Coal Age

MAY 2013

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operating ideas continued systems. Companies can choose from a range of autonomous operations, from more simplistic remote monitoring equipment to fully autonomous systems, depending on the particular mine operation and requirements. Progressive mining companies are beginning to implement automated systems, with the rest of the industry expected to follow suit. To address the changing needs of its customers, Sandvik Mining recently launched an automation system for rotary drill rigs, known as AutoMine Rotary Drilling. AutoMine Rotary Drilling provides an opportunity for companies to enhance their operations through advanced technology. Sandvik AutoMine Rotary Drilling is offered in three levels of autonomy. Level one is basic automation, where an operator is in the seat, but the machine is sending health monitoring and diagnostic data back to the command center. Level two removes more of the reliance on the operator for drilling a hole, and the operator remains on the rig. At the highest level, the drill will tram, level, drill and move to the next hole location autonomously, with an operator choreographing up to five rigs from a remote command center. Autonomous tramming between hole locations is accomplished by the use of high-precision Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS receivers. Four hazard avoidance cameras (HazCam) detect obstacles in the drill's path, and the area the drill is operating in is surrounded by a geo fence that prevents the drill from tramming into terrain that may be hazardous. Once in position, the machine levels up, sets the mast angle to the required angle, and starts to drill. The machine autonomously adds drill rods to achieve the desired hole depth and then removes them upon completion. Finally, the drill retracts its jacks and moves on to the next hole. During the entire process, the machine is collecting production data such as geology and drilling times, and penetration rates. Sandvik Mining has a fully autonomous D90KS multi-pass rotary drill in production at a mine site in Australia, and a number of new AutoMine-equipped drills will be deployed in 2013. Sandvik Mining partnered with Flanders to develop this solution. Automation is the key enabler in low grade and difficult environments. Before the introduction of automation, mining operations with these challenges were not always economically possible. The benefits May 2013 One drill operator can choreograph up to five rigs from a remote command center. of mine automation far outweigh the associated costs and challenges. Such innovations can significantly reduce the risks to human health and safety, as well as deliver process and systems efficiencies that would otherwise be impossible. As the mining industry continues to fully realize and use automation's potential, Sandvik Mining stands at the forefront of autonomous operations. They will contin- ue to strive to implement innovative and high-quality equipment that first and foremost illustrates their priority toward safety. Sandvik AutoMine Rotary Drilling brings a new level of safety and productivity to surface mines globally. Stapylton is vice president of rotary drilling at Sandvik Mining. www.mining.sandvik.com www.coalage.com 53

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