Axis supports the first fully automated drill fleet in Africa

CCTV Handbook 2017 Editor's Choice, Surveillance

Kolomela Mine, situated in the Northern Cape in South Africa, is Kumba Iron Ore’s newest operation. It mines lump iron ore, which is in high demand from Asian-Pacific as well as European steel markets due to its excellent physical strength and high iron content. Kolomela boasts an estimated life expectancy of 29 years, with around 23 years remaining, and has potential for further expansion.

Kumba cemented its position as an early adopter of new technologies when it implemented automated drilling on the Kolomela Mine. This project was the first fully-automated drill fleet in Africa and aimed to increase utilisation, improve safety and performance, boost reliability and productivity, and save costs.

Flanders was commissioned to supply the autonomous blast hole drilling control system, as they are renowned for engineering best-in-class solutions to overcome mining operation challenges. The system promised to improve safety, optimise blast-hole planning, generate more predictable fragmentation, and enhance the performance of the drilling fleet.

Remote drill visual monitoring

Automated drilling presents many benefits as it promises to increase efficiency and reliability, while improving safety, minimising downtime and lowering operating costs. It is best suited for remote and inaccessible locations, and allows for more accurate pressure control and more rapid response to drilling anomalies. Combined with visual monitoring through high-definition cameras, a single person can operate multiple drills from a control room on a 24/7 basis.

The remote command of mining equipment relies on line of sight through remote drill monitoring to honour the guidelines of the Mine Health and Safety Act, specifically guidelines towards Trackless Mobile Machinery (TMM). And, as the preferred supplier to Kumba Iron Ore, Sedna Industrial IT Solutions (Sedna) were asked to provide visual monitoring to support this.

Axis Development Partner, Sedna, specialises in mining systems. Peter Dormehl, director of Sedna, has partnered with Kolomela over the years on technical mining solutions, and therefore understands the requirements and client preferences.

Dormehl commented, “In making our recommendations to Kumba’s team, we put Axis forward as the IP camera partner of choice. Sedna has worked with Axis for almost a decade and we’re confident in their product’s support. We know their hardware can survive demanding environments as we’ve deployed their cameras in mining operations worldwide.”

A few years ago, Sedna built a Geo-Cam for monitoring operations within environments such as opencast mines, where there is no cabling infrastructure. The robust, mobile device is solar powered and locates positional information or tracks a moving object with GPS. The camera communicates via industrial wireless LAN and can be controlled (pan, tilt, zoom) remotely, allowing for remote monitoring operations.

“Part of our solution to Kolomela was to install seven Geo-Cams, which were equipped with the Axis Q6115-E network camera as the base platform for drill and bench monitoring, while the Axis Q8722-E network camera was used as the base for the six thermal Geo–Cams for drill and bench monitoring in poor light or high dust conditions.

“We installed outdoor Axis P3905-RE network cameras on the drills as they’re ideal for onboard surveillance. This is recorded and managed on a Milestone platform with the Geo-Cam software,” explained Dormehl.

“The drill project deployment was rolled out over eight months by a strong, competent team of experts who helped contribute towards ensuring that our automated drilling delivers against an ambitious growth strategy,” concluded Sipho Mathonsi, manager, engineering at Kolomela Mine.

For more information contact Axis Communications, +27 (0)11 548 6780, sasha.bonheim@axis.com, www.axis.com



Credit(s)




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Pentagon appointed as Milestone distributor
Elvey Security Technologies News & Events Surveillance
Milestone Systems appointed Pentagon Distribution (an Elvey Group company within the Hudaco Group of Companies) as a distributor. XProtect’s open architecture means no lock-in and the ability to customise the connected video solution that will accomplish the job.

Read more...
Re-imagining business operations with the power of AI
AI & Data Analytics Surveillance
inq., a Convergence Partners company, has introduced a range of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to assist organisations across industry verticals in optimising business operations and improving internal efficiencies.

Read more...
Eight MP dome for harsh environments
Axis Communications SA Surveillance Products & Solutions
Axis Communications announced a marine-grade stainless steel camera that offers performance in harsh environments. Enclosed in an electropolished stainless steel casing, it can withstand the corrosive effects of seawater and cleaning chemicals.

Read more...
Enhance control rooms with surveillance and intelligence
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Mining (Industry)
Dr Craig Donald advocates the use of intelligence and smart surveillance to assist control rooms in dealing with the challenges of the size and dispersed nature common in all mining environments.

Read more...
A long career in mining security
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Mining (Industry) Risk Management & Resilience
Nash Lutchman recently retired from a security and law enforcement career, initially as a police officer, and for the past 16 years as a leader of risk and security operations in the mining industry.

Read more...
A constant armed struggle
Technews Publishing XtraVision Editor's Choice Integrated Solutions Mining (Industry) IoT & Automation
SMART Security Solutions asked a few people involved in servicing mines to join us for a virtual round table and give us their insights into mine security today. A podcast of the discussion will be released shortly-stay tuned.

Read more...
Risk management: There's an app for that
Editor's Choice News & Events Risk Management & Resilience
Zulu Consulting has streamlined the corporate risk management process with the launch of Risk-IO, a web-based app designed to consolidate and guide risk managers through the process, monitoring progress as one proceeds.

Read more...
Integrated information platform for risk management
Editor's Choice News & Events Risk Management & Resilience
Online Intelligence recently launched version 7 of its CiiMS risk and security platform. Speaking to SMART Security Solutions after the launch event, the company’s Arnold van den Bout described the enhancements in version 7.

Read more...
Unlocking Africa's AI potential
Editor's Choice News & Events AI & Data Analytics
Africa's AI market is set to grow exponentially; by investing in AI education, training, and ethical practices, African nations can harness the power of AI to transform the continent and create a brighter future for its people.

Read more...
The CIPC hack has potentially serious consequences
Editor's Choice Information Security
A cyber breach at the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has put millions of companies at risk. The organisation holds a vast database of registration details, including sensitive data like ID numbers, addresses, and contact information.

Read more...