Tag Archives: MaxMine

MaxMine talks up data-led emission reductions for open-pit mines

Environmental, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

MaxMine has been talking up the potential of data in the quest for reducing emissions and boosting productivity at mine sites, with Tom Cawley, Executive Chair and Interim CEO, arguing that there is still plenty of low hanging fruit for mining companies to leverage on their way to achieving longer-term net zero mining targets.

MaxMine, the company says, is an automated, high-resolution data-based business reporting tool that combines advanced data acquisition technology with AI analysis to fully optimise mobile equipment and operator performance within mining and other mobile equipment-based operations, measuring performance differently and using gamification to change behaviours.

According to Cawley, the average open-pit mine can reduce Scope 1 emissions by up to 10-15% by leveraging data, with MaxMine insights enabling this average open-pit mine to improve productivity while also reducing its carbon footprint by around 15,000-20,000 t of CO2.

IM put some questions to Cawley to find out more.

IM: In terms of your expanding product portfolio, where are clients receiving the biggest and potentially quickest return on investments (ROIs) from your solutions?

Tom Cawley, Executive Chair and Interim CEO of MaxMine

TC: MaxMine has the most extensive dataset in the open-cut load and haul mobile mining equipment sector. We continuously collect data from all sensors across 10 original equipment manufacturers or equipment manufacturers. We have around eight million hours of data, enabling MaxMine to provide unique levels of measurement in the mining sector and equip us with an unparalleled range of potential applications. This enables us to cover a broad scope across all mines while delivering tailored solutions to our clients, depending on their requirements from site to site.

The areas of the highest value proposition for our clients include improved TMM (total material moved) by increased payload, reduced cycle times via driver feedback, improved haul road conditions, enhanced safety and faster incident investigations. Cost reductions are delivered by reduced queueing, off-haul travel, idle time, and improved tyre life. High-resolution data is used to measure the performance of and diagnose mining trucks delivering greater efficiency via engine performance improvements and increased availability via predictive analytics and faster fault resolution.

IM: Although you have a specific product focused on decarbonisation (MaxMine Carbon), would you say the majority of your solutions are providing emission reduction benefits? In terms of adding new clients, is this where a lot of the emphasis is?

TC: Yes, there is a strong correlation between productivity and fuel intensity reduction. The better productivity, the better the carbon intensity.

MaxMine Carbon enables mine sites to measure fuel burn on every asset, every second of the day. MaxMine’s high resolution data allows the difference between business as usual and improved operations to be measured, allowing the fuel saved to be included in the productivity benefits.

MaxMine’s high resolution data is used to:

  • Measure actual truck performance, identify trucks operating below design efficiency and provide diagnostic information; and
  • Provide granular feedback to drivers, which can be used to reduce fuel burn.

MaxMine Carbon isn’t only a separate fuel-saving feature; its capability allows open-cut mining companies to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint associated with Scope 1 diesel emissions and reduce operating costs related to diesel consumption.

IM: Where is the development of MaxMine Carbon for underground mining? What timelines do you have around the development and rollout of this solution?

TC: Open-cut mining is a large sector and offers significant opportunities for growth. It is much more energy-intensive at the equipment level compared with underground mining.

MaxMine is growing robustly in this area, and we’ll continue focusing on further penetration in the open-cut mining space in the near and medium term.

IM: Is your market proposition stronger at bulk mining operations than others?

TC: Our market is focused on open cut-mining and larger-size trucks, with a size class greater than 100 t.

IM: Outside of your existing portfolio, where do you see room for growth with different solutions? Are you actively engaged in pursuing such opportunities?

TC: We continue to focus and remain disciplined on our core markets, and our unique selling proposition delivers huge opportunities for MaxMine and the open-cut mining industry.

MaxMine taps Snowflake data cloud capabilities to aid mining’s net-zero ambitions

Environmental, IoT, Mining services, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

MaxMine, a technology solution for open-pit mines sites, has chosen Snowflake, the data cloud company, to help mine sites become more efficient, safer and environmentally sustainable as customers race to achieve net zero by 2050, it says.

