Tag Archives: load and haul

CR Digital extends Titan 3330 load and haul optimisation system to wheel loaders

IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, , , , ,

CR Digital is bringing its Titan 3330 Load Haul Optimisation system for hydraulic excavators and shovels to the wheel loader market.

The Titan 3330 for Wheel Loaders range extension expands the benefits of increased productivity capabilities across a new class of loading machines, the company said.

Built on close to 1,500 Mt of in-field experience and 150-plus deployments, the Titan 3330 Load Haul Optimisation system enhances productivity in mining operations, CR Digital says. By providing truck payload measurements in real time, the Titan 3330 system enables excavator and now wheel loader operators to load trucks more accurately, increasing the average payload per truck without increasing major overloads. Titan 3330 provides optimal circuit efficiency for a mine site’s load haul fleet, the company said.

General Manager at CR Digital, Damian Assaillit, says the range extension was developed through an agile software development methodology, incorporating customer input throughout the product development journey.

Assaillit said: “At CR Digital, we ensure the products we develop provide the highest value to our customers, and so close collaboration in the development process is integral to the way we work. With continual feedback and in-field experience, CR Digital is able to engineer increasingly sophisticated technologies, such as the Titan 3330 for Wheel Loaders, in a manner that delivers optimal value to our customers.”

He added: “The benefits of Titan 3330 for Wheel Loaders don’t stop at increased increasing circuit efficiency and payload optimisation. The Titan 3330 has been engineered to help reduce machine damage, with in-built structural duty monitoring during dig cycles. Combined with our Orion Data Analysis software, the team can help interpret data from your operation to continually identify improvement opportunities.”

With trials of the new system already complete, CR Digital is confident of the improvement and production efficiencies produced by the new Titan 3330 for Wheel Loaders, it said.

Hastings Deering starts APM equipment journey with load and haul

Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining services, , , , , , ,

Hastings Deering, a distributor of new, used and rental Caterpillar machinery and services, has launched an Asset Performance Management (APM) solution that, it says, bolsters the company’s strategy of helping customers use Cat equipment more productively.

Hastings Deering Asset Support Supervisor, Kurt Pidgeon, says the new APM solution complements the company’s traditional value proposition.

“Hastings Deering has always been very effective with analysing the reliability and availability of equipment,” he says. “However, customers buy machines for productivity, so we decided to start providing productivity solutions to complement existing traditional reliability analysis that we perform.”

Starting with load and haul machinery and expanding into other operational areas, the APM solution delivers a wide range of reports and recommendations to improve productivity, according to the company.

APM is concerned with how the entire mining circuit is performing as a system, rather than a single facet of an operation, or individual machine, the company says.

“There are many information systems that aim to bolster productivity, but APM is unique in providing insights into how the whole circuit is performing as a system and specific recommendations on how to improve,” Pidgeon explains. “We help customers achieve their maximum sustainable production rate circuit-by-circuit as the mine plan evolves, as opposed to looking at one machine at a time.”

He added: “Analysing machine productivity has been done well for many years. Key performance indicators like truck payload have been a strong area of focus, for example. What if trucks are not the constraining factor on site and it is the load tool instead?

“Using APM, we focus on the broader mining operation so that we can better understand exactly where the improvement opportunities are.”

APM analyses the data from an entire mining operation to provide in-depth insights that lead to productivity and efficiency boosts, according to the company.

For Pidgeon, this means finding areas of improvement that may otherwise go unnoticed.

“Mining clients receive insights from the APM software via a team of specialists here,” he explains. “That leads to productivity improvements and efficiencies gained.”

Hastings Deering will soon expand the APM platform to other disciplines, such as drill and blast, with the aim of supporting the entire value chain of an operation.

“We’re about to start a module for the analysis for drill and blast processes,” Pidgeon says. “Further to this, we are developing analytical tools for each of the processes in mining.

“This will also include wash plant and material handling aspects to properly understand how one part of the value chain affects the performance of another. You need the complete picture to find the weakest link in that whole value chain.”

