All posts by Paul Moore

PAUS signs MoU with ELQUIP to evaluate and set up an Australian dealership

Bulk handling, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mine shafts and equipment, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Sustainable mining

Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH (PAUS) and ELQUIP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to mutually evaluate and prepare a dealership for the Australian market and serve customers with specialised PAUS mobile equipment for the mining & tunnelling market as well as with services and parts.

PAUS’s globally supplied underground mining service and utility product range is probably the most diverse and extensive in the industry. It includes material handling trucks, tank trucks, crane trucks, loaders (LHDs), underground dump trucks, all purpose vehicles, rock breakers, water cannons, personnel transports, roadheaders, fuel and lube trucks, mobile workshops, tyre handlers, concrete sprayers/mixers, explosives chargers/transporters, graders, working platforms, firefighting vehicles, multi-cassette trucks, mine rescue vehicles, flameproof vehicles and more.

ELQUIP brings to market the combined capabilities and experience of 40 years in the OEM space, specialising in innovative equipment design and manufacture of high-quality products and services for the Australian mining and construction industries. The statement said: “Collaboratively working with clients to develop equipment and technologies which create improvements and benefits in safety and efficiencies at the workplace. In a time of globalisation and standardisation, not every job or jobsite can use a standard product or service, often something special or unique is required and over time ELQUIP realises there are smarter ways to achieve a better outcome.”

PAUS says it is always close and constant contact with customers to understand their needs and always to deliver a solution that best suits their individual applications. All of its mining and tunnelling machines are ‘Made for Mining’ and characterised by having high quality. made in Germany. The company continues: “All PAUS vehicles and machines for mining & tunnelling are explicitly designed and built for the challenging operating conditions underground. The wide portfolio, the variety of options, and the customised features available along with the machines will provide the basis for almost every task – it doesn’t matter how individual the solution needs to be.”

Besides the continuous improvement of the products and enhancement of the available technologies, PAUS adds that it also offers forward-looking solutions like battery electric vehicles (BEV), IoT interfaces, remote and teleoperation, new safety features, and many more.

Strata Worldwide announces equity partnership & global distribution agreement with Vernetzen

Communications in mining, IoT, Mine shafts and equipment, Mining safety, Mining services

Strata Worldwide, the provider of advanced safety and underground networking technologies, has signed an equity partnership agreement and global distribution agreement with Australia-based Vernetzen. Through these agreements, Strata says it will provide its global customer base with an expanded range of networking solutions and innovative cybersecurity tools that are specifically designed for underground mining and tunnelling.

Included in these new offerings are Vernetzen’s state-of-the-art Software Defined Network (SDN) technology, a “game-changer” in network automation for industrial environments. Strata said: “This advanced technology streamlines cybersecurity, network provisioning, failure detection, traffic monitoring, data prioritisation and more. By automating these critical processes, Vernetzen’s SDN technology not only saves valuable time and resources, but also significantly reduces the risk of human error and cyber-events from occurring. The result is a seamlessly managed network with enhanced security, providing operators with complete oversight and control over the industrial network.”

In addition, Strata will introduce Vernetzen’s Wi-Fi over Coax (WoC) solution, adding: “This cutting-edge wireless network stands apart by delivering long-distance, linear Wi-Fi coverage along a radiating coaxial cable, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and eliminating those troublesome dead zones. Say goodbye to the limitations of traditional Access Point (AP) Wi-Fi systems that demand multiple APs to cover the same area of a single WoC. This presents a fresh perspective on industrial networks, particularly tailored for tele-remoting and vehicle automation in challenging underground environments.”

“We are thrilled about our partnership with Strata Worldwide,” states Luke King, Managing Director at Vernetzen. “Strata’s extensive market presence and expertise align perfectly with our vision, and we are confident that together, we can deliver unparalleled value to our customers. This collaboration represents a strategic step forward in expanding our footprint and providing secure and robust industrial network solutions.”