Under the collaboration, Snowflake’s single, integrated platform will manage more than 25 TB of MaxMine’s operational data from its mining clients, providing high-quality data and near real-time analysis to help mining supervisors and operators, including those in remote locations, improve equipment lifespan, optimise their operations, make informed decisions faster and deliver operational changes in their sites.

By leveraging the Snowflake data cloud, MaxMine continues to build out its core product analytics capability, creating large critical data sets in running complex and large-scale queries on regular schedules, it says. The Snowflake data cloud will equip the company’s customer-facing business intelligence and product development teams to decouple their workloads to maximise value to our customers, MaxMine says.

Tom Cawley (pictured), Executive Chair and Interim CEO, MaxMine, says the average open-pit mine can reduce Scope 1 emissions by up to 10-15% by leveraging data.

He said: “MaxMine employs data enabling the average open-pit mine to improve productivity whilst also reducing its carbon footprint by around 15,000-20,000 t of CO2. At the same time, MaxMine’s safety solutions use data to determine incident causes and opportunities to improve truck operator behaviour. Huge amounts of data are vital to our mission to get Mining Done Different, so we needed a partner of Snowflake’s calibre. With Snowflake, we are able to derive greater value and deliver tangible benefits to our customers, supporting them and accelerating their decarbonisation journey.”

Ben Chartier, Head of Product Development, MaxMine, added: “We were impressed with Snowflake’s approach to decoupling compute and storage from the underlying data technology. With Snowflake, we were able to get a technical proof of concept up and running in a week, and so were able to demonstrate a meaningful capability uplift with a short time to value.”

Theo Hourmouzis, Regional Vice President, Snowflake Australia and New Zealand, said: “Snowflake looks forward to the continued collaboration with MaxMine, using data as the driving force, leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, enabling more mining operators globally to improve efficiency and achieve their net zero goals.”

MaxMine equips customers by maximising payloads, reducing idle time, off-haul or wasted operation and more efficient driving, the company says. With MaxMine’s innovative technology and data analytics capabilities using custom-built smart algorithms, AI and intuitive software, the company can support mining companies in developing a pathway to lower carbon emissions that maintains or even increases production.

Batchfire invests in six new electric drive Komatsu 930E-5 trucks for Callide mine

Coal technology, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, , , , ,

More than 60% of Batchfire Resources’ pre-strip mining fleet is now made up of electric drive dump trucks, after six new Komatsu 930E-5 ultra-class vehicles arrived at its Callide coal mine operations in Queensland, Australia.

The latest investment in six haul trucks maintains Batchfire’s policy of growing the proportion of electric drive machines within its overall fleet capacity, it said. The two draglines operating at Callide in central Queensland are electric powered.

Passing the 60% electric drive milestone significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide generated during pre-strip mining activities, according to the company. The new Komatsu 930E-5 dump trucks come with around 8% less emissions intensity than the older diesel-mechanical models being phased out, it said.

In addition, these new dump trucks will enhance productivity and deliver improved safety outcomes for Batchfire’s team of experienced operators, it said.

“Continuing to reduce the Callide Mine’s environmental impact and carbon footprint is a key priority for Batchfire Resources,” Allan Fidock, CEO of Batchfire, said.

“Batchfire is an agile business which places sustainability at the heart of our operations. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to reduce our overall emissions and this is reflected in our procurement policy.

“The Komatsu 930E-5 provides us with clear advantages in emission control, productivity and safety so investing in this market-leading model is the right solution for our business.

“In addition to these new machines, we expect to add a further three 930E-5s in the coming months, allowing us to phase out some of our older diesel-mechanical drive models.

“Maintaining our fleet’s high standards of reliability and efficiency, while increasing the size and capacity of the machines we operate, will result in productivity gains that benefit our entire business and emissions reductions that benefit the world in which we operate.”

Fidock emphasised that the procurement of diesel-electric drive machines was one aspect of a broader sustainability strategy at Batchfire.

“Our dedicated ESG and Development team is working with the board to strengthen ESG practices and identify opportunities to further reduce our emissions,” he said.

“This includes progressing the renewable energy projects, which are a central pillar of our transitional energy business model.

