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AUTOMATION


generation) is more comprehensive and user friendly than ever before. Touchscreens display clear, coloured menus to remotely review and drill planned patterns. RCS5 has simple fault-finding and diesel engine information. It also offers fast data transmission of information, enabling informed decision-making quickly. Data collection can be collected in different formats and then reviewed using different programs and integration. IREDES (International Rock Excavation Data Exchange Standard) is the file format used for electronic drill plans, drill quality logs and navigation information files, which can be created using Underground Manager or other design programs with the correct export functionality. Remote operation technology enables operators to control machines from a safe location. Atlas Copco’s automated drilling system is able


to operate in challenging open and subterranean mines, ensuring holes are correctly collared, drilled to the correct depth in the correct position and cleaned. Its intelligent monitoring system detects when a drill-bit is jammed. Rod changing is by Automatic Multi Pass. In addition Atlas Copco has a


remote data collection and viewing program (Remote Monitoring) to retrieve data wirelessly through an installed network or via a handheld device. Tis data can include total drill metres, total tonnes, utilisation and machine faults in a standard OPC format, which can be integrated into other control systems. Drilling information from underground rigs can include penetration rate, dampening pressure, rotation speed, and water flow, which can be collated and viewed using the company’s Underground Manager system.


What’s next? Autonomous mining is progressing rapidly throughout the world and will continue to move forward, but how quickly and how fully depends on a variety of factors, not entirely economic. Environmental concerns play a part and so do improvements in working conditions. Te global spread and inevitable onward development of this technology plus the spur of commercial competition are probably the factors that will provide the ‘tip’. In the future we might expect


remote mine operators to be driven to work in their autonomous cars to work in fully autonomous mines and live a life surrounded and to some extent governed, by the technology by which they’re served. However, changing circumstances and external influences are bound to have their effects, so the nature of the technology and its application remains uncertain. l


Is the equipment at your mine operating at peak performance?


IDCON Can Help!


We specialize in equipment reliability and maintenance management solutions that will streamline your processes, right-size your inventory and maximize production time.


For more information about how IDCON can help, go to www.idcon.com or call us at 1-800-849-2041


Results Oriented Reliability and Maintenance Consulting and Training For more information ✔ at www.engineerlive.com/ime


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