В 2014 году канадская горнодобывающая компания «Eldorado Gold» приняла решение о полном внедрении телематического дистанционного управления на территории его подземной золотой шахты Уайт Маунтин на северо-востоке Китая для извлечения руды из очистных камер.
"This decision was based on improving both safety and productivity by using well-known technology not yet established in China”
- генеральный директор Уайт Маунтин, Уоррен Уйен
На Уайт Маунтин используется метод скважинной выемки открытым забоем через большие первичные забои (заполненные цементированной намывной насыпью) и вторичные забои (преимущественно заполненные пустой породой), ориентируясь на 800-950 тысяч тонн в год.
Prior to implementing RCT’s Smart Technology, the site used handheld Line-Of-Sight (LOS) equipment. Due to regulatory requirements in China, this process required two workers – one remoting and one to manually operate the bucket.
"White Mountain struggled to maintain optimum productivity due to the continual changing between manual and (LOS) remoting,” Mr Uyen said.
Помимо влияния на производительность, также имелись соображения безопасности.
"LOS always had the potential for one operator to enter the remoting area if procedures weren’t strictly followed,” he said.
По причине удаленного расположения шахты руководство Уайт Маунтин также хотело быть полностью самодостаточным в отношении ремонта и обслуживания системы «RCT».
To help improve productivity and safety, RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote system was selected. It was fitted to White Mountain’s R1700 loader by an RCT technician and RCT software was tailored and converted to Chinese text for the Teletransmitter.
Совместно со специалистами Уайт Маунтин «RCT» разработала конструкцию индивидуальной автомобильной рамы для установки станции дистанционного управления, встроенного сиденья станции «RCT», двойных мониторов и системы защитных лазерных барьеров.
Operators now conduct all Teleremoting from a converted delivery truck. The bright blue vehicle is fitted with climate control, high-tech video equipment and is lit with red light to protect operators’ eyes. The portable vehicle now travels to all stoping areas underground, but allows operators to control the loader from a safe area, within the security of the laser barrier system. This ensures no other personnel can enter the remoting area which further increases workers’ safety.
The loader is designed as a "plug and play” system, meaning it arrives on location, ready to set up in advance. It then utilises a battery power pack installed on the back of the truck, which gives it up to five days of continuous power. In the event of the batteries becoming low, the operator is alerted and simply disconnects before driving to the workshop where another spare power pack is ready to go and can be replaced in under 30 minutes.
Кроме этого, погрузчик оснащен полуавтоматическим оборудованием для самостоятельного рулевого управления благодаря лазерной навигации на скорости до 10 км/ч. при перемещении по дистанционно управляемому участку.
«RCT» также предоставила двухнедельный курс полного обучения операторов и технических специалистов для достижения абсолютной самодостаточности персонала в техническом обслуживании системы. Курс обучения включал в себя диагностические сценарии и был неотъемлем для достижения специалистами Уайт Маунтин своей цели обретения полной самодостаточности в обслуживании и ремонте системы. Тем не менее, при необходимости, «RCT» продолжает предоставлять технические рекомендации и рекомендации в области поиска и устранения неисправностей на удаленной основе.
Система телематического дистанционного управления ControlMaster® была не только самой первой системой своего рода, используемой в Китае, но и представляла собой огромный успех, повысив производительность и безопасность на месторождении Уайт Маунтин.
"White Mountain was the first Chinese mine to embrace the available hardware and technology and integrate it into the primary ore extraction tool,” Mr Uyen said.
By utilising RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote system at the site, productivity increased substantially; achieving a record of nearly 6,300 buckets in one month, which is equivalent to more than 60,000 tonnes of ore.
"The perceived benefits in productivity were estimated between 25-30 percent, meaning the system would pay for itself in less than six months, however, actual data shows productivity gains of more than 35 percent.”
- генеральный директор Уайт Маунтин, Уоррен Уйен
Loader operator safety also increased significantly as miners now conduct bogging operations from within a custom-built cabin located about 500 metres from the potentially hazardous stope area.
"The added and most important benefit was the removal and control of personnel from the work area,” Mr Uyen said.
Fitting the loader with semi-automation, further improved the operators’ working environment.
"[It] reduces operator fatigue and virtually eliminates impact damage to the machine hitting the walls,” Mr Uyen said.
"Meanwhile machine data is transmitted back to the remote control station, so if any critical faults are detected, an alarm sounds and a message appears on the operator’s screen – just as if they were in the cabin.”
Mr Uyen said the Teleremote system continues to improve as operator and maintenance skills improve.
"This successful model can be transferred to any site,” he said.
"The operators do not want to go back to the old system.”
"As global leaders in machine control and automation, RCT was delighted with the opportunity to provide Eldorado Gold with China’s first Teleremote system at White Mountain,” said RCT Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brett White.
"We look forward to continuing to empower their operators and improve safety and bottom line performance,” he said.
This project was completed using RCT’s standard "off the shelf” offer, which was customised to suit particular circumstances, procedures and site operations. All RCT products can be adapted to be fit for purpose in mining environments globally.
Eldorado Gold is a leading gold producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkey, China, Greece, Romania and Brazil. The company currently operates three gold mines in China: Jinfeng, Tanjianshan and White Mountain. Eldorado’s success to date is based on a low cost strategy, a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, safe and responsible operations, and long-term partnerships with the communities where it operates.