SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT
Could a new scalable solution kickstart a dramatic modernisation of mining processes?
THEAUTOMATION REVOLUTION
T
he workforce in the mining industry is declining. Remote, hazardous environments and competition from other sectors are making it
more difficult to attract new people to the sector. Te Mining Association of Canada estimates that 10,000 new workers are required annually for the next decade to fill new positions and replace current ones. Likewise, the Australian Minerals Council
predicts a shortfall of 86,000 workers. Tis is causing big challenges for mining operations across the world. One solution to a declining workforce is to automate the processes through fully autonomous mining equipment. It significantly improves efficiency and productivity by enabling vehicles to operate for longer, or by enabling an operator to control multiple vehicles. It provides a
considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, which has running cost and environmental benefits. But arguably its biggest benefit is a step-change improvement in safety. However, one of the biggest barriers to adoption is the sizeable investment required in replacing existing high-value fleets with new autonomous versions.
Leading vehicle automation provider,
ABD Solutions, has developed a solution to the problem. Its newly launched Indigo Drive is a software eco-system that enables any existing mining vehicle to be quickly and cost-effectively automated. Matthew Price, managing director
of ABD Solutions, explains how this technology can combat the workforce challenge: “Operators are not only looking for a long-term solution as the industry moves towards autonomy, they also need to plug the immediate workforce gaps now. Te flexibility of Indigo Drive allows it to be easily scaled to achieve autonomy quickly and simply to areas of the operation that
An automated RA30 with ABD Solutions’ Indigo Drive installed
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