Remote operations have become critical to sustain mine operations this year in response to the restrictions enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hastings Deering has developed the APM solution to enable miners to analyse performance remotely when required.

“Remote management of mining is well accepted now,” Pidgeon says. “Working remotely in all facets of productivity monitoring is no different.

“It certainly enables clients to review site operations without having to be there. Mining is an industry where people work and live in different locations. Minimising travel if we can do so is an important thing to do at this time.”

MACA wins three-year contract extension at Ramelius’ Mt Magnet gold mine

Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Contract miner MACA has been given an extension to its contract at Ramelius Resources’ Mt Magnet gold mine, with the ASX-listed company set to continue providing mining services at the Western Australia operation for another three years.

The project extension will consist of open-pit mining services including drilling and blasting, and loading and hauling, MACA said.

It is expected the project extension will generate approximately A$130 million ($93 million) in revenue for MACA over the three-year term.

MACA says its total work in hand position now stands at a healthy A$2.3 billion.

Mike Sutton, MACA CEO and Managing Director, said: “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Ramelius Resources at Mt Magnet for a further three years. The services we provide at Mt Magnet and Edna May for Ramelius make up an important part of MACA’s work in hand in the gold sector.”

Sandvik launches LS312 flameproof LHD in South Africa

Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, , , , , , , , ,

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technologies’ new LS312 underground loader has found favour with South Africa coal miners, with orders already placed for the flameproof LHD.

The company announced it would be adding the LS312 to its line of coal load and haul vehicles back in November last year.

The first active units will start rolling off the local production line in the June quarter, according to Richard Hickson, Product Support Manager at Sandvik Mining and Rock Technologies.

“The LS312 loader is an enhanced 12 t high-capacity heavy-duty utility vehicle, building on the best features of our 10 t LS190 and 12 t LS190S models,” Hickson says. “This raises the bar once more in terms of better performance, reduced emissions and lower total cost of ownership.”

Powered by the C7.1 mechanical engine, the new generation LS312 complies with Tier II emission standards while ensuring quieter and more efficient operation, according to Sandvik.

“Customers’ productivity will benefit from increased engine performance, with 20% higher torque and 8% more power,” he says. “The lower rpm at which the machine can run also translates into less engine wear and lower emission levels.”

Hickson highlights that the new design continues to include a focus on reliability and maintenance. The drivetrain has been enhanced with a 12 t axle, while the structural integrity of the front frame has been strengthened. Maintenance crews will have easier access to hydraulic test points, which are now located in a panel on the side of the machine, making for safer working practices, Sandvik says. In addition, the improved cooling system will further reduce maintenance time.

The product also offers an optional electronic shutdown system, providing easier fault diagnosis and reducing the mean time to repair.

With the industry-driven need for the collection of machine and operational information, the Sandvik LS312 LHD offers an on-board data monitoring capability allowing for transfer of information via the mine’s Wi-Fi network and management through the My Sandvik Cloud platform.

“Safety is paramount in all our designs, and a proximity detection interface is now provided as standard,” Hickson says. “The lower frame design – facilitating improved visibility for the operator – has been retained in the LS312.”

The local manufacture of this new model brings several benefits to customers and the economy, Stephan Greisiger, Production Manager at Sandvik’s manufacturing facility in Jet Park, South Africa, says.

“Local production of the LS312 units will significantly reduce the lead time to our market,” he said. “This makes it easier for customers to plan capital equipment purchases.”

CR Digital to tackle fragmentation optimisation with Thunderbird buy

Communications in mining, Explosives and blasting, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining mergers and acquisitions, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , ,

CR Digital has agreed terms to acquire Seattle-based Thunderbird Mining Systems in a transaction that, it says, further expands CQMS Razer’s digital technology division’s product offering, IP, sales/marketing and technical support activities.

