Tag Archives: analytics

METS Ignited to fund four collaborative mining technology projects

In line with the Federal Government’s recently published Modern Manufacturing Strategy, METS Ignited has announced the latest award of projects as a part of its Industry Growth Centre collaborative project funds.

It has announced the award of METS Ignited Tranche 4 Collaborative Project Funds, with the combined investment of over A$6 million ($4.3 million) from METS Ignited and industry partners going to AMOG Pty Limited, Gekko Systems, Polymathian, and Universal Field Robotics.

The fourth round of the funds focused on the application of analytics, automation and robotics in the mining industry. The selected projects have originated in the local market, are industry-led, and are projected to deliver a high degree of global impact potential and substantial benefits to the METS sector, according to the group.

The success of these four projects with over 17 industry partners in total is projected to deliver almost two hundred new roles, and generate a combined revenue contribution of over A$100 million for the sector, it said.

“METS Ignited’s role as an Industry Growth Centre is to lead collaboration between Australian mining equipment technology and service (METS) companies, global suppliers, mine operators, research organisations and capital providers to support the improved productivity, competitiveness and innovative capacity of the Australia’s world-leading METS sector,” METS Ignited said.

METS Ignited Chief Executive, Adrian Beer, says the quality and capability of the funding applicants is becoming increasingly more sophisticated, with a number of the solutions having broader applicability across a number of sectors.

“This round of project fund recipients demonstrates just how capable our leading global METS sector is, and what is possible within our local technology sector,” Beer said. “We are extremely proud of what has been achieved by the project fund recipients to date, and this new addition to the project funding shows that we have a huge potential to build upon.”

(pictured is Polymathian’s ORB mining optimisation software)

METS Ignited backing analytics, automation and robotics technology developments

METS Ignited, an industry-led, Australia government-funded, growth centre for the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector, is making A$4 million ($2.8 million) available to companies focused on the application of analytics, automation and robotics in mining operations.

The investment is part of the fourth round of METS Ignited Collaborative Project Funds for METS solutions able to help demonstrate the productivity, competitiveness and innovative capacity of the sector in Australia.

METS Ignited Acting CEO, Ian Dover, said: “Australian METS companies have a long history of supplying reliable and innovative solutions to the mining sector. This round of funding is focused on accelerating the adoption of analytics, automation and robotics into Australian METS and mining with the objective of making a significant contribution to the economy and creating more jobs in our domestic mining supply chains.

“The time is now, for Australia to get ahead of the curve and make the most of our home-grown advantage.”

Round four of the Project Funds invites METS companies to collaborate with a minimum of two other METS companies and an end user, to deliver projects with real commercialisation potential, METS Ignited said.

Matrix Design Group launches new group to crunch mine site data

Matrix Design Group is opening a new division, Matrix Analytics Group, to offer industry expert perspectives into mining operations “based on data and numerical modelling that helps drive meaningful enhancements to the decision-making process”, it says.

The division will be part of Matrix’s South African entity in Johannesburg, operating in both the US and Africa.

The company said: “Matrix Analytics is able to facilitate discussion aligned to the strategic goals of its clients by combining decades of mining industry expertise with modern data analytic techniques. Utilising a model-based approach allows Matrix Analytics to provide diverse insights into business and operations.”

David Clardy, President of Matrix Design Group – which already calls itself a leading provider of technology for mining safety and productivity – said: “In today’s competitive mining environment, efficiency is key. Matrix Analytics complements our mission to help mines operate more safely and productively through the most effective use of resources.”

Matrix Analytics uses a mine’s data to find key correlations and insights and presents the information in a way that it can be used to facilitate decision making.

Stephen Redford, Director of Matrix Analytics Group, said: “A mine’s data is an often-underutilised trove of information that can dramatically improve operations. We want to provide a means for mines to tap it for key, and sometimes critical, insights.”

Analytics, data and security on the Austmine 2019 agenda

Austmine 2019 is set to delve into the future of analytics, data and security, key themes that are setting the agenda for the next horizon in the mining industry, according to event organisers.

Running from May 21-23 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Austmine 2019 will, organisers say, feature thought leaders from around the world, who will present their insights into the latest developments in digital efficiencies and live analytics systems, as well as how big data is leading to change across the industry.

“The topic of digital change is one which encompasses the entire value chain, with the optimised use of data leading to production efficiencies, while also having favourable human and environmental outcomes,” the organisers said.

For Austmine 2019, presenters will cover a broad range of perspectives, from mining companies, METS, academia and government.

One of the keynote speakers is Michelle Ash, Chair, Global Mining Guidelines (GMG) Group, who will examine the question: “Disruption is here: how will we harness it?”

Ash said: “I am really excited to be speaking at the Austmine 2019 conference and sharing with delegates how digital technologies are impacting mining around the world.

“There are some amazing advancements in other industries that are also applicable and exciting, but as always, the technology is only part of the challenge implementing them into our organisations, and driving the value and impacts of safety, the environment and productivity is key to the success.

“Delegates will also hear about some of the keys to ensuring that implementation of technology is successful, and how we can increase our rate of change as an industry.”

Other speakers slated to present include Rob Cunningham, Mining Operations Manager at CMOC Northparkes Mines, who will explain how the company is driving an Improvement Innovation Culture at its operations, which embrace the latest block cave mining technologies.

