Automation improves mining productivity at Jaguar Operation

It is not the first time RCT’s smart technology has been used at Jaguar, a high-grade zinc-copper-silver mine that IGO has managed since 2011; the ControlMaster® Teleremote has been deployed on CAT 1700G loaders for the past few years.

In November 2017, IGO upgraded to RCT’s Guidance Automation Solution in order to speed up bogging cycle times, increase production, and minimise risk of damage to the loaders.

“Since introducing the Guidance technology, we have experienced a significant reduction in cycle times for the bogger, with a 32% improvement in cycle times when bogging on long tram routes,” explained Grant Hancock, Alternate Underground Manager at Jaguar.

“We realised that the greater the tram length, the greater the improvement. Recently in long winding drive, our operators tell us that the difference between Guidance and normal Teleremote is approximately 3:1 buckets.”

The Guidance Automation solution controls the machine’s steering, braking and speed. The speed is determined by the minimum width of the drive and the look-ahead distance of the on-board laser units as well as the object detection feature to further assist in tight areas.

In addition to the improvement in tramming times, there has also been a reduction in damage done to the machines.

“There has been little to no damage on the bogger that is on Guidance compared to the other bogger that is not,” said Hancock.

“This is positive on our bottom line because it means the bogger is spending less time in the maintenance shop and more time underground moving ore,” he said.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/03052018/automation-improves-mining-productivity-at-jaguar-operation/