Barminco has enlisted RCT to carry out what is believed to be the world’s first agnostic remote installation on CAT’s Hybrid underground loader.
The mining services company will be using the R2900XE loader which has a diesel engine and electric driveline at the IGO-owned Spotted Quoll underground mine.
“Technology and innovation are two of Barminco’s core components, so it made sense they chose RCT to carry out the installation of this automation project,” said RCT’s Kalgoorlie Branch Manager, Rick Radcliffe.
“We are receiving a lot of interest in this project as it is a hybrid loader which reduces fuel burn resulting in low diesel particulates which is something companies are looking at doing to mine more sustainably in the future,” he said.
This project is currently underway with RCT’s Kalgoorlie branch completing the installation.
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Gold mining company Silver Lake Resources is more efficiently managing its earthmoving fleet in Western Australia following the implementation of smart technology company RCT’s EarthTrack® information monitoring tool.
RCT recently commissioned its market-leading EarthTrack® Payload Management System on Silver Lake Resources’ mixed fleet consisting of 5 Cat 777F Dump Trucks, 1 Hitachi 1200-6 Excavator and 1 Hitachi 1900-6 Excavator.
The solution provides Silver Lake Resources’ machine operators with real-time information about payload distribution and optimal load weights at the Mount Monger operation in Western Australia’s Goldfields.
Site managers can now closely monitor machine and operator productivity, prevent truck strut damage from over loading, reduce tyre wear and achieve better fuel consumption to significantly reduce overall running costs.
The system transmits payload data from the truck being loaded to the loading tool – in this case the excavator – which enables the loader operator to fill the trucks tray to the optimal weight.
One of the EarthTrack® system’s key features is that it monitors payload distribution in real time and alerts the operator of an uneven distribution allowing them to take action to avoid strut damage.
The systems external LED Payload Display conveniently relays the load weight to any personnel in visual range of the display.
RCT Account Manager Scott Phillips said the system will maximise efficiency and productivity of their mining fleet.
“This solution enhances the excavator operator’s ability to load dirt in an effective manner that ensures optimal loading conditions with every bucket.”
“Ineffective loading can lead to strut damage and wear and tear to machines which results in costly maintenance downtime to the mining fleet.”
“This tool will enable site personnel to make better decisions to ensure smooth and consistent operations while allowing site management to monitor the operation closely.”
RCT will continue to provide after-sales support and technical assistance as required.
A major gold mining company in the Republic of Kazakhstan is operating a CAT D10T dozer on RCT’s state-of-the-art technology to improve safety and productivity on site.
RCT worked with its local technology partner Borusan Makina Kazakhstan to commission its ControlMaster® solution. RCT provided the technical support remotely to Borusan technicians who implemented the technology package for Altyntau Kokshetau LLP at their Kokshetau mine in the Vasilkovskoye gold ore field.
Unlike most complex Original Equipment Manufacturer packages the ControlMaster® solution does not require specialist engineering work onsite and has a proven history of integrating quickly with any type of machine.
Going forward, site personnel will utilise the technology package and direct the dozer to work in hazardous locations under high walls and near ledges.
In the event of a rock fall the machine operator will be located in a safe vantage point and not in proximity to the dozer.
RCT Business Development Manager – CIS, Stephen Macarow said the project has been a great success.
“The mine site knows RCT is a trusted and reliable supplier and can provide proven technology solutions for their particular needs,” he said.
“Our technology is simple to install and use on any type of machine and we have empowered the mine site with the information they need to work independently.”
“We empowered Borusan’s local technicians with real-time international technical support as well as translated documentation which when combined ensured a smooth installation and commissioning process.
“Going forward, Borusan technicians will provide local support to the mine site and will be backed up by RCT’s international customer service team.”
“We have worked with mining companies in the CIS region for more than 20 years and this project is just the latest success story in a long line of projects.”
RCT provided a comprehensive webinar-based training package run by one of their specially-qualified trainers who had particular experience using ControlMaster® on a mine site.
The trainer conducted theory-based teaching in a classroom as well as practical hands-on demonstrations and through a VPN network carried out testing and diagnostics on the dozer onsite.
RCT’s trainer provided training to Borusan Makina maintenance personnel and a separate course for machine operators at the mine site.
Operation practical training on the machine was provided by Borusan instructor Azat Mizambayev with the support of Altyntau project chief of monitoring group Demyan Stassyuk on the competitions and testing field.
The training will empower the machine operators to utilise the technology to its maximum capacity and for Borusan Makina technicians to provide world-class local servicing.
RCT is committed to set the highest industry standards of customer support, including training, fleet servicing, repairs, maintenance, installation and parts supply, all to ensure customers’ operations are running at an optimum pace.
World-leading autonomous solutions specialist RCT has completed its latest automation & control project for a major mining company at one of its iron ore operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
RCT supplied and commissioned its ControlMaster® Line of Sight solution to one CAT D10T2 dozer and one CAT D11T dozer and the associated remote control devices for operators.