“Vernetzen provides Strata and our customers a high-end network and Wi-Fi solution that is fit for purpose and designed specifically for our target underground markets,” explains Tony Napier, COO and Managing Director, APAC. “Vernetzen completes Strata’s overall network and data solutions suite. In addition, it now enables us to meet a broad range of customer requirements from a simple Wi-Fi deployment through to a state-of-the-art network and high-speed, secure, seamless Wi-Fi coverage that supports mobile automation. Strata is very pleased to bring this latest technology to our global markets.”

Allison Transmission forms strategic partnership with SANY for mining vehicles

Bulk handling, Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance

Allison Transmission has announced a strategic partnership agreement with China’s SANY, the global heavy equipment manufacturer for the mining and construction markets. Allison will supply its family of Off Road Series™ (ORS) and Wide Body Dump Series™ (WBD) transmissions for integration into their lineup of mining vehicles including the next-generation SANY SKT105 wide body mining dump (WBMD) truck, rigid dump trucks and articulated dump trucks (ADT).

As part of this agreement, Allison will be the fully automatic transmission provider for generation two of SANY’s WBMD vehicles. Allison is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for the mining industry.

“We selected Allison’s ORS and WBD transmissions due to their unique ability to deliver powerful performance, faster acceleration and increased ease of operation over competitive models,” said Lu Shiwei, Heavy Commercial Director, SANY. “We look forward to the enhanced productivity and manoeuverability that Allison’s propulsion solutions will provide to our customers operating in severe duty-cycles and harsh mining conditions.”

“We’re proud to partner with SANY to integrate Allison transmissions into several of their vehicles, which are critical for successful mining operations,” said John Coll, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Allison Transmission. “Our agreement with SANY strategically aligns with Allison’s efforts to capture additional market share in the mining dump truck market in Africa, Asia and South America.”

Fortescue gets state funding from Michigan for new battery & electrolyser facility in Detroit

Equipment maintenance, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Power supply for mines

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has approved support and incentives for Fortescue, the global green energy, metals, and technology company, to establish a US Advanced Manufacturing Center in Detroit, Michigan.

As Fortescue first announced in front of world leaders at APEC last year, the Piquette Avenue facility will become a major hub for Fortescue’s production of automotive and heavy industry batteries, fast chargers, and electrolysers. Fortescue plans to rehabilitate the existing facility in Detroit and prepare it for a future manufacturing and engineering workspace. Production is expected to commence in 2025 and the site has the potential to create up to 600 jobs as product lines ramp up to 2030.

Fortescue Energy CEO, Mark Hutchinson, said: “Fortescue’s Advanced Manufacturing Center will breathe fresh life into the birthplace of the automotive industry. We are committed to investing in the next generation of green manufacturing projects that will help decarbonise business and heavy industry, and in turn create a strong future for manufacturing jobs in the United States.”

Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, said: “By choosing Michigan for its first US Advanced Manufacturing Center, Fortescue will create up to 600 jobs and build on our economic momentum. Report after report shows that Michigan is leading the future of advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Fortescue’s expansion in Michigan and so many of the other investments we are competing for and winning are helping us make communities across our state better places to live, work, and invest. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator and keep delivering on the issues that make a real difference in people’s lives so anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan.

To support the project, the Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $9 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant; a 15-year, 100% State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at $1,300,950; and state tax capture valued at $2,374,413 for the reimbursement of brownfield activities at the site. The City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is supporting the project through the local portion of the brownfield work plan valued at $4,246,411, and the city has offered an Industrial Facilities Tax abatement valued at up to $7,684,208.

Fortescue WAE CEO, Judith Judson, said: “Detroit is an extremely attractive place to manufacture, given the skilled workforce, existing EV and green energy supply chains, and strong support from state and local governments. Fortescue is committed to being a valued government and community partner wherever we operate and look forward to maximising the benefits alongside the local community in Detroit.”

Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, said: “Fortescue’s decision to locate in Detroit to develop its new Advanced Manufacturing Center adds to our city’s momentum in attracting sustainability and clean energy investments and the good-paying jobs they bring. It also is another major piece of the revitalization taking place on this stretch of Piquette Street, along with the redevelopment of the Fisher Body 21 and Studebaker plants into hundreds of units of new mixed-income housing. We are grateful to the Michigan Strategic Fund for its support of this project.”

