ABB’s Minerals/Underground Mining business unit and Atlas Copco Underground Rock Excavation have developed an innovative mobile integration system between ABB’s process control System 800xA and Atlas Copco mining machines. The solution is currently installed at the Atlas Copco test mine in Kvarntorp, Sweden. ABB says “it will offer future mine operators unrivalled process control opportunity and information.” It will provide machine tracking for greater mining efficiency. 

Today, sensors and automated data processing systems provide mine operators with essential information on-line for each product and process control. Future mining will require a high degree of integration in product and process optimization, maintenance planning, environmental control, etc. from one single control center in order to get the best overall performance from mining machines underground, as well as increase productivity and lower energy consumption.

This project integrates important data from Atlas Copco underground drill rigs, loaders and trucks into ABB’s process control System 800xA for better visualisation and utilisation of the machine fleet. By tracking locations of machines, their status and actual operating environments underground, this solution will provide the information needed to help mine operators make right decisions at the right time to keep production running as smoothly as possible.

In line with customer requirements and future mining demands, Atlas Copco and ABB will continue to develop and add more functionality to this concept.

“I am excited about this cooperation with Atlas Copco,” said Andre Inserra, Head of ABB’s Mining and Mineral Processing business unit. “As each company would focus on its core competencies, the joint development would create a lot of added value for the mining operation in underground mines.”

“Our future mine operators want a compelling, all-in-one information center to optimise the utilisation of our machines underground. I am sure this project will take a big leap forward in optimisation of underground mining,” said David Shellhammer, President at Atlas Copco Underground Rock Excavation.

Atlas Copco Underground Rock Excavation is a division within Atlas Copco’s Mining and Rock Excavation Technique business area. It develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of mining equipment for various underground applications worldwide.