Thunderbird founder, John Vynne, and his team have been pioneering measurement while drilling (MWD) technologies since founding the company and have a rich history in drilling technology and guidance for surface mining, CR Digital said.

Damian Assaillit, Head of CR Digital, said: “Thunderbird Mining Systems were highly regarded in the mining technology sector, providing world-leading blasthole drill optimisation technologies to mining customers for over 30 years.”

Vynne added: “There is immense appetite for digital knowledge of drill planning and blast outcomes, and the Thunderbird technology combined with CR Digital’s Load Haul Optimization creates a unique and compelling combination that our mining customers will be able to leverage.

“Thunderbird’s technology is proven to increase mine productivity, reduce drilling costs and improve blasting effectiveness.”

The addition of blasthole drill optimisation and rock knowledge systems reflects a strategic move by CR Digital to expand its product range across fragmentation through to load and haul optimisation, it said.

Assaillit said: “Thunderbird Mining Systems products complement our existing CR Digital product range, including our market-leading Titan 3330™ Load Haul Optimization technology. Optimised fragmentation is a key variable in the productivity of load haul circuits and being able to offer our customers more real-time knowledge is a great opportunity to further enhance mining productivity using technology.”

The Titan 3330 technology uses sophisticated instruments and patented algorithms to calculate and display the payload of each bucket, accurately, in real-time and during motion, before it is dumped into the truck, according to CR Digital.

CR Digital said Thunderbird Mining Systems’ customers will benefit from the enhanced capability of the global CR group, CR Digital’s proactive technical support, the data analytics capability of its Orion platform, and access to a broader technology portfolio providing enhanced value to their operations.

Truck & Shovel conference gains Singapore Mining Club support

Automation, Careers in mining, Communications in mining, Equipment maintenance, IoT, Mining consumables, Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining maintenance, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The inaugural Truck & Shovel conference is now just over seven weeks away and the stage is set for an exciting event looking into the future of the global loading and haulage industry.

With topics such as automation, digitalisation, fleet management, and tyre and fuel optimisation on the agenda, there will be much to discuss at the 1.5-day event, taking place at the InterContinental Singapore, Middle Road, on September 19-20.

In addition to gaining the support of Komatsu Mining (Platinum Sponsor), Zyfra Mining (Gold Sponsor) and Mining Industry Professionals (Media Sponsor), IM Events is pleased to announce that the Singapore Mining Club has backed this global event.

Truck & Shovel 2019 will now be held in association with the Singapore Mining Club, an influential group that exists to promote development of Singapore as the pre-eminent regional hub for the management and financing of mining enterprises.

We chose Singapore for this global event for several reasons, including:

  • Many of the big mining companies have procurement and marketing hubs in this Asian metropolis;
  • It acts as a gateway through to key mining hubs such as Australia, India, China and Indonesia, and;
  • It has good transport links and an excellent reputation for event hospitality.

Taking place in Ballroom I and II of the InterContinental Singapore, this event has attracted a number of high-profile speakers that have masses of industry knowledge to share with delegates.

We plan to kick off the day with a keynote from Komatsu Mining’s Jason Knuth (Senior Manager – Data Solutions) and Simon Van Wegen (Product Manager – Data Solutions) on ‘Data-driven designs for dynamic mining environments’.

The duo, who have spoken at many high profile conferences around the world, are set to reveal how advanced mining original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are leveraging the plethora of data nodes on smart equipment to adapt equipment and design solutions for the modern mine environment.

Mikhail Makeev, Global Business Director, Zyfra Mining, is set to continue this digitalisation theme during his catchily-titled ‘How to make your mine “rock”’ presentation. The company has automation and fleet management expertise that it has applied across many mine sites, with Makeev keen to share details on these experiences.

Automation

For those focused on surface mining automation, Truck & Shovel tackles the concept from three different angles.

