These examples of available motor-vehicle technology fall within the semi-automated and automated classifications in the evolution of automation, specifically as operator assist. There are even autonomous vehicles, but they are programmed to drive in a controlled environment without unexpected occurrences which would require driver intervention.
In the mining industry, the automation process has not yet evolved to the level of sophistication available in motor vehicles. Most mining operations use conventional and mechanised mining methods, and the automation process is only now entering the remotely managed phase, with occasional ventures into semi-automated and automated machinery.
“The automation of motor vehicle functions is driven mainly by safety considerations,” says Dave Bentley, Anglo American’s Group head of technology development. “In the mining industry, safety, health and productivity motivate the drive to move forward in the automation process. We do not automate for the sake of automation, because, in many instances, operator reaction, experience and judgement assist in achieving an optimum combination of safety, health and productivity.
“We target mundane and tedious tasks for the next level of automation, as well as tasks that require accuracy and precision for a quality outcome. Accuracy and precision are not the best traits of the human being – and we do lose concentration when we are faced with repetitive, boring tasks.”
The quality achieved by automating repetitive tasks extends beyond productivity, to the operator – it improves job quality and satisfaction, because operators are freed to perform more and varied tasks, thereby improving their perspective on the production process of which they form part.
The sequence of tasks open-pit load haul truck operators face on a daily basis provides good examples of how quality though operator creativity assists in achieving optimum performance,” says Bentley.
In South Africa, three of Anglo American’s Coal operations and one Platinum operation are testing automated equipment – a truck and a drill at Landau and Mafube (a joint venture with Exxaro) collieries, a dozer at New Vaal and a drill at Mogalakwena platinum mine. The equipment, from various suppliers, has been fitted with automation kits to benchmark future developments towards safety and productivity.
But Bentley is clear: “Only in exceptional circumstances would one move to fully automated trucks as the norm, and such a move would be dictated by operating conditions which pose a threat to driver safety, geographical remoteness, severe weather conditions or unusual circumstances which might cause operator fatigue.”
So automation may be no panacea, but if it makes real jobs less repetitive, more efficient and safer, it has to be welcomed.
Adriaan Laubscher is a South African-based journalist of some 40 years' experience. The consultancy he established in the 1990s provides communication and design services to the mining, medical, finance and engineering sectors.
