Smart technology specialist RCT is pleased to partner with mining services company Develop and deploy state-of-the-art digital automation technology at its recently awarded Bellevue operation in Western Australia.
RCT’s digital ControlMaster® solution empowers Develop with the best autonomous technology to safely manage their underground mobile equipment fleet and make consistent production gains.
The autonomous solutions are in line with Develop’s innovative business ethos of combining impressive technology with experienced professionals to transform operations into mining powerhouses.
Develop machine operators are excited in anticipation of utilising the ControlMaster® Automation Centre and manage a Sandvik LH517i underground loader within the underground complex.
In the future the company will roll out additional autonomous Sandvik LH517i loaders in line with their evolving mining fleet requirements as they move into production activities.
To accommodate a larger autonomous fleet, Develop will harness the power of ControlMaster® Multi-Machine Select (MMS) and Multi-Machine Control (MMC) capabilities into their Automation Centre.
These features mean machine operators can switch between underground loaders located throughout the mine and subsequently take control of each machine.
Develop will further support the Bellevue fleet by rolling out RCT Connect which is the only available mining communications infrastructure designed to accommodate autonomous mining equipment.
The specialised Wi-Fi network will ensure consistent communications and very low machine latency between the machine fleet and Automation Centre.
RCT’s Kalgoorlie Branch Manager Rick Radcliffe said the work at Bellevue will provide a strong foundation on which to grow a business relationship between the two companies.
“We are very pleased to be Develop’s automation technology supplier and provide cutting edge solutions and a very high level of service from the beginning at Bellevue,” he said.
“We will be there alongside Develop as they kick off autonomous machine activities and we are confident that our technology will deliver results every shift.”
“RCT proudly has 50 years of experience supporting Goldfield’s mining companies and we look forward to applying all our knowledge to whatever situation Develop faces in the future.”
One of North America’s leading producers of concentrated phosphate and potash is rolling out a cutting-edge strategy to enhance its mining operations and improve safety for its workforce. As part of this strategy the mining company engaged smart technology specialist RCT and its valued technology partner Excelsense to introduce innovative technologies to achieve this goal.
Excelsense is a world leader in developing high quality vision systems for use in global heavy industries with particular focus on the mining sector. The company addresses an ever-growing demand for highly durable and extremely reliable optical vision systems especially in relation to the use of autonomous technology across mobile equipment operations. Excelsense prides itself on developing self-sufficient, self-cleaning cameras and sensors with a cleaning method that eliminates the need for external hardware such as nozzles, hoses or airtanks that could become vulnerable to the harsh conditions often found at the mine face. The technology improves personal safety as it does not require intervention from site personnel to inspect or engage directly with the camera unit.
RCT deployed its market-leading ControlMaster® automation technology in partnership with
Excelsense which provided their cutting-edge ToughEye™ 1700 self-cleaning cameras to
enhance mining fleet operations at the mining company’s phosphate operation in Florida, USA.
The combined technology package was commissioned by RCT’s experienced technicians
on one of the mine’s Komatsu 155AX dozers to assist in the mining of phosphate rock. The
combined technology package enabled site personnel to safely direct the dozer to push raw
material out from the under the stacker onsite from a safe vantage point.
RCT’s advanced ControlMaster® automation technology relocated the dozer operator away from
the machine’s cab to a specially modified ControlMaster® Automation Centre away in a central
location. By harnessing the power of the Automation Centre, site personnel could access the
full range of machine functions as if they were sitting in the machine’s cab. As part of the project
RCT’s technicians installed five Excelsense ToughEye™ 1700 self-cleaning cameras in strategic
positions around the dozer to provide operators clear and unobstructed views around the dozer.
The ToughEye™ 1700 self-cleaning cameras are specifically designed to operate in extremely
harsh mining environments and can continue to operate in the face of abrasive dust, mud,
oil, grease and water. The technology can self-clean for several years with no scheduled
maintenance and operates without hoses, tanks or nozzles and does not need to be refilled with
detergents or other products often used to clean lenses.
At the request of site personnel, RCT configured the Automation Centre to allow site personnel
to activate the camera’s self-cleaning capabilities with the press of a button. Once activated, the
camera lens rotates 360° and the camera unit’s inbuilt technology cleans the lens and provides
crystal-clear camera vision which is displayed in the Automation Centre. Site personnel also
have the option of configuring the camera on a timed cleaning cycle.