Drew Larsen, Director of Business Development, ASI Mining, will provide a business case for haulage automation with a presentation titled: ‘Autonomous Mining – more feasible than you might think’. The company, 34% owned by global mining OEM Epiroc, began work on a project with Barrick Gold to retrofit and automate a fleet of Komatsu 930-E Ultra Class haul trucks at the Arturo joint venture operation in Nevada, last year, and is expecting to issue news on projects with other miners in the near future.

Tony Cutler, Principal Consultant, OTR Global, will be tackling automation from a different stance in his ‘Factoring tyres into autonomous haulage’ presentation. Research from the leading mining OEMs offering autonomous haulage systems (AHS) indicates these systems have the potential to prolong tyre life, a claim Cutler will interrogate up on stage.

And Steve Russell, Director – Mining, Scott Technology Ltd, will be looking at autonomous refuelling in his talk. With a title of ‘Robofuel Robotic Refuelling – A safety and productivity initiative for the 21st Century Mine’, he will highlight case studies that showcase just how effective this process is in an open-pit mining context.

Equipment design and innovation

The look and feel of loading and haulage equipment hasn’t changed dramatically over the past few decades, but with mining companies and OEMs now receiving data in real time about how trucks and excavators are operating and interacting with each other, one would expect these design blueprints to, in the future, be altered in some way – for example Komatsu’s cabless haul truck concept.

Taking on this topic at the event will be Christopher B Althausen, Director of Sales & Marketing for Pioneer Solutions LLC, and Brad Rogers, CEO of Bis Industries.

Althausen’s presentation, ‘Mining truck design and development: challenges, hurdles and solutions’, looks at his and his company’s experiences approaching haul truck design over many decades. Rogers’ talk, meanwhile, focuses on ‘Innovation in minesite haulage’. With Bis Industries now having successful trials of its revolutionary Rexx haul truck in its back pocket, delegates will look forward to hearing all about the proven productivity benefits of using this 20-wheel machine.

Maximising payload

The first day of the event will finish with a packed session on truck bodies and excavator buckets where four speakers will highlight just how effective customised solutions can be in the open-pit mining environment.

Carl Samuelson, Global Business Support Manager, Metso Haul Truck Solutions, will talk about successes the mining OEM has had with its hybrid haul truck tray, the Metso Truck Body, while David Pichanick, Global Manager Market Development & Innovation, Austin Engineering, will reveal how thinking ‘outside the box’ and changing the way the company uses materials in dump bodies and buckets has had an impact on safety and productivity. Tom Smith, Engineering Manager at DT HiLoad, rounds out the truck body talk, presenting, ‘HERCULES: The Strongest Tray in Earth’.

Ian Cornfoot, Managing Director of G&G Mining, has the honour of closing day one with a presentation on the use of customised excavator buckets titled, ‘Moving Rocks Not Steel – “Productive innovations in earthmoving buckets”’.

Fuel efficiency and management

As has been well documented, fuel efficiency is key when it comes to open-pit mining, with optimised fuel selection and management often keeping the cost per tonne down.

This topic kicks off day two of the event, with Kevin Dagenais, CEO of Blutip Technologies, looking at the use of predictive modelling techniques to target mining inefficiencies in this space. Sean Birrell, Group Product Officer, FluidIntel, follows closely behind him on ‘Analytics opportunities in fuel and lubricant management – unseen risks & untapped value in your supply chain & operations’, with Joao Silveirinha, Chief Technology Officer of Banlaw, rounding out the fuel talk with a talk titled, ‘Digital Transformation and Automation as it relates to the management of Hydrocarbons in Mining’.

Safety and training

The last session of the conference is all on safety and training, with two speakers keen to talk up the benefits of these in open-pit mining where accidents can cost lives and machines.

Daniel Bongers, Chief Technology Officer of SmartCap Technologies, will present, ‘Zero fatigue incidents achieved – moving to alertness monitoring’ in his 30-minute slot, with Graham Upton, Director of Business Development at simulator specialist, Doron Precision Systems Inc, following him with ‘Shovel and Truck, side-by-side Coordinated Training’.

