Jevons Robotics can now deliver explosives or stemming via its ARTEV6000 product using RCT’s remote control set either via line-of-sight or teleremote control, RCT reports.

Implementing this technology has eliminated the need for personnel to conduct quality assurance or load the blast holes manually, removing exposure hours associated with highwalls, cavities and fatigue. The company has been demonstrating this to interested parties via pilot unit at the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct in Western Australia.

RCT’s Custom Manager, David Wright, said this project was different to any job done before and, therefore, its specialised bespoke department was given the job.

“It is the first time we have remote controlled this type of vehicle carrying out this job scope,” he said. “We were able to use standard loader code, getting it on the machine and talking to the machine.”

The job, in its manual state is well-known as being high risk, which also makes the role difficult to not only recruit for but then retain the staff.

“The great thing about the Jevons platform is that it can be used for a variety of applications on a mine site to remove additional hazards and its flexibility is something that will bring great value to the industry, so we were so pleased to be able to work together on it,” Wright added.

Jevons Robotics CEO, Todd Peate, said that when Jevons was looking for a teleop and line-of-sight capability, it was immediately drawn to the established competency of RCT and its deep experience in mining.

“We wanted a solution that eased our customers mind on automating this process and we certainly have that with RCT,” he said.