Since the Excelsense ToughEye™ 1700 self-cleaning cameras and ControlMaster® automation
technology was installed, the feedback from site personnel has been overwhelmingly positive.
The self-cleaning function gives the dozer operator very clear and unobstructed camera views
of the working area and in turn has significantly improved dozer utilisation. The ability of the
camera lens to clean itself by rotating 360° means dozer operators do not need to approach the
machine and manually clean the lens which could potentially damage the lens. The operator’s
ability to manage all camera functions and dozer functions from outside the work area from the
ControlMaster® Automation Centre is a significant safety improvement for all site personnel and
enables them to work more efficiently and effectively.
Excelsense Advisor Bryan Anderson commented: “We are extremely proud to support our
partner RCT in implementing the ToughEye 1700 camera and empowering the mining company
to achieve its operational goals. ToughEye was created to support personnel working in harsh
conditions - similar to those found on this mine - and to provide a very view of the working area
at all times.”
For its latest civil project in the USA, smart technology specialist RCT automated a mixed earthmoving fleet which has safely and effectively cleaned up a major landslide.
RCT’s market-leading ControlMaster® solution formed a crucial part of the overall project as it relocated earthmoving machine operators into a secure control room, away from the unstable work face.
This ensured the project complied with state safety regulations and allowed the civil contractor to safely clear the landslide which blocked a major road at the base of a Californian valley.
RCT’s local Field Service Team attended site and commissioned ControlMaster® onto the earthmoving fleet consisting of one Cat D8T dozer, a Cat 349F Excavator and a Cat 740 articulated dump truck.
The team also established three ControlMaster® Automation Centers within the secure control room and mentored machine operators in utilizing the technology to achieve maximum machine efficiency.
RCT Senior Account Manager Landon Lounsbury said they were able to successfully complete the project within the specified short timeframe.
"Rolling out ControlMaster® enabled the contractor to comply with safety regulations and complete the full scope of works needed to get the job done without compromising the safety of their operators,” he said.
“The machine operators loved the comfort and the functionality of the Automation Center and were impressed they could direct all machine functions as if they were sitting in the machine’s cab.”
“While ControlMaster® has an extensive history in the global mining industry we are pleased to demonstrate through this project that the technology can empower large-scale civil and construction industry projects.
RCT is excited to once again take part in the forthcoming Elko Mining Expo which is one of the most prominent and longest-running mining industry events in the United States.
From June 9 – 10 you will find RCT’s experienced US team at booth 523 where they will be showcasing RCT’s truly interoperable and scalable ControlMaster® automation solutions currently used by major American mining operations to yield incredible results.
The team said the upcoming event was always a highlight on the annual mining calendar for them.
“We are excited to be going to the Elko Mining Expo for the 5th consecutive year. We are committed to helping the mines throughout Nevada advance in Technology and Automation, and it’s a privilege to support the local community and Miners across Nevada, said RCT’s Senior Account Manager Landon Lounsbury.
Landon will be joined by the branches Account Manager, Aaron McIntosh and Parts Manager, Jason Hardman.
“I look forward to visiting Elko and represent RCT at this year’s Mining Expo. Elko always brings much excitement from the local community as it draws crowds from all over the world. RCT play a key role in the US mining sector and we are looking forward to talking about how our solutions are making a significant difference in increasing productivity and profits in a safe manner,” said Aaron McIntosh - who was born in Elko and raised throughout the “Battle Born State.”
RCT’s team will join more than 300 other exhibitors at the premier event, which will be held at the Elko Convention & Conference Center in Nevada.
RCT is pleased to be showcasing its cutting-edge technologies to top-tier Canadian mining companies at the forthcoming Canadian Mining Expo (CME) in Ontario later this month.
Front and center of RCT’s presence at CME will be our ControlMaster® automation technology which has a strong history of enhancing Canadian surface and underground mining operations.
The Canadian team, comprising of North America’s Regional Manager, Samuel Peterson and Global Business Development Manager for Mining, Ryan Noden are looking forward to meeting with potential and existing clients and promoting the benefits ControlMaster® to their operations.