For details of how to register for this event, or access the full program, please visit the website: https://im-mining.com/truck-and-shovel/

Please note, all company delegations of two or more people are entitled to a discount. Get in touch with Editorial Director, Paul Moore ([email protected]), or Editor, Dan Gleeson ([email protected]), for more information.

Sandvik LHDs and dump trucks open to third-party proximity detection systems

Automation, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , ,

Sandvik Load and Haul says it has developed a Proximity Detection System Interface for its underground LHDs and dump trucks.

The feature allows installation of a third-party proximity detection system (PDS) to a Sandvik underground loader or dump truck to meet legal requirements and improve safety in underground operations.

“PDSs help to improve safety at mine and construction sites where risks of collision may occur,” Sandvik said. “The PDS is generally designed to slow down and/or eventually stop the equipment in case the system detects a person or an object carrying a tag inside a predefined zone. The exact operation of the PDS always depends on the selected system and the local conditions, which vary from site to site.”

Marjut Seppälä, Product Safety Manager, Load and Haul, said: “A PDS is a legal obligation in South Africa, which is an important market area for Sandvik. We have developed the interface to meet these requirements and, at the same time, to improve safety on our customer sites. As we want to provide the same opportunity for all our customers, regardless of the market area, the interface now becomes globally available for our loaders and trucks.”

She continued: “But even though PDSs help to improve safety, they shall never be used to replace normal safe and sound operating practices.”

The PDS interface comes together with another safety enhancing feature, Speed Brake Interlock, which is used to prevent excessive speed during driving. When the Speed Brake Interlock functionality is in use, it monitors the equipment speed and guides the operator to slow down by means of visual and audible messages on the system display.

MACA drafts up mining contract for Okvau gold project in Cambodia

Mineral project development, Mining equipment, Mining services, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

ASX-listed MACA has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a subsidiary of Emerald Resources to supply equipment and contract mining services at the Okvau gold project in Cambodia.

The MoU with Renaissance Minerals is subject to a final investment decision to develop the project by the Emerald Resources Board of Directors, MACA noted. A draft mining contract between MACA and Emerald, agreeing on all material terms, conditions, schedules and rates, will be executed upon this decision.

MACA’s proposed scope of work under the mining contract includes load, haul, drill and blast utilising 100-t class dump trucks, with the initial term of the contract aligned to the current schedule of seven years with an option to extend. This equates to around $220 million in revenue, MACA said.

MACA Managing Director, Chris Tuckwell, said MACA will use the experience it gained in establishing both a foreign subsidiary and starting a new mine whilst working in Brazil over the last four years to Renaissance’s Cambodia project.

Emerald Resources’ Managing Director, Morgan Hart, said: “The board and management of Emerald have worked closely with the team at MACA over the past 20 years in a multitude of successful operations and are very pleased to continue the relationship on the Okvau gold mine development.”

On 1 May 2017, Renaissance announced the completion of the definitive feasibility study (DFS) on the development of a 2 Mt/y operation at Okvau. The DFS delivered an initial ore reserve of 14.3 Mt at 2 g/t Au for 907,000 oz of gold at an average all-in sustaining cost of $731/oz over an initial seven year life of mine.

Cat 990K wheel loader to receive payload boost with Aggregate Handler

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Caterpillar has boosted the payload of its 990K wheel loader with the introduction of its Aggregate Handler.

The attachment provides as much as a 25% payload increase compared with the standard 990K Wheel Loader, enabling customers to load trucks and railcars faster and to move more material in load-and-carry and stockpile handling tasks.

The Cat® 990K Aggregate Handler has a payload of 22 tons (20 t) and a full-turn static tipping load of 96,426 lb (43,738 kg). Additional counterweight maintains machine stability, and the robust 990K structures ensure durability in the Aggregate Handler configuration.

“The loader makes best use of general purpose and coal buckets for increased volume,” Cat says.