The new Fortescue site was originally constructed in 1920 as Fisher Body 23 and has 410,000 sqft of space, over six floors on 14 acres. Fortescue through Fortescue WAE is a leader in the development and manufacture of batteries and zero emission powertrains for a wide range of applications, including motorsports, mining haul trucks, and other off-road and automotive applications, with production and manufacturing already based in the United Kingdom. Fortescue is also manufacturing electrolysers at a state-of-the-art facility in Queensland, Australia.

MEDC CEO and President and Chair of the MSF Quentin L Messer Jr said: “As a leader in green technology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, we are thrilled that Fortescue has chosen Michigan as the site of its new US Advanced Manufacturing Center. After a competitive process, Fortescue’s decision is another proof point that ‘Make It In Michigan,’ focused on People, Places and Projects, is delivering results. We are proud that the City of Detroit will be home to cleantech innovation in the electrification of mobility and the development of a greener future for our nation and the globe.”

Develon to highlight autonomous & cabless quarrying equipment at Intermat 2024

Automation, Industrial minerals, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services

At Intermat 2024 from April 24-27, Develon, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, says it will show why innovation is at the heartbeat of the company, with an industry-leading display of new state-of-the-art machine and digital technologies being seen for the first time at the show. This includes the first demonstration of Develon’s Concept-X 2.0 cabless construction and quarrying equipment solution in Europe.

Innovation is one of the four pillars behind the design of the Develon stand alongside the themes of Carbon Reduction, Going Green and Compact with the main focus centred around new innovative machines and technologies that support carbon reduction and wider sustainability.

Develon unveiled Concept-X in 2019 as the world’s first automated construction solution. At a demonstration of Concept-X in Korea in the same year, attendees witnessed autonomous construction equipment performing everyday jobsite tasks. At Intermat, Develon will present the latest developments in the technology-based solution in an updated version called Concept-X 2.0.  

The Concept-X 2.0 autonomous construction equipment involved in these developments include the DD100-CX dozer and DX225-CX crawler excavator. Both machines feature a new cabinless design and a linear core design language. Live demonstrations of this construction equipment will take place throughout the Intermat show.

Among the new updates being demonstrated are autonomous driving and blade control based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS); automated 3D grading with tiltrotator accessory; enhanced machine-learning-based auto digging and loading; integrated work planning algorithm applied; and advanced E-Stop safety technology  

Another key area of innovation being premiered at Intermat is contained in the Future Energies Area of the Develon stand. It includes the DX20ZE mini-excavator, the first mass-produced electric-powered excavator manufactured by Develon. This 2 t excavator combines low-noise and zero emissions with the features and performance enhancements that are found on the next-generation DX-7 Series family of mini-excavators.   

Alongside the DX20ZE at Intermat will be the 14W-EREV electric concept vehicle, the most advanced, state-of-the-art machine of its kind. This electric wheel excavator is designed with a regenerating drive system (eDrive), advanced swing system (eSwing), and eWorking systems to ensure maximum efficiency with zero emissions. 

 Completing the Future Energies Area of the display will be the DL250–FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) which has a versatile, single platform design that allows it to be equipped with a fuel cell powerpack running on hydrogen, but offers the ability to transition to a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) by installing a battery pack. Develon will also be showing a number of reduced emission solutions based on fuel saving technologies and the use of bio-fuels such as HVO and GTL. 

Innovation at Develon also covers digital technologies being displayed on screens and monitors in the main building on the stand such as the Develon Smart Quarry, Develon DXP digital platform and Develon Fleet Management systems.  

The Smart Quarry Solution addresses various customer needs by reducing machine downtime, improving the efficiency of load work management and by preventing unexpected accidents. It does this by providing services that support the shipment, production, safety and fleet management of quarry sites using Smart Construction Equipment (CE) features. 

The Develon Smart Quarry Solution comprises three categories: Fleet Management, Shipping/Production and Safety, with Smart CE Technologies incorporated into each category to meet customer’s needs. An overview of the components/processes that could typically be combined in the Smart Quarry Solution include an unmanned Access Control System; truck driver’s mobile App; wheel loader operator’s mobile App; field manager’s mobile App; integrated control centre; excavator operator’s mobile App; and drone scanning.

