• • • SAFETY IN ENGINEERING • • • Remote monitoring
CP systems in mining By David Celine, Managing Director of remote monitoring specialist Omniflex – Addressing safety and operational challenges in mining applications with remote monitoring technology
C
athodic protection (CP) systems are widely used in mining operations, protecting anything from conveyor systems to settling tanks and even large wharf structures from corrosion. However, because of the dangerous nature of the environment they’re based in, managing these systems isn’t without its challenges. For example, relying on in-person site visits and manual inspections to monitor system performance increases personnel time in potentially unsafe areas of the mine and adds health and safety risks. Here David Celine, Managing Director of remote monitoring specialist Omniflex, explains how these challenges can be addressed by implementing industry-certified remote monitoring systems. Mining operations are often rugged in nature and can be dangerous environments to work in with a mix of large steel and concrete structures, meaning that health and safety is a key consideration for operating companies and site managers. Furthermore, mines are often situated in extremely remote areas, meaning getting workers to and from mines can be time-consuming and expensive. This means that managing personnel visits is logistically challenging because of the considerations that must be balanced, accounting for both personnel safety, along with the time and money spent to allow on- site inspections.
CP systems are widely used throughout mining operations. CPs feature on mining equipment and on structures that are submerged at the site. The system protects a range of steel and concrete structures, including conveyor systems, settling tanks and large wharf structures, from the ongoing threat of corrosion. Traditionally, mine operators have relied on in-person site visits by external CP consultants, who inspect CP systems manually, to know if their systems are performing as intended and arrange any maintenance required. However, this approach is problematic for three key reasons. First, manual inspections mean more personnel time is spent in risky areas of the mine and adds to ongoing safety concerns for operators. Second, it means operators only get infrequent snapshots of system performance as and when inspections are conducted and delays identifying any faults that arise between inspections. Third, paying expensive consultants to visits mining sites in person, often for days at a time because of the remote environments they are situated in, means mining operators typically spend thousands of dollars a year on manual CP system inspections.
16 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk The impact of
remote monitoring Remote monitoring addresses all these challenges. First and foremost, it reduces the frequency and time spent in harsh environments and dangerous areas by consultants as they can access system performance data remotely, which ultimately improves the safety of personnel. By reducing on- site inspections, this significantly reduces the chances of any accidents or injury. In addition, remote monitoring is operational 24/7, giving mine operators more insight into ongoing system performance compared with periodic manual inspections conducted during site visits. This provides sites with a clearer picture of events compared to the snapshots of a manual inspection taking place at regular intervals, irrespective of their frequency. Finally, remote monitoring is proven to save operators significant costs as it dramatically reduces the need for in- person site visits by expensive consultants to inspect system performance.
Another benefit of implementing remote monitoring technology in mining environments is that it helps operators conduct effective CO2 reporting, something that is becoming an increasingly important requirement because of the
industry’s high-power consumption. 24/7 remote monitoring increases an organisation’s ability to monitor and report on energy usage and, because of the enhanced data auditing ability it enables, improves a site manager’s ability to identify underlying causes of any on-site performance or safety issues that may occur.
Omniflex’s remote monitoring technology has been approved for use in BHP coal mines as well as across large Australian-based enterprises, like the Port of Melbourne, as it is robust enough to work reliably in potentially unsafe environments and complies with stringent cyber security demands. This means that mine operators can trust that the systems are up to the job as they have already proven themselves in the field. With experience of providing remote monitoring technologies for harsh environments including maritime, nuclear and mining, Omniflex has provided solutions to guard against corrosion of large structures in multiple industries. To find out more about how Omniflex can help solve the mining industry’s operational and health and safety challenges by implementing effective remote monitoring systems, visit
https://www.omniflex.com/solutions_web_based_m
onitoring.php.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