“CME is always a highlight for the RCT team. We play such a big role in the Canadian mining community and this expo provides such a great platform to meet with industry people and discuss our interoperable automation, information, and protection solutions,” said Mr Peterson.
“We will be happy to share with conference attendees’ stories of our success and how our ControlMaster® automation technology is advancing local mining operations right now.”
“It is important for all conference attendees to know that RCT has an established presence in Ontario and when you partner with us we will be here to support you every step of the way.”
The two-day event runs from June 8- 9 and is expected to draw about 5,000 visitors. If you are one of them, then please drop by and chat with the team at R8-07 (Arena 2 and Upper Deck) at the McIntyre Community Centre, Timmins.
Safety is paramount for national printing specialist, Ovato who have successfully utilised RCT’s Muirhead® Speed Gates solution at its warehouse operations in Western Australia.
Muirhead® Speed Gates automatically reduces an industrial machine’s speed depending on pre-determined speed restrictions across a logistics site.
Meaning that regardless of operator input this product effectively enforces speed limits in yards, inside warehouses and common pedestrian areas.
The technology is mounted above warehouse entrances/exits and racking aisles and communicates with Machine Location Tags fitted to the roof of equipment such as forklifts and reach trucks.
Ovato WA Logistics Manager Mark Mead said their operation uses a fleet of Toyota forklifts including plain models and machines with clamp and grab capabilities.
He said since being installed the Speed Gates have worked well and the site has not recorded any incidents.
“I have had no reports from anybody on site about any issues or problems so I would say they have definitely been a success at this location,” he said.
“The product is pretty much set and forget so the staff are aware it is there and when driving the forklifts you notice the change in speeds when you drive around inside the warehouse and then move outside.”
Mr Mead said they sought to install Speed Gates to improve safe forklift operations and ensure compliance with safety policies.
“Similar to how we have speed limits for cars onsite it is important we have the same rules with forklifts,” he said.
“If you are carrying a two-tonne load then you want to have confidence that you are in control of the machine’s speed so it makes sense to have Speed Gates for sure.”
In a world-first technology project, global mining company PT Freeport Indonesia has rolled out a fully autonomous fleet of mobile rockbreakers at its West Papuan mine in partnership with smart technology specialist RCT.
PT Freeport’s industry-leading corporate policies mandate safer mining practices to remove personnel from working in areas of the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) and Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) which are prone to wet muck rushes.
To fulfill this safety-driven mandate PT Freeport engaged RCT to implement its fully autonomous ControlMaster® Guidance product across the rockbreaker fleet.
This project is the first time ControlMaster® Guidance – which has more than 8 million hours of autonomous operation across Load Haul Dump (LHD) production fleets – has integrated with mobile rockbreakers.
The successful rollout of the rockbreaker fleet yet again demonstrates that ControlMaster® is a truly interoperable solution and can integrate with any machine make or model.
PT Freeport worked closely with RCT’s dedicated onsite technical team to commission the four mobile rockbreakers and extensively tested the machines in the underground panel cave mines.
The work forms part of PT Freeport’s overall mandate for RCT to automate the mine’s diverse underground ancillary fleet which includes the mobile rockbreakers, Getman Water Carts and Cat clean-up LHD machines.
In line with PT Freeport Indonesia’s overall mine development plan the fully autonomous ancillary fleet will operate in a designated Autonomous Mining Area (AMA) within GBC and DMLZ.
Going forward, machine operators will manage the ancillary fleet via ControlMaster® Automation Centres located within the state-of-the-art Remote Operations Room (ROR) on the mine’s surface.
By utilising the Automation Centre’s Multi Fleet Select (MFS) capability operators can switch control of the mobile rockbreakers, water carts or clean-up loaders in line with changing fleet requirements at short notice.
Working from the ROR safeguards machine operators from hazards found at the mine face and enables “hot-seating” which significantly reduces shift handover time across fleet operations.
RCT Account Manager Shane Smith said the technology significantly optimises mobile rockbreaker fleet operations in addition to safeguarding the machine operators.
“PT Freeport is a very innovative company and continually invests in new technologies to evolve their mining operations and RCT is very pleased to guide them on this journey,” Mr Smith said.