Develon will also be promoting the latest version of the company’s Develon Fleet Management state-of-art wireless fleet monitoring system, specifically designed for the Develon range. Providing comprehensive information about machine performance in a dual mode (satellite, Mobile network), it says this telematics system offers a web-based fleet and asset management solution which is very useful for managing the performance and security of machines and promoting preventative maintenance.   

China’s JCHX continues to grow its owned copper mining business with planned Lubambe buy

Base metals, Mine operation news, Mining mergers and acquisitions

China’s JCHX is best known as a global mining contractor and services provider to operations like Kamoa-Kakula and Konkola but is rapidly increasingly its influence in Africa as a copper mine in its own right. It already has two mines in its own portfolio – Lonshi in DRC, previously owned by ERG; and Dikulushi, also in DRC, which it acquired from a subsidiary of Trafigura. Now it has moved to acquire Lubambe in Zambia from EMR Capital Resources.

JCHX is establishing a new overseas wholly-owned subsidiary to acquire 80% of the equity of Lubambe Copper Mine Ltd (LCML) for US$1. It will also absorb a lot of debt – acquiring approximately US$857 million in loans provided by Lubambe Copper Holdings Ltd to LCML for US$1. If this transaction is successfully completed, the company will own 80% of the Lubambe copper mine with the Zambian Government retaining its 20% stake.

JCHX stated: “This move not only marks another solid step for JCHX in the field of mining resource development, but also fully demonstrates the company’s growing international influence in the global mining market.” JCHX had only just secured last year a new US$116 million contract to operate Lubambe copper mine in Zambia

LCML’s core asset is the Lubambe copper mine in Zambia. The Lubambe copper mine is located in the Chililabombwe region of the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and has significant strategic and resource value. As of September 30, 2023, the Lubambe copper mine resources (proven + controlled + inferred) were 86.6 Mt, with a copper grade of 1.95%, and acid-soluble copper 0.35%.

JCHX stated: “JCHX’s potential acquisition of the Lubambe copper mine not only demonstrates the company’s comprehensive strength in the field of international mining resource integration and development, but also highlights its important position in the international mining market. Since its establishment, JCHX has been committed to becoming an internationally renowned and domestically leading planner, builder and operator of safe mines, ecological mines and smart mines. The acquisition of the Lubambe copper mine is an important measure for JCHX to deepen international mining cooperation. It has laid a solid foundation for the company’s international development. At the same time, it is also a concrete manifestation of Chinese mining companies’ active participation in the development of the copper mining industry in Zambia and even the world.”

Through this acquisition, JCHX says it will use its professional technology and experience in the fields of mining engineering construction and operation management to continuously improve the development efficiency and output capacity of the Lubambe copper mine.  It “firmly believes that by improving technology and optimising resource allocation, it can work with other partners to promote the success of the Lubambe copper mine project. While ensuring the sustainable development of mineral resources, it will also bring more opportunities and economic growth to the local community.”

 

 

FLSmidth Cement sells MAAG gears business to Swedish investment group Solix

Comminution of minerals, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mineral processing, Mining consumables, Mining maintenance

In another major development in the large geared drives market in mining, on 22 January 2024, FLSmidth through FLSmidth Cement, sold its MAAG gears and drives business to the Swedish investment company, Solix Group AB. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2024 and includes all related assets, including intellectual property, technology, employees and customer contracts.

The divestment of the MAAG business FLSmidth said is in line with FLSmidth Cement’s GREEN’26 strategy, which in combination with a greater strategic focus on the service business includes focusing the product portfolio on the core technologies required for the green transition in the cement industry.

While the cement industry application area was highlighted, the MAAG product range includes a wide range of industrial gear solutions for all types of mills and kilns, gear solutions for bucket-wheel excavators and belt conveyors as well as many other heavy-duty applications used in mining and other industries in addition to cement. FLSmidth said that the business has an average annual turnover of around DKK400-500 million.