“We have also reduced fuel consumption across the diesel-mechanical drive and diesel-electric drive pre-strip and coal mining fleets by investing in MaxMine and other smart solutions. This data-driven approach to operations has improved our operations efficiency.”

MaxMine’s sensors and cloud-based processing system (MaxCube) extract and process 10,000 times more data from mining equipment and operator behaviour than incumbent systems, according to the software company, driving efficiencies and productivity.

The coal that Batchfire produces for the domestic and export market is the lowest fugitive emission energy coal mined anywhere in Queensland, according to the company, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in power generation within Australia and overseas.

MaxMine Carbon to help mining sector’s ‘net-zero’ transition, du Plessis says

Environmental, Mining software, Sustainable mining, , , ,

As miners chase their mid- and long-term ‘net-zero’ ambitions, MaxMine’s CEO, Coert du Plessis, says they can start cutting their open-pit carbon output by 5-20% today with MaxMine Carbon.

MaxMine’s sensors and cloud-based processing system (MaxCube) extract and process 10,000 times more data from mining equipment and operator behaviour than incumbent systems, according to the company.  It is this platform that MaxMine Carbon is leveraging to reduce operations’ carbon emissions.

“MaxMine’s secret is providing highly accurate, trusted data that is automatically converted and contextualised into practical measures that mines can take to significantly reduce their carbon emissions,” it said. “Covering mine, machine and operator performance, urgent actions and decisions are communicated directly to operators, improvement leaders, and mine operators.

“In just 12 months, MaxMine has also increased site productivity by up to 12% at mines all over the world.”

MaxMine Carbon leverages trusted, high-quality data and operator behaviour that helps customers understand and manage their carbon footprint, according to du Plessis. “Our customers will be able to leverage the MaxMine Carbon Driver Tree and our new online MaxMine Carbon Calculator to provide a baseline of their current carbon emissions,” he said.

Backed by over 5 million hours of machine asset and operator data, the Carbon Calculator helps mines build their case for change, according to the company, allowing sites to quantify their current carbon emissions and then make critical trade-off decisions towards reducing emissions, while maintaining and even improving productivity.

“The MaxMine Carbon Calculator really is a first for the industry,” du Plessis said. “The first step in reducing carbon emissions, is being able to accurately quantify your current starting point.”

MaxMine Carbon measures a highly detailed carbon footprint across the entire mine, from every piece of equipment to each individual operator’s behaviour, according to the company.

“There are many operators in the mining chain with vast variations in behaviours,” du Plessis says. “An example might be one worker who drives fast and another slowly who holds up both trucks whilst producing unnecessary diesel CO2 and nitrous oxide. Or both trucks are loaded but not filled.

“Had they been fully loaded, only one carbon-free trip would have been required.”

MaxMine Carbon generates significant $/material tonne cost savings and early mover CO2/tonne of material savings, according to the company.

du Plessis said: “Clients can expect MaxMine Carbon to pay for itself in just 20 weeks from fuel savings alone. When combined with the broader MaxMine suite, this figure drops to less in 10 weeks.

“The average mine site is 150,000 t/y of carbon from the diesel fleet, and we can save up to 30,000 t of that CO2 right now every year.

“If we don’t reduce carbon every year, raw material prices will rise significantly across the supply chain, hampering net-zero for the world.”

NRW to leverage MaxMine tech platform at Dalgaranga gold mine

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mine operation news, Mining equipment, Mining services, Mining software, Precious metals, , , , , , , , , ,

NRW Holdings’ mining division has entered into an agreement with MaxMine to install its technology across the A$300 million ($216 million) Dalgaranga gold mine contract in Western Australia.

The MaxMine platform harnesses cutting-edge hardware, digital automation, advanced artificial intelligence-based analytics and human-powered coaching to empower mine sites to increase environmental efficiency and operationally productivity, according to the company.

NRW was seeking a mining technology provider who could provide reliable data-driven, automated optimisation of its operations on site, leveraging the existing teams and fleet to further its data and broader technology leadership ambition within the mining industry.

The Dalgaranga gold mine is owned by Gascoyne Resources. NRW reach agreements with Gascoyne to keep providing services at the mine back in 2020 after the miner’s successful A$125 million recapitalisation process.

