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Avoiding mining accidents

Approximately 90% of the planet’s platinum resources, 80% of its manganese, 73% of its chrome, 45% of its vanadium and 41% of its gold resources are produced in South Africa.

The mining industry is also South Africa’s biggest employer, with around 460 000 employees and another 400 000 employed by the suppliers of goods and services to the industry.

Trysome Auto Electrical Parts Distributors, is the single largest source supplier of auto-electrical heavy duty components in southern Africa. Established in 1991 and based in Jet Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, Trysome has branches in key mining districts in South Africa. Its focus is on providing specialised auto electrical components and safety solutions for heavy duty, earth moving, construction, agricultural, transport and mining machinery.

“The mining industry is a huge market in South Africa,” explains Eddie Smith, founder and managing director of Trysome. “We supply the mining industry with cameras and other safety systems for their trucks and other heavy equipment. It is of little consequence whether mining is carried out in open cast mines or underground, the equipment utilised is always huge and heavy, and as a result any accidents which occur are usually serious.”

In addition to the equipment being extremely large and heavy, an added complication is that the driver is sitting in an elevated position. This elevated position results in the driver not always being in a position to see what is happening directly in front, to the side or to the rear of his vehicle.

“Not having a clear view of what is happening around him can result in sometimes deadly, accidents. A mining truck, for example is such a huge vehicle that if the driver cannot see a normal LDV parked in front or behind him, he may accidentally drive right over it. Because the vehicle is so large and the terrain often rough he may not even be aware that he has driven over an obstacle and will simply continue to travel. Accidents of this nature are a regular occurrence since people do not always realise the danger of being close to one of these vehicles,” Smith further explains.

Avoiding accidents

In order to avoid these types of accidents, Trysome supplies a wide range of cameras and other products that are currently being installed on mining vehicles. Some of the vehicles are equipped with an 8 m radar system which warns the driver when something is in his path. In addition to the radar system we can also install GPS traffic alert systems which warn the driver timeously of any possible accidents.

The truck may also be equipped with cameras. These can be mounted on the front, the side and the rear of the vehicle. Images are relayed to a 7” LCD display screen located inside the cabin. Before starting his vehicle the driver should check all sides of the vehicle to ensure that the road is clear. Some of these cameras are even equipped with infrared illuminators so that the driver has a comprehensive view even when it is getting dark.

Cameras with infrared illumination can however, only be used for short range observations. Furthermore, vehicles utilised for open cast mining often need to operate in foggy or poor weather conditions which are often complicated by dust. Fog and dust are not ideal conditions for the utilisation of CCTV cameras or infrared illuminators.

PathFindIR thermal imaging cameras

“We were looking for another technology that can help drivers of mining vehicles to avoid accidents. After some research we got in contact with Timeless Technologies, distributor of FLIR Systems thermal imaging cameras in South Africa. When we found out what the FLIR Systems PathFindIR thermal imaging can do, we were impressed. Not only does it produce a crisp image in total darkness, but it can also see through light fog, dust and smoke. Exactly what is required for a mining vehicle.

“We are currently installing the first 68 PathFindIR thermal imaging cameras on board of mining vehicles. They are easy to integrate and are being mounted on the front of the vehicle. The images the PathFindIR produces are displayed on a large LCD screen located inside the vehicle’s cabin. The driver has the ability to switch on the thermal imaging camera at all times, however the thermal images are automatically displayed on his screen once he reaches a pre-determined speed (this differs from site to site). In this case we want him to look at the thermal images regularly. Not only during the night, but also in daytime since the PathFindIR assists vision in dusty, as well as foggy weather conditions,” Smith elaborates.

Potential for thermal imaging

The first installations were carried out on vehicles operating on open cast coal mines, however it is of no consequence if the vehicle is being utilised for coal, gold, diamond or any other type of mining operation. In all applications there will almost always be dusty conditions and all will benefit from having a thermal imaging camera installed. Other big and heavy equipment such as excavators, wheel dozers etc, which are required to operate in dusty conditions can also easily be equipped with thermal imaging. Mining equipment utilised for underground applications also have to deal with dusty and dark conditions and they too can be equipped with thermal imaging cameras.

“Compared to the cost of a vehicle and the money that is subsequently lost due to involvement in mining accidents, the cost of installing a PathFindIR thermal imaging camera is a minor and negligible expense. concludes Smith.

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