Since introducing the technology of planetary gear units to the cement industry with great success in 1966, MAAG has sold over 6,000 gear units and 1,000 girth gears. MAAG also manufactures components such as bevel sets and girth gears up to 11.2 m diameter, and various spare parts. Its production sites are located in Italy, Poland and India and feature the latest in machinery, including hobbing, grinding, shaping and milling cutter machines for spur, helical and bevel gears, large assembly space and a test bench. State-of-the-art measuring devices complete its production systems. In its high-tech heat treatment department, MAAG nitrides and quenches the toothing of its geared components for heavy-duty purposes.

“The divestment is fully aligned with our ongoing transformation efforts and supports our GREEN’26 strategy. I would like to extent my gratitude to the dedicated employees in the MAAG business for their unwavering commitment to supplying high-quality solutions and services. I wish all the MAAG employees and Solix the very best going forward,” said Christopher Ashworth, President of FLSmidth Cement.

FLSmidth said it expects to realise a small net gain from the divestment of the MAAG business which will be recognised in the first quarter of 2024.

China’s Zoomlion moves up into larger mining trucks with all-domestic 120 ton ZTE210

Bulk handling, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Sustainable mining

On January 21, a 120-ton class all-domestic Chinese electric drive mining truck ZTE210 independently developed by Zoomlion rolled off the production line in Changsha. The OEM says it is the first all-domestic electric drive truck of the this size to be launched in China. It added that the successful rollout of ZTE210 is a historic breakthrough for Chinese mining equipment, but also marks Zoomlion’s mining machinery’s official entry into the high-end mining equipment market.

The ZTE210 it says integrates the state-of-the-art technological achievements and breaks through many core technologies. It has a dead weight of about 90 tons and a rated load of 120 tons. It is equipped with a Chinese-made 39.2-litre common rail diesel engine and a Chinese-made AC variable frequency traction system, which can provide higher power for optimal transportation. performance. The total power exceeds products of the same level by 8%, the heavy load climbing speed is fast, and the transportation efficiency is improved by more than 10%.

ZTE210 adopts a box-section welded frame, hydro-pneumatic suspension and high-strength body. “It has a strong and durable structure, good impact resistance and optimal loading efficiency, and is suitable for various materials. The vehicle performance, lifespan and reliability have reached the international advanced level,” said the statement.

Meng Qingyong, General Manager of the Mining Machinery Division of Zoomlion, said that the rollout of ZTE210 is just the starting point, and the product line of electric drive dump trucks will be continuously improved in the future. Zoomlion says its Mining Machinery Division “is based on existing mining machinery technology, pursues innovation, and is committed to developing more reliable, efficient, and intelligent mining machinery and equipment.”

TAKRAF builds on West Africa success with new crushing, screening & conveying system for SNIM

Bulk handling, Environmental, Equipment maintenance, Mineral commodities, Mineral processing, Mineral project development, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Steel and iron ore, Sustainable mining

TAKRAF Group has announced the signing of a major contract with Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM) for the supply of a complete iron ore crushing, screening, and material handling system, along with a train loading station for the F’Derick project in Mauritania.

It is TAKRAF’s second major contract award in West Africa recently following the signing of a contract with Rio Tinto in November 2023 for an integrated in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) service for the Simandou iron ore complex.

The F’Derick iron ore deposit, known for its natural richness in haematite, is part of SNIM’s iron ore complex in Mauritania. With current production of approximately 12 Mt/y, SNIM aims to increase this to 18 Mt/y through the development of the F’Derick project, thereby contributing to the country’s iron ore production.

The contract, signed at the end of 2023, marks a key milestone as SNIM begins development work on site. An inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mauritanian President of State Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.

Highlights of TAKRAF’s scope of supply include for Lot 1 a primary crushing plant; apron feeder; belt conveyor CV-1; secondary crushing plant with pre-screening; belt conveyor CV-2 and transfer tower TT-1 and required auxiliary systems and accessories. Lot 2 includes belt conveyor CV-5; a train loading (loadout) station plus wequired auxiliary systems and accessories. TAKRAF designed the system in order to feed the train load-out station with an average loading rate of 100 wagons per hour. Delivery of the equipment to the port of Nouadhibou is expected to be completed within approximately two years.