NRW has invested in building out its internal data analytics capabilities and was ready to step up its approach to partnering with service providers that supply to industrial data quality and help solve big data analytics challenges, it said.

Additionally, a tight domestic labour market has increased operator turnover at all mine sites and is an especially challenging issue for the mining contracting segment.

MaxMine’s technology automatically captures, enhances and contextualises up to 10,000 times more data at open-pit mining operations, relative to the industry standard fleet management system products, according to the company. Its data processing pipelines automatically contextualise all equipment, operator, and site data relative to each other, and dynamically to the conditions within the shift, such as weather, or other external factors.

This contextualised site data (a digital twin) is translated, in tandem with implementation coaching, to generate tangible increases in asset productivity and reliability of equipment, through three primary improvement states. These are: (1) Get in control; (2) Optimise Performance; and (3) Ramp up production rates.

These outcomes are evidenced by existing customers who experience, on average, an 11% payload increase and halve tyre costs after implementing MaxMine, the company said.

NRW Operations Manager, Adam Harper, said continuous innovation and intelligent use of data is core to NRW mining division’s future, and another way NRW is consistently adding value for its customers beyond moving tonnes.

NRW General Manager Mining Division, Tim Abrahams, added: “NRW emphasises good data as a critical enabler of our operational effectiveness and partnering with MaxMine, who are a leader in fleet operations data, allows us to continuously improve our performance for our customers.”

MaxMine Chief Executive Officer, Coert Du Plessis, said the two companies were aligned in pursuing a more sustainable and reliable mining industry.

“The benefits from this cooperation extend beyond MaxMine or NRW; the global challenge of ‘Net Zero’ by 2050 cannot be achieved without an order of magnitude change in mining efficiencies. Working with NRW is another fantastic example of great partnerships helping transform a critically important industry into a safer, more efficient and environmentally-friendly component of the world’s economy.”

The announcement of the agreement with NRW comes one month after MaxMine officially launched MaxMine Carbon, a technology offering that, the company says, will enable mining operators to reduce their carbon emissions by 5-20%, depending on their existing efficiencies, with limited or no additional capital expenditure.

MaxMine Carbon seeks to cut emissions at open-pit mining operations

Environmental, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Mining software, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

MaxMine has announced the official launch of ‘MaxMine Carbon’, a technology offering that, it says, will enable mining operators to reduce their carbon emissions by more than 10% for no, or limited, additional capital expenditure.

The MaxMine Carbon offering was unveiled last week at the annual Rotto Tech Fest, as part of the West Tech Fest, held on Rottnest Island in Western Australia.

MaxMine Carbon is a mining productivity tool which captures, processes and analyses vast amounts of data, then translates that data into pragmatic solutions for clients that deliver significant carbon emissions reductions and productivity gains at open-pit mining operations, specifically in load and haul operations, the company explained.

The technology platform harnesses cutting-edge automation capabilities and advanced data analytics to capture up to 10,000 times more data at open-pit mining operations, relative to the industry standard fleet management system products, according to MaxMine.

During extensive trials of MaxMine Carbon at various open-pit mining operations, miners were able to accomplish an average minimum carbon emissions reduction of 10% within just one month. This is the equivalent to replacing more than four trucks in a fleet of 40, with zero-emissions vehicles, for zero capital expenditure, the company estimated.

MaxMine Carbon also allows companies to quantify their carbon emission savings for inclusion in ESG and sustainability reports.

Furthermore, miners experienced an average payload increase of 7% at the operations where the MaxMine Carbon beta product was implemented.

This additional production output, while using the same resources, also translates into significant cost savings and efficiencies for the mine site operators.

“In fact, from a client perspective, MaxMine Carbon is on average expected to pay for itself in just 12 weeks from fuel savings alone, and, coupled with the broader MaxMine suite, this figure drops to six weeks,” the company said.

MaxMine Chief Executive Officer, Coert Du Plessis, said the company’s new offering provides resources companies with a cost-effective solution to achieve emissions reduction targets, as regulators, investors and the broader community increasingly focus on reaching a net zero emissions world.