“The mobile rockbreakers are utilised in the extraction level draw points to clear larger rocks however these draw points are prone to wet muck rushes which represented a significant safety hazard to site personnel.”
“Initially, we commissioned the rockbreakers with our ControlMaster® Teleremote solution which allowed machine operators to directly manage the machine from the ROR.”
“ControlMaster® Guidance enables independent fleet operations including faster tramming and consistent machine operations and prevents the machine from impacting against the walls of very narrow draw points.”
“This solution reduces unplanned machine maintenance downtime while consistent machine operations allow for better planning and forecasting activities.”
RCT experienced Customer Service team will continue to work with site personnel to support the technology as the mine evolves.
USA retail chain Lifetime Products is enhancing its logistics operations following the deployment of RCT’s advanced fleet management solution SmarTrack® Global.
The industrial fleet management technology provides Lifetime Products' management with a comprehensive overview of their materials handling equipment fleet and workforce behavior.
Lifetime Products sells a broad range of outdoor equipment including sporting goods, porch furniture and gardening equipment which are manufactured and distributed by over 1,500 employees.
The company originated in the garage of its founder in 1986 but now boasts six outlet stores across Utah, one in Idaho and a network of international partners.
Lifetime Products Area Supervisor Brandi James said SmarTrack® Global is benefitting fleet operations across multiple areas.
“(Since) installing SmarTrack® on our lifts (it has) improved our safety 10-fold (and we) have been able to manage maintenance on the machines a lot better,” he said.
“(SmarTrack® has) improved our overall productivity and keeping the workers liable for what they are doing and how they are spending their time (when they operate the equipment).”
SmarTrack® Global’s market-leading features include global reporting whereby managers can access real-time data on the entire mixed equipment fleet regardless of make or model across multiple sites, from one device.
The solution also offers pre- and post-start checklists, email alerts for incidents and expiring licenses, operator login requirements and machine speed, weight, seat and buckle monitoring.
Following a successful trial period of SmarTrack® Global, RCT’s Salt Lake City-based team are rolling out the solution across 15 machines within two Lifetime warehouses at the Freeport Center Industrial Complex in Clearfield, Utah.
SmarTrack® Global is seamlessly integrating with Lifetime’s diverse fleet including Uni Carrier internal combustion RSIL18NV and MCUIF2A25LV forklifts and Jungheinrich battery-electric ETG318 forklifts.
RCT Account Manager – Industrial, Nikolas Walden said the solution is providing Lifetime with real-time data which enables managers to make immediate improvements across their mixed equipment.
“SmarTrack® is holding operators accountable for equipment damage and management has noticed that SmarTrack®-equipped machines have significantly less damage than machines without SmarTrack®,” he said.
“The technology enables supervisors to easily access pre-shift inspections and to receive real-time alerts when a lift needs service or repairs.”
“SmarTrack® has increased productivity across their operations because management can see what machines are spending excessive amounts of time idling and they can implement new procedures to address this.”
RCT’s local Field Service team are implementing SmarTrack® Global across the machine fleet and providing onsite technical support to Lifetime staff on an ongoing basis.
Global mining company PT Freeport Indonesia has successfully operated one of the largest mining operations in Indonesia for decades thanks to their ability to embrace innovative technology solutions to enhance their mining operations.
Freeport runs copper, gold and silver mines across five separate underground and surface operations in the highlands area of West Papua in Indonesia.
For over 30 years Freeport has enlisted the services of smart technology specialist RCT to achieve its goals of deploying market-leading technology solutions to make mining operations safer for workers and to optimise operations.
In the early 1990’s Freeport implemented RCT’s ControlMaster® remote control solutions across its mixed Sandvik and Wagner production mining fleet operating in the DOZ underground mine and Grasberg Open pit.
ControlMaster® was the ideal solution for Freeport’s mixed mining fleet due to its ability to integrate with any machine type and grant the user effective control of the machine from a safe vantage point.
No matter the project type, RCT has carried out all works to a very high standard from supplying ControlMaster® remote solutions to carrying out full machine rewiring projects onsite across the underground Load Haul Dump (LHD) fleet.
