An asset tracking system developed in South Africa is set to revolutionise the South African mining industry, not only from an increased productivity perspective, but also for mine safety and security.
Using the Flexcom leaky feeder technology, tried and tested in Canada for stability of data transmission purposes, the hardware and systems are being implemented by Mine Radio Systems, while the management systems, software and graphics are supplied by CS System Solutions, a division of JSE-listed CS Holdings.
By means of a simple process of tags and readers, the Flexcom leaky feeder system is being introduced to a number of South African mines, enabling a real-time audit of all underground assets at any one time.
Ideal as a management tool for monitoring production, the system involves two types of reader - fixed point and mobile point. For example, a tag is attached to a miner`s battery lamp. When the miner passes a fixed point the active transponder transmits a signal that will be picked by the reader. This data is transmitted via the leaky feeder system to the SCADA computer in the control room above ground where the operator can monitor and take action. Each asset is given a clear identity and description, allowing effective on-line monitoring of the miner`s exact whereabouts, how long he was there and to what point he moved on to.
The system is used in reverse for the tracking of larger, more physical assets such as locomotives, tracking vehicles, hoppers, material cars and explosive cars. A reader is installed in a locomotive and passive transponders or tags planted between the tracks every 100m. As the locomotive passes over the tag, the reader detects the tag, relaying the information to a central point where its specific identity is recognised and its location recorded. Using this information the locomotive can be mapped as it progresses through the mine.
"This technology offers tremendous benefits - not only for increased productivity and reduced downtime, but to significantly improve risk management on the mines," explains Mine Radio Systems MD, Arie Kruger.
"Operators man the control room on a 24 hour basis, controlling the equipment and despatching the vehicles from loading point to loading point as efficiently as possible. The system also records history of movement - should an incident occur on site, all information leading up to the incident can be extracted to determine exactly who was in the area and what equipment was involved."
To complete the total management system, precise production information can also be monitored. As the locomotive transports the hoppers towards the tipping area laden with ore, an in-motion weighing system differentiates between the locomotive, the hoppers and the load, detecting the true weight of the ore in each hopper. This enables the monitoring of production per shift, per locomotive driver and per hopper for the duration of each shift.
"The Flexcom software provides real-time, on-line asset management functionality, with on-screen queries and date ranged reports that can track an entire month," says CS Systems Solutions business systems director, La"el Heasman.
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