“Emerging renewable energy solutions for miners that are commercially viable remain at least 5-10 years away, but many mining operators have emissions reductions targets to meet in the short term and medium term,” Du Plessis said.

“This is where MaxMine comes in, as a revolutionary technology offering that can overcome this challenge by empowering miners to reduce their carbon emissions right now and also potentially boost their bottom line. It also enables miners to quantify their carbon emissions reductions.

“Net zero mining starts here.”

The launch of MaxMine Carbon coincides with MaxMine being crowned a winner at the Extreme Tech Challenge Australia last week for its data analytics proficiency and work on MaxMine Carbon.

Since its inception in 2015 in Adelaide, MaxMine has grown from five to 50 people, and expanded its corporate presence to also encompass Perth, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia, as well as Pretoria and Cape Town in South Africa, with further international expansion planned.

Over the past five years MaxMine has achieved revenue growth of between 70-100%/y.

Du Plessis said MaxMine Carbon would underpin sustained growth for the company.

“The demand for tangible solutions for miners to meet ESG criteria is growing by the day, with the cost of capital for miners with the lowest ESG scores up 20-25% higher than those with high ESG scores, so we anticipate strong uptake of our new product,” he said.

Former BHP data strategist to lead open-pit mining equipment data specialist MaxMine

Communications in mining, IoT, Mining people, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , ,

Former BHP Global Data Strategy Lead, Coert Du Plessis, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of mining technology business MaxMine.

Du Plessis commenced in the role of Chief Operating Officer of MaxMine on May 1, 2020, working with MaxMine’s management team behind the scenes over the past 12 months to successfully configure and guide MaxMine through its significant Series A funding round announced last month, the company said.

MaxMine is an automated, high-resolution data-based business reporting tool that combines advanced data acquisition technology with AI analysis to fully optimise mobile equipment and operator performance within mining and other mobile equipment-based operations, measuring performance differently and using gamification to change behaviours.

On July 1, 2021, Du Plessis was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Du Plessis commenced his professional career with global consulting firm, Deloitte, moving up the ranks to become senior partner before the age of 40. He then established and led the firm’s Western Australia data analytics practice. He then moved to BHP to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies and cultivate collaborative ways of working. His scope at BHP included the design and establishment of an Innovation Mine at BHP’s Eastern Ridge operations in Western Australia, developing the BHP Dahling Industrial IoT platform, embedding next generation digital technologies at existing operations and major new capital projects – such as Jansen – and steering the final technology investment review of the South Flank iron ore project.

Du Plessis said three things ultimately convinced him to move from BHP to take up the new roles at MaxMine:

  • “One, the calibre of the existing leadership team and their adaptive business mindset; demonstrated in successfully raising growth capital in a year disrupted by COVID;
  • “Two, generating industry leading data quality and confidence in their results, an order of magnitude better than incumbent fleet management system. It means MaxMine users transition from teams arguing about the validity of data to knowing what needs to be done next; and
  • “Three, the ability to over-come digital inertia and drive technology adoption with front line operators and operational leadership teams month in and month out.”

He added: “It was inspirational to see the speed at which the MaxMine team could develop these incredible technologies and develop the unique delivery approaches whilst maintaining an incredible focus on customer value.

“MaxMine has gone further than any other technology product and service I have come across in solving the challenge of delivering consistent value for mine site operations. The quality of MaxMine’s data asset sets us apart in the industry, and we believe we can apply the same operational improvement approach that allows us to enable delivery of more tonnes of ore, to also significantly reduce CO2 tonnes expelled in mining operations. Moving beyond the growing list of CO2 reduction aspirations to reductions delivered is an outcome I deeply care about.”

MaxMine Director, Robin Schleich, who is also Dupont Sustainable Solutions’ global operations director, said: “Mining companies need, and want, to partner with true industry innovators such as MaxMine to help them navigate the ramp up in digital disruption in the industry and combat growing operational cost pressures.

“Based on the significant investment last month, it is clear MaxMine provides one of the strongest platforms to drive industry productivity and emissions transformation.”

MaxMine’s outgoing CEO, Tom Cawley, will transition to Executive Chair, focusing on adjacent business opportunities for the company and setting up the board to support the company’s growth.