Low-cost internet of things (IoT) for monitoring and optimising mining small-scale trucks and surface mining shovels
Aguirre-Jofré, H; Eyre, M; Valerio, S; et al.Vogt, D
Date: 27 August 2021
Article
Journal
Automation in Construction
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Publisher DOI
Abstract
This paper discusses the design and deployment of low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) in mediumscale open pit mines to optimise the performance of their mining small-scale trucks and surface
mining shovels. Low-cost IoT can be implemented in medium-scale operations to automate the
collection of process management information that is ...
This paper discusses the design and deployment of low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) in mediumscale open pit mines to optimise the performance of their mining small-scale trucks and surface
mining shovels. Low-cost IoT can be implemented in medium-scale operations to automate the
collection of process management information that is currently measured manually, replicating
part of the results delivered by commercial Fleet Management Systems (FMSs) such as the
calculations of the number of truck cycles per shift, the shovel loading time, truck and shovel
positioning, tonnes moved per day, truck speed and average fleet efficiency. The process of
developing mining benches can also be monitored.
By monitoring these tasks, FMSs in the mining industry allow mine operators to maximise
productivity, reduce the number of equipment required to accomplish production targets, minimise
material re-handling, supply the plant as planned and meet ore blending objectives for better
metallurgical recoveries. In the case of large-scale mines, these mining operations are prepared to
invest in the high cost of a typical FMS (of the order of $100 000/month depending on fleet size)
because they enable mine operators to ensure that their capital-intensive fleets operate at peak
productivity, generating maximum return on investment. By contrast, many medium-scale mines
cannot afford the installation and ongoing costs associated with a commercial FMS. Medium-scale
mines typically have low capitalization, rented mining fleet and are run on a day-to-day basis, with
staff being employed or laid off on an almost continuous basis.
The emergence of low-cost IoT promises widespread and access to sensors and data that can be
used for operational decision-making. This paper presents a trial of a low-cost, under $100, IoTbased Fleet Information System (FIS). The system does not attempt to replicate the functionality
of a full FMS but delivers key management information to the mine operators while having low
capital and running costs and no requirement for IT or technical skills for installation or
maintenance.
In a test case in Chile, the FIS was used to inform operational management changes that resulted
in a reduction of loading time, optimisation of mining truck routes and truck speed control for
better safety without an increase in the mining cost.
The low cost of the solution allows medium-scale mines access to tools that can enable them to
mirror the performance improvements of their bigger competitors. For medium-scale mines, that
means longer life-of-mine, more local employment and a longer positive impact in the community.
Camborne School of Mines
Collections of Former Colleges
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's licence is described as © 2021. This version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/