Freeport extensive technology intake also included deploying the ControlMaster® remote control technology across the surface mining fleet including Cat D11 and D10R dozers and installing teleremote technology onto a Cat 994 wheel loader within the open pit mine.
RCT has also previously commissioned ControlMaster® Line of Sight remotes onto a variety of surface drills including a Commando drill and Cubex drill rigs as well as a fixed position rockbreaker.
Over the years Freeport’s technology requirements have evolved and every time RCT has supplied technology in-line with changing expectations from providing analogue communications equipment through to more current digital networks.
At present, Freeport and RCT’s relationship is going from strength-to-strength with RCT providing bespoke technology solutions to Freeport’s entire fleet of specialised equipment.
RCT Account Manager Shane Smith said the local environment presents many unique challenges and Freeport is determined to address these issues with technology and mine in a safe way.
“Due to hazardous conditions in the underground mines such as wet muck rushes, Freeport sought to automate water cannon trucks, mobile rockbreakers and other highly specialised equipment,” he said.
“Global OEMs were not able to deliver technology to meet Freeport’s standards and so we customised our own technology to create a solution that suits their specific applications.”
“This has been so successful that Freeport now instructs global OEMs that their machines must have an RCT solution fitted at a factory level.”
“The current working relationship between Freeport and RCT is built on the foundations of many years of hard work in delivering effective automation solutions and supporting that technology.”
In 2015, Freeport asked for a RCT specialist to be deployed permanently onsite to provide a high level of support for the extensive range of automation solutions implemented across the mines.
These solutions include deploying the ControlMaster® semi-autonomous technology on Cat r1700 and r2900 loaders which can be managed by operators in Freeport’s central Remote Operation Room (ROR) on the mine’s surface.
Other projects include automating 24 chutes systems spread across the Big Gossan, DOZ and DMLZ mines and relocating the chute operator from the gantry to the ROR.
Freeport have also implemented RCT’s Haul Truck Operator Assist (HTOA) technology to optimise underground truck loading operations.
Most recently, RCT commissioned a secondary breakage fleet at Big Ghossan including Getman and Elphinstone water cannon trucks, mobile rockbreakers and Cat skid steers.
The mobile rockbreakers have been commissioned with RCT’s autonomous ControlMaster® technology and enables personnel to manage machine operations from the safety of the ROR.
Mr Smith said going forward the team will enhance the Multi Fleet Select (MFS) capability which will enable site personnel to operate multiple machine types from one Automation Centre on the mine’s surface.
“We will soon have nine new Automation Centres located in Freeport’s ROR and we will fully support local personnel in the ramping up of their autonomous fleet operations, he said.”
“Freeport is at the forefront of embracing technology to enhance their mining operations and we are very pleased to support them in this journey.”
Leading global mining company PT Freeport Indonesia has completed a major technological advancement at its West Papuan underground mine by successfully automating 24 underground mine chutes.
The project sets a new standard in underground mine safety by relocating operators away from the throat of the chute to a secure Remote Operations Room (ROR) on the mine’s surface.
Freeport engaged smart technology specialist RCT to implement its ControlMaster® Teleremote technology onto the 24 chutes which can be managed by operators via seven ControlMaster® Automation Centres located in the ROR.
All seven Automation Centres are equipped with Multiple Machine Selection (MMS) capabilities enabling an operator to control any single chute system from their respective station.
Freeport operators will now be able to observe chute operations through strategically placed cameras and remotely open and close the throat of each chute to pass ore and other material between different production levels for trucking to the surface.
The individual camera feeds can be manipulated and adjusted via intuitive mouse control options at each Automation Centre.
Previously operators were situated at the throat of each chute and manually operated each chute via their own line of sight.
RCT Account Manager Shane Smith said the chute control system will significantly improve safety onsite.
“Previously chute operators contended with heat, dust, exhaust fumes and potential wet muck situations which represent a substantial safety risk,” he said.
“Now they can more effectively manage the chutes from the safety and comfort of the Remote Operations Room which is far more preferable for everyone involved.”
“The convenient location of the control room will also significantly reduce shift changeover time as personnel can easily access the central control room rather than travel to each individual chute chamber.”
RCT will provide onsite training for site operators while the locally based technicians will deliver ongoing technical servicing and support to the site.
