, hardware and software.
Reaping the benefits
1. Safer, healthier mining
Whether all mining machines are remote-controlled or fully autonomous, their key characteristic of zero entry mining is the fact that no people are working inside the mine. Does this make it controversial? Well, it depends on the level of machine autonomy, but often it can enable operators to just spend more time outside the mine, as opposed to being out of a job altogether.
The hazardous nature of mining ore means that where you might not have been able to mine some sites at all due to the risk to human life, with the adoption of robotics you now can. As such, digital alternatives can enable more mining opportunities.
And ultimately, the risk of staff sustaining severe (and potentially life-threatening) injuries reduces with autonomous fleets, and the overall safety of a mining site is equally improved.
2. Increased productivity, staff retention and project success
The ability to run things by remote control can benefit staff’s health, as this approach accommodates more ergonomic operational positions that cause less physiological stress and impact.
Aurecon have talked about the copious benefits to be found in autonomous mining, “Adopting semi- or fully-autonomous mining automation can provide golden opportunities for miners to become more efficient, boost production and cut costs while making the work environment safer.”
In addition to your mine’s safety, zero entry mining also increases its overall productivity level. After implementing autonomous fleets, some mines have seen their productivity levels increase by 30%. A reliable connection by satellite or other means is key in seeing improvements like this.
One example is the ability to operate multiple loaders from the surface, which increases productivity and your overall production. And sensors on machines means that maintenance can be managed with more predictability.
3. Reduces operational cost
Productivity is one way a mining project can improve cost-effectiveness. But there are several other ways that autonomous fleet/ zero entry mining technology can influence reduction in running costs.
For example, sudden acceleration and abrupt steering for your vehicles is decreased (or even ceases) when running vehicles autonomously, which in turn, can extend the lifespan of tyres.
Lowering the frequency of replacing parts, can significantly improve running costs. Aside from this increased tyre longevity, zero entry mining can help machines run more consistently.
Consistent running leads to less wear and tear, which in turn means lower maintenance costs.
4. Lowers your mine’s environmental impact
There is another compelling reason zero-entry mining is becoming a popular option – and that is due to its low impact on the environment.
It provides the opportunity to make angles in open pits steeper and ramps narrower, meaning you can eliminate unnecessary impact on the land.
Going back to future is not without its challenges
We need to remember that zero-entry mining is a vision – but an important one. There will still be plenty of technical challenges to overcome; equipment interoperability constraints, centralised autonomous equipment decisions, and overreliance on ubiquitous communications networks. There are also the social challenges to overcome, particularly in remote communities, in which the miners operate.
There is also currently a lack of standards across the industry for mining automation. To overcome these challenges requires a conjunction between state and federal governments, industry bodies and industry companies to map out a research and trial agenda of projects to address these challenges.
What about people?
Today, the mining sector is one of Australia’s biggest employers. It’s a natural question to ask how semi- or fully-autonomous automation in mines might affect jobs. We know that jobs will still be required, but the mix of skills is still unknown.
Achieving operational efficiency and productivity from autonomous operation will require a different skill set compared to those of traditionally manned equipment.
This could be an opportunity for upskilling. Mining companies may also take the opportunity to change the location of their workers to remotely operate equipment from major cities opting for more family friendly rosters. Mining companies need to keep a focus on the long-term flow-on effects as a source of jobs, particularly in the remote communities they operate in.
Ultimately, zero-entry mining will bring about the re-design of jobs and personnel structure in completely different ways
How far into the future?
The belief exists that zero-entry autonomous mining is achievable. Indeed, there is a groundswell of support around the concept, and some companies are expanding their operations at the moment. How long until we see autonomous mining as mainstream operation?
As the industry looks further into the future for tomorrow’s opportunities, the strategic alignment that zero-entry mining provides to gain improvements and efficiencies far outweighs the challenges.
Source - Aurecon, ORION
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