Company insight
Improved mining with data collection
Data collection is key to ensuring mining operations are safe, accurate and efficient. With that in mind, J.H Fletcher & Co offers a wide range of drill jumbos that incorporate graphic operator angle display systems designed to improve accuracy and data collection abilities.
elements driving today’s technologically advanced world. These developments are enabling the industry to harness data through sensors and digitised feedback mechanisms to help improve the efficiency of mining operations, while also enhancing safety and sustainability.
M Good GOAD
The role of data collection in the mining industry is significant, particularly in drilling operations where graphic operator angle display (GOAD) systems on drill jumbos can positively impact the accuracy and productivity of drill and blast cycles.
J.H Fletcher & Co offer a tiered range of GOAD systems as an option on all Fletcher drill jumbos, with each tier adding an extra element of automation. Customers can also request additional sensors, which are placed on the machines to provide any diagnostic of their choice using Fletchbus technology. The simplest package is the standard GOAD, which employs sensors on the boom and feed mechanisms to display hole angles and depth of drilling on an in-cab monitor. This ensures accurate boom and feed alignment for precise hole placement and direction when drilling the face.
The system can be used with burn patterns and v-cut patterns. In burn pattern processes, the drill round can be optimised or longer rounds drilled with precision drilling. In processes using v-cut patterns with variable hole depths, the system routinely calculates the proper depth for a flat blasted face, and withdraws the rock drill when the intended depth is achieved.
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ining has been revolutionised by automation, digitalisation and electrification – three key
The multi-plane assist system has all the same features, but also allows operators to automatically or manually position each drill feed to a specified coordinate; the auto depth control system ensures drilled holes are of equal depth. Likewise, the automated entry detection package offers all the features of the previous packages, along with automatic drill entry. The system can deduce the location of the machine by referencing surveying marks, enabling drill patterns to be oriented in such a way to maintain the entry along the predetermined direction as indicated by the mine plan.
issues, and plugged steels. It features advanced built-in diagnostics so that when a failure occurs, error messages are programmed to display specifics, thus reducing troubleshooting and downtime.
Real results
The overall result is an increase in accuracy; customers have seen a 30% improvement in the tonnage blasted. Additionally, they have experienced significant savings in fuel, blasting agents, drill steel and bits. The Fletchbus system can also improve safety in the mines through
“The overall result is an improvement in accuracy; customers have seen a 30% improvement in the tonnage blasted.”
What these GOAD systems have in common is the ability to collect data necessary to optimise drilling and blast cycles, and an automated workflow. The GOAD systems function and operate through the Fletchbus system, a smart hub for machine operations and data collection, and a means of communication between the operator and machine. A home screen display specific to the machine allows the operator to perform machine functions and view an active dashboard for machine statistics. The most widely used feature is the drilling screen, which graphically illustrates drilling performance. It automatically controls drilling, adjusting parameters for different strata and drilling conditions, including the ability to automatically adjust the drilling rate as necessary when drilling through contrasting layers. The Fletchbus system also helps prevent rotation stalls, void-related
the incorporation of a variety of interlocks into the system, which makes the state of functions mutually dependant and helps prevent the machine from harming the operator or itself.
A simple example is the boom swing interlock, which limits the machine from allowing the boom to swing without a stab jack in place to stabilise it.
The capabilities of individual Fletchbus and GOAD systems are determined by customer specifications, with each system unique to a particular drill jumbo. Furthermore, the system can be programmed in-house or on-site, and adding or updating features is flexible. The data collection abilities allow operations to be continuously monitored; as a result, customers have seen a noticeable improvement in safety, accuracy and productivity. ●
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