Richard Beesley

Underground Business Unit Manager

• Introduction of new technologies into underground mines intended to improve operator health and safety have exposed the operators to new risks when not properly trained

• Technologies advances require new approaches to operator training and skill assessment

• Simulation Technologies can be extended beyond training to assist operations with decision making

Rational

- Reduce operator exposure to noise, dust, and

vibration

- Allow for deeper cuts while removing the risk of

burying the operator

Problem

- Machine operators can position themselves in

risky locations

- Proximity detection systems are being rolled

out, but there is little training on how to operate

machine when a proximity system is in place.

- There is no understanding of the side effects of

proximity detection (e.g. overrides and lost

production).

Problem Impact

- Seeking higher production, operators may

inadvertently stray into high risk areas, risking a

fatality.

- Productivity may significantly decrease due to

accidentally shutting down the machine, when

proximity detection is installed. Alternatively,

operators may find loopholes, and operate less

safely (e.g. leave cutting head running).

Key Description

X General Location of Fatality

Occurred during maintenance.

Victim not operating machine.

Victim operating machine.

Underground Coal Mine in Mexico

• Geological conditions led to increased coal seam outbursts, putting miner’s lives in danger.

• To keep operators away from the risk of outbursts the site now operates using a tele-remote system.

• The site anticipated a 30% decreased in production levels with the new system

“Safety is our highest priority so going to a remote system was essential to protect our personnel. As part of this integration we wanted operators to be skilled and keep damage to the machines at a minimum.” Armando Diaz Cardenas, General Mine Manger – Mine VII, Mimosa.

• Advancements in mine automation increase productivity, reduce cost and increase safety.

• A major challenge in the adoption of automation is the re-shaping of a mining operation’s workforce to thinking and working differently.

• Autonomous operations requires thorough procedural training and assessment, with a number of ‘what if’ Scenarios

• Using Simulation technology to create visualizations of actual machines in the mine

• Currently have projects in Development

• Operators will be able to operate machinery from a safe location and have the information they require to be successful available