Abstract
Remote and autonomous operations of underground mining equipment has advanced to the point where there are now several OEM specific solutions available. However, creating an integrated mine will require such technologies and solutions to be compatible with one another so that mining equipment from different OEM's can be remotely operated together. This requires collaboration from OEM's to develop the software interfaces and hardware integrations that enable seamless interoperability of the production zone safety systems, task / traffic / zone management systems, localization systems and equipment remote control systems.
Epiroc and MacLean Engineering have joined forces to make their respective systems work together. With close alignment on creating value through interoperability, the two OEM's have developed an environment where MacLean vehicles (a water-cannon and a secondary reduction drill) can be remotely operated inside of an Epiroc Scooptram Automation Total installation at a block cave mine in Australia. This white paper explores the details of how to setup a technology collaboration for success, how the engineering development process unfolded, how the system was deployed remotely in a COVID-19 striken world and the result of the installation at the mine site.