Commenting on the award, Thomas Jabs, CEO of TAKRAF Group, said: “This project is of paramount importance to the country of Mauritania and is a testament to the excellent cooperation and expertise of SNIM and the TAKRAF Group. Our teams from Europe, South Africa, North America and Asia will work seamlessly to leverage their skills and knowledge. We would like to thank SNIM for their trust in our capabilities, the State of Mauritania for their support and all the planning and design teams involved. This award underlines our global strength in delivering complex bulk handling systems.”

Norbert Neumann, TAKRAF Group Sales Manager responsible for securing the project, adds: “The F’Derick project deepens our longstanding partnership with SNIM, which began over a decade ago and further strengthens TAKRAF’s commitment to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the region. SNIM remains an important client for TAKRAF, and we expect many more success stories to come. Our collaboration, dating back to the early 2000s, demonstrates our reliability, successful project implementations, and service-oriented approach. We would like to thank SNIM for their continued trust and constructive collaboration.”

Builder X – the brains behind China’s remote control mining shovel revolution

Automation, Base metals, Coal technology, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining people, Mining services, Mining software, Steel and iron ore

It is well known that the remote operation of large mining shovels is something that the major miners want – it is a natural progression as part of taking operators out of hazardous in-pit working locations and conditions, plus in mines that already have autonomous trucks as well as autonomous drills, the shovel and excavator operators are the only primary fleet operators left in the field, not including of course maintenance crews plus the ancillary fleet.

IM has reported widely on this topic, including progress being made by Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr and Hitachi on commercial OEM-led teleremote shovel offerings as well as some real world examples from third party technologies companies like RCT (now part of Epiroc) and HLS Hard-Line (now part of Hexagon).

Over in China, a number of hydraulic excavators and large electric rope shovels have already been converted to teleoperation; many of them using technology and systems supplied by Builder [X] Robotics aka Builder X, a Beijing-based company led by Shaolong Sui, Founder and CEO. The mines concerned tend to be some of the largest in the country and those most focused on intelligent and smart operations; plus they tend to also be running or testing autonomous mining trucks as well.

Remotely controlled TYHI WK-35 shovel loading autonomous NTE240BAT truck at Julong copper mine

Looking at 2023 alone, a good example is from CHN Energy’s Heidaigou coal mine in the Zhungeer Coalfield. On March 2, 2023, the mine and its auxilliary coal preparation plant passed the acceptance inspection for China’s first group of intelligent demonstration coal mines. As part of that it has built a 5G network that covers the office area and the unmanned operation area in the pit, plus established a 140G optical transmission network system that realises high-speed communication with video surveillance devices.

Builder X converted a XCMG 700 t class XE7000 hydraulic backhoe excavator – to use its Tele+AI Operation System. The system provided also incorporates intelligent features such as pedestrian detection, bucket teeth detection, and posture monitoring, effectively mitigating the impact of harsh environmental conditions on operations. Following training involving 97 trucks, operators swiftly adapted to the remote operating mode, with loading efficiency approaching on-site loading efficiency at approximately 220 seconds per truck. Heidaigou operates autonomous trucks including retrofitted Komatsu 930Es using WAYTOUS technology.

Also in 2023, at a high altitude copper mine at 5,600 m with temperatures as low as -40°C, Builder X converted a large TYHI TZ WK-35C mining shovel for teleremote operation. The operation has not been named by Builder X for confidentiality reasons – but from the shovel and altitude concerned can be identified as Zijin Mining’s Julong mine – plus an image supplied shows the shovel remotely loading an autonomous NHL NTE240BAT electric drive truck; Julong began autonomous truck fleet planning and installation with TAGE Idriver back in 2021.

The tech takes operators away from a snowy or often dusty environment where the altitude also requires operators to have to use supplementary oxygen at times. Again using a 5G network, the Builder X system offers auto-loading but also AI including pedestrian detection, anti-collision warning, and high-pressure flameout/shutdown. Builder X says it has improved work efficiency, with operators completing a full truck load within 4 minutes. Plus it has ensured  operator safety and significantly enhanced job satisfaction as well as mitigated the challenge of labour recruitment difficulties at the mine.