Site operators can now stand at a safe location overlooking the production area and direct the dozers to push the site’s Coarse Ore Stockpiles and other required activities.
RCT Account Manager Phill Dean said the technology will protect site personnel while ensuring effective production.
“This project is part of a long-standing relationship delivering leading edge technology to the major iron ore producer to ensure smooth day-to-day and adhoc business activities,” he said.
“The ControlMaster® technology integrated seamlessly into both dozer’s operating systems enabling the operators to access the machine’s full range of functionality available by the OEM.”
RCT will provide ongoing after sales support, scheduled servicing and onsite technical assistance as required.
Autonomous solutions specialist RCT has completed a project for Russian Cat® dealer Vostochnaya Technica (VT) on a fixed position rockbreaker in Siberia.
The pilot project involved commissioning ControlMaster® Teleremote on a fixed position BTI rockbreaker for a large Russian mining company at one of its operations in Siberia.
RCT also provided a Digital Vision Kit consisting of two fixed cameras and audio capability and a Fibre Optic Control Station (FOCS) located in site offices on the mine’s surface.
RCT’s Moscow-based CIS Business Development Manager Stephen Macarow said the rockbreaker was the latest RCT project to be completed at mines in the region.
“RCT was selected to carry out this project due to its experience in integrating automation technology in mining equipment of all makes and models,” he said.
“Operating the rockbreaker from the mine’s surface will safeguard machine operators while also giving them the chance to better utilise the machine’s capabilities.”
As well as installing its Teleremote technology onto the rockbreaker RCT’s bespoke solutions division Custom tailored the Teleremote package to the mining company’s specific requirement.
“RCT developed a unique auto-stow function at the request of VT and the mining company,” Mr Macarow said.
The auto-stow function means operators can simply push a button and retract the rockbreaker arm from the grizzly or steel grate over the ore pass and bring the machine to a parked position.
VT Technology Enabled Solutions Manager Alexander Voroshilov said the Rockbreaker project was the next good project with RCT which has benefitted the customer.
“In order to complete this turnkey project the VT Technology team has done big amount of work from equipment delivery from Australia to the mine site, Customs clearance, manuals translation and certification to on-site installation and commissioning under supervision of an RCT engineer,” he said.
“The key factor of the project success is the customer support and good collaboration with a partner, so we really appreciate our partnership with RCT and the customer assistance.”
RCT is continuing to provide ongoing technical and after-sales support to the mine site.
World-leading autonomous solutions specialist RCT is proud to be the first independent technology provider to successfully automate CAT’s recently released R1700K underground loader.
The “K” Series represents the latest iteration of CAT’s heavy equipment product range and boasts several advanced featured not previously accessible on the manufacturer’s machinery.
Recently, RCT successfully installed and commissioned its ControlMaster® Guidance Automation solution onto a CAT R1700K underground loader in Kalgoorlie merely weeks after it was introduced into the Western Australian market.
Guidance Automation enables equipment operators to manage the CAT R1700K loaders from the safety of a ControlMaster® Automation Centre located on the mine’s surface or in designated areas in the underground mine.
RCT Automation & Control Product Manager Brendon Cullen said the work is a major milestone for the company.
“RCT has a long history of successfully integrating with machinery developed by any Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and this project is no different,” he said.
“Our technicians assessed the R1700K underground loader in our Kalgoorlie workshop and configured our automation solution to interface with the machine and utilise all of its functions.”
“Machine operators can use Guidance Automation and operate the loaders in higher gears and access proportional braking to safely and efficiently carry out their work.”
“Guidance Automation incorporates features such as autodig, autodump, bucket positioning and it can make use of the machine’s traction control if required.”
“Going forward we will be able to commission ControlMaster® Guidance Automation on the CAT R1700K loader on any mine site backed by technical support from our regional offices around the world.”
In 2019 RCT commissioned ControlMaster® Guidance Automation onto Sandvik’s newly released “i” Series loader and previously installed ControlMaster® Guidance Automation on a new Eprioc ST18 loader.
RCT will provide full technical assistance and ongoing after-sales support from its Kalgoorlie branch to regional mining companies which have purchased the CAT R1700K loader.
World-leading autonomous solutions specialist RCT has succeeded over a global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and completed a customised Teleremote project at an underground mine in Kazakhstan.
RCT’s solution was selected over a technology option presented by a major OEM as its ControlMaster® Teleremote solution could be tailored to the mine’s site-specific requirements.
RCT worked with local Cat dealer Borusan Kazakhstan to install and commission its ControlMaster® automation technology onto two Cat R1700G underground loaders and associated Automation Centres located within the underground mine.
The ControlMaster® Teleremote solution is now being utilised at the Ridder underground Tishinsky copper mine in north-eastern Kazakhstan by local mining company Kazzinc.
Going forward, RCT will manufacture the Teleremote technology for an additional twelve Cat R1700G and Cat R1300G underground loaders while Borusan Kazakhstan will install this equipment at the Tishinsky and Dolinnoