Operations Intelligence is “the next big opportunity in making mining operations more efficient”, according to information presented at a recent workshop held September 17 and 18 at Cambrian College, Sudbury and sponsored by Schneider Electric. “Data that is effective at the operations level about the performance of the mine helps guide operational decisions” according to Schneider. However, the company says, in many cases it is hard to relate that operational information to the overall enterprise systems that help the company meet its overall goals. Schneider brought together a group of presenters who were able to help participants get an idea of the current possibilities in closing the information gap between operational information systems and those at the enterprise level. A total of 50 students from a wide range of companies attended the sessions.

“Students in the workshops seemed to appreciate receiving current information on how they can support efficiency and Operational Intelligence in mining operations,” says Keith Donovan, Schneider Electric’s Director, Business Development – Optimisation Solutions. “It’s part of how Schneider Electric helps mining companies to utilise critical operational information in a more effective way.” Presentations covered topics including:

– Integrated Operations, by Keith Donovan of Schneider Electric, about how to integrate Operational Systems with IT systems (i.e. ERP), to allow for integrated planning and scheduling, capacity planning, blending optimisation and by providing access to real-time operations information (Downtime/Production Analytics/Energy Management/Metal Accounting/Inventory)
– Maintenance and asset management subsystems, by Juan Callados of Invensys, about how data from fixed and mobile assets can be captured to support condition based maintenance
– Process automation subsystems, by Dan Dumais of Bestech, demonstrating an application of some of Schneider Electric’s process automation systems for underground operations, and how this data can support real-time reporting in Operations Intelligence
– Energy management subsystems, by Eric Langford of Langford & Associates, on how combining data from the Energy Management System with process data supports real-time reporting and alarming
– Power management subsystems, by Guillermo Arbelaez of Schneider Electric, on current developments in substation automation to help provide efficient and reliable power throughout mining operations
– Security and surveillance subsystems, by Clark Northcott of PELCO, on how integrating security and surveillance analytics with that from process automation subsystems, giving operators a better understanding of what is occurring in the process, to improve safety and help protect assets.