Moving back to coal, and SPIC’s Huolinhe coal mine in Inner Mongolia ranks among the five largest open-pit coal mines in China and experiences long, extremely cold winters with temperatures dropping to -40°C. It also faces hot summers with frequent rainfall, often accompanied by strong winds and dust storms. In 2022, Builder X installed a teleremote system on a TYHI WK-12 rope shovel, again running on 5G and featuring pedestrian detection, auto-loading, and remote flameout/shutdown.

The system was swiftly put into operation, showcasing impressive loading efficiency of one truck every 4-5 minutes initially. Over time, this efficiency averaged at 3 minutes per truck, even during night operations, becoming the standard in the mine’s routine operations. In 2022, CCTV10 featured a report on the remote intelligent control electric shovel at Huolinhe. In 2023, due to the positive operational and societal impact, the mine made a repeat purchase, upgrading to the Tele+AI Operation System on another WK-12C electric shovel. Huolinhe is well known as an innovative operation, using XEMC and NHL autonomous trucks as well as having pioneered the use of an all battery rigid mining truck in China, a converted XEMC SF31904 AC.

A similar system was installed for another top five coal mines in China in Inner Mongolia – conversion of TZ WK-12 shovels at CHN Energy (Yanbao Energy)’s Yuanbaoshan coal mine; with additional pedestrian detection, real-time monitoring and six-screen splicing. The mine also operates autonomous trucks and has established a dedicated dispatch command centre.

Given the challenging geological conditions of loose soil and potential groundwater seepage at Yuanbaoshan, vehicles commuting to the site leave deep ruts on the ground, reducing travel efficiency. The adoption of remote intelligent control for shovels eliminates the need for operators to commute to the site, requiring only periodic on-site maintenance by repair personnel. This extension of operational duration in the mining area ensures that the efficiency and output of electric shovels are no longer impacted by traffic issues.

Xilinhe coal mine embarked on a technological transformation in 2022, with a focus on automation, integration, intelligence, and unmanned operations. It now utilises Builder X’s Tele+AI Operation System, incorporating intelligent features such as pedestrian recognition and one-click reset on four electric shovels. This involves the use of technologies like laser radar, line control upgrades, and ultra-lowlatency systems.

Other coal mines having shovels converted for teleoperation by Builder X include Tianchi Energy’s South coal mine. In early 2022, in parallel with the deployment of a large fleet of autonomous mining trucks by Eacon Mining, a collaboration between Eacon and Builder X, saw a Caterpillar 349 backhoe hydraulic excavator converted to remote operation. Selected AI functions include a bucket depth indicator, bucket teeth detection, pedestrian detection and large block recognition.

Moving to iron ore and in 2021, Baotao Steel’s Baiyun iron mine (also called Bayan Obo) began implementing an intelligent remote control transformation, utilising the Builder X Tele+AI operation system to retrofit equipment such as TZ WK-10 electric shovels and XCMG XE3000 excavators. This enables remote control operations for various types of equipment, ensuring on-site operational safety. Additionally, the application of intelligent AI functions such as posture monitoring, anti-collision warnings, and data monitoring enhances operational efficiency. By 2023, the mining area has completed the construction of a smart control centre building and has repeatedly purchased the Tele+AI operation system, upgrading various equipment like WK-20 and WK-4C shovels, PLK4500 dozers and KY-310 drilling rigs. Bayan Obo also has a well established autonomous truck fleet – NHL NTE brand electric drive trucks using TAGE Idriver’s system.

Finally, since the beginning of 2020, Builder X has now collaborated with Japanese partners for nearly three years, continuously upgrading and iterating its products to enhance installation convenience, interface user-friendliness, and the practicality of AI-assisted features. These efforts have significantly strengthened the competitiveness of Builder X’s Tele+AI Operation System in the Japanese market.

In April 2023, representatives from Sumitomo Corporation and Obayashi Corporation visited Builder X’s office, and signed a trilateral strategic cooperation agreement, jointly promoting the application of the Tele+AI Operation System in Japan. This event marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the three companies. Starting from July 2023, the Japanese partners initiated Proof of Concept (POC) assessments for different brands of excavators, including Caterpillar, Komatsu, Sumitomo, and Hitachi, in various scenarios such as mining, ports, and factories.