Rob Labbé, Director, Information Security, Teck Resources, will delve into cyber security – enabling the digital mine through cyber risk management and collaboration – while John Vagenas, Managing Director, Metallurgical Systems, asks the question – “Blue pill or red pill? Digital case studies within mineral processing.”

During his presentation, Vagenas is set to explore why so many companies are hesitant when it comes to digital transformation.

“Essentially, digital transformation is about turning data into information so as to gain full transparency into a plant’s operations,” Vagenas said. “For many companies in our sector, it can be an uncomfortable notion. Transparency isn’t always immediately popular, as it threatens how much control some people have over what is and isn’t reported. But, in reality, it can deliver such an enormous and rapid benefit that it’s madness not to make the transition.”

Joining this speaker line-up is Barry Elliot, Vice President, Enterprise Accounts: Heavy Industries, Rockwell Automation, from South Africa, to provide insights into improving mining value from operations data.

He is set to outline solutions around data collection, storage, visualisation and analytics, with a focus on the company’s scalable analytics approach, the FactoryTalk Innovation Suite, as well as applications of AR/VR for visualisation, according to organisers.

In addition to a focus on analytics, data and security, other key themes are set to include the human element of technology, intelligent equipment, sustainability, as well as integration and connectivity.

The two-day conference will be complimented by workshops, a sold-out exhibition, networking opportunities, the Industry Leaders’ Dinner and Awards and more, organisers said.

International Mining is a media sponsor for the upcoming Austmine event

Austmine 2019 to showcase global mining innovations

“Mining Innovation – The Next Horizon” is the tag line for the fast-approaching Austmine conference in Brisbane, Australia.

Taking place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 21-23, the program for Austmine 2019 has been developed specifically for those driven by innovation and working within mining companies, mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies, as well as relevant academia and government, according to the event organisers. Over 800 attendees are expected at the bi-annual event.

“The Next Horizon for the industry will see fundamental shifts in mining technology which will alter the entire value chain, placing an emphasis on current planning decisions to ensure optimal future outcomes,” Austmine’s organisers said.

The three-day program contains over 40 presentations featuring more than 50 experts drawn from six continents, as well as hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, held in conjunction with the sold-out exhibition, featuring over 90 of the industry’s foremost companies.

Austmine Chief Executive Officer, Christine Gibbs Stewart, said: “This is now the leading mining innovation conference in the world; there are a lot of conferences out there, but nobody is as sharply focussed on innovation as we are.

“We have brought together the premiere thought leaders around innovation, which is quite exciting for us; the fact that we have so many international speakers and attendees is a credit to our previous conferences.

“It demonstrates that overseas miners are interested in what is happening in Australia, and they see Australia leading the way with some of the new innovations and technologies that are entering the market.”

Current confirmed speakers include Rag Udd (Vice President, Global Transformation, BHP), Natascha Viljoen (Global Head of Processing Operations, Anglo American), Marco Orellana (CIO, Codelco), Rob Labbé (Director of Information Security, Teck Resources), Rafael Estrada (CIO & Manager of Information Systems, Telecommunications and Process Control, Antamina Mining), John Welborn (Managing Director & CEO, Resolute Mining), and Frans Knox (Head of Production, BMA Coal, BHP).

The conference themes range from new machinery technology and techniques, including automation and artificial intelligence, as well as the human element of mining, the use of analytics and big data, digital connectivity in mining, and finally sustainability for the industry, encompassing renewable resources and resource management.

The event features the Austmine Industry Leaders’ Dinner and Awards on May 22, which will also celebrate the association’s 30 years of advocacy for the Australian METS sector.

Hexagon’s CAS to protect workers and equipment at Conuma Coal Resources ops

Hexagon’s Mining division has signed a safety solution deal with Conuma Coal Resources Ltd that will see its HxGN MineProtect collision avoidance system employed at the miner’s metallurgical coal operations in British Columbia, Canada.

The three-year subscription package will cover Conuma’s Brule (pictured), Willow Creek and Wolverine mines, near Tumbler Ridge, in north-eastern BC. These operations employ about 800 staff and have a fleet of exceeding 180 pieces of equipment.

Hexagon said: “Used in more than 30,000 vehicles and in over 60 mines worldwide, HxGN MineProtect CAS will give Conuma vehicle operators 360o proximity detection at any speed and in all conditions via unobtrusive cabin display units.”

The system is fully integrated with HxGN MineProtect Fatigue Pro, which uses computer vision technology to monitor operators unobtrusively while driving, according to Hexagon.

“Further integration with HxGN MineProtect Tracking Radar will help characterise a potential threat’s position and motion, providing drivers and operators the information they need to prevent incidents,” Hexagon said.

Conuma will also use HxGN MineEnterprise Platform, a web-based reporting and analytics solution, to monitor and control critical risk events by connecting a multitude of data sources via live dashboards. This will help visualise all aspects of CAS, according to Hexagon.

Hexagon Mining President, Josh Weiss, said: “We’re hugely impressed by Conuma’s commitment to safety. This is a great example of how subscription licensing and an integrated portfolio package adds flexibility while allowing mines to maximise safety. We share Conuma’s core belief that protecting people and equipment is the smartest investment a mine can make.”

Conuma President, Mark Bartkoski, said: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Hexagon to implement an integrated safety solution that provides protection for our employees. We are truly dedicated to providing our people with the tools to run a safe, productive and efficient operation that provides security for all of our partners.”