It is available in standard lift configuration with 13.5 ft (4,108 mm) dump clearance and in high lift configuration with 15 ft (4,569 mm) dump clearance. Increased capacity and high dump clearance enable customers to load railcars and large trucks with a better pass match for faster material handling at lower cost per ton, Cat says.

The 990K Aggregate Handler complements the smaller 986K and 988K Aggregate Handlers in the Cat large wheel loader line. The Aggregate Handler, however, is not designed for use in quarry face or other shot rock applications, according to Cat.

The new 990K Aggregate Handler is built on the proven features of the 990K wheel loader, Cat says.

“The 990K powertrain provides powerful operation with superior fuel efficiency. The Cat C27 engine powers the loader and delivers net power of 699 hp (521 kW). Lower engine speed helps drive economical fuel use. Additional fuel savings accrue with the ECO Mode (on-demand throttle), engine-idle shutdown system, and engine-idle kickdown/auto-resume system,” the company says.

Cat’s exclusive, field-proven impeller clutch torque converter uses a lock-up clutch, providing direct drive to boost fuel economy, cut cycle times and reduce heat. This is especially so in load-and-carry applications, Cat says.

“The system allows operators to balance rimpull and hydraulic power for optimum loading efficiency. Positive Flow Control implement hydraulics use a variable displacement, electronically controlled pump to precisely apportion oil flow based on operator control inputs,” the company says.

The operator station features the Cat Vital Information Management System, VIMS™ 3G, which provides customisable operator profiles, a cycle timer and an integral Payload Control System for “on-the-go payload weighing”, Cat says.

The company says the graphical information display is easy to use and keeps key information in front of the operator, while the Cat Comfort III seat provides integrated seat-mounted controls making for smooth and comfortable operation. Transmission controls, integral with the STIC™ steering lever, allow convenient travel control, Cat says.

The 990K is equipped with the Cat Vision rearview camera system and in-cab display for improved visibility. The Cat Detect object detection system, available as an option, builds on this system with radars and in-cab software that provide notification to the operator when an object is detected within the radar coverage area.

Bis brings step change in flexibility and efficiency with Rexx haul truck

Base metals, Coal technology, Equipment maintenance, Industrial minerals, Mining equipment, Mining maintenance, Mining services, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, , , , , , ,

Australian resource logistics company Bis has launched a new mine haulage product, Rexx, as it looks to offer companies a “step change in flexibility and efficiency”.

Rexx is a haul truck built to carry a 160-t payload and travel more than four times further than conventional dump trucks.

The product will form part of Bis’ suite of bespoke load and haul solutions, which also includes Dual Powered Road Trains, providing a highly competitive, integrated mine haulage solution for its mining customers, the company says.

“Bis has leveraged its unique position as both a leading mine haulage operator and as a proven OEM (through its subsidiary Powertrans) to design and build Rexx in-house, in Perth, Western Australia,” the company said.

Speaking at the product launch in Perth, Bis Chief Executive Officer Brad Rogers said Rexx was a game changer for mine haulage, incorporating the best features of long-haul road trains and short-haul mine trucks.

“Rexx’s robust and simple design leverages our existing knowledge and resources. This has meant we were able to keep our manufacturing costs low, allowing Bis to deliver savings to customers through our service delivery model,” he said.

“At Bis, we are driven by bringing technology and innovation to our customers to deliver real value. We are very excited about the opportunity that Rexx creates for a whole range of mining operations in Australia and internationally.”

Rexx has been designed to operate on narrower, lower specification roads. The design offers a smoother ride and better visibility for operators and dramatically improved tyre management, according to Bis. The haul truck has also been designed for ease of maintenance.

Rexx’s greater distance capability eliminates the need for double handling and its associated risks, Bis says.

Designed with the highest safety requirements in mind, Rexx is equipped with Bis’ fatigue management system, as well as 360°-view cameras and reversing cameras for greater hazard management.

Earlier this month, Bis expanded its underground mining services offering with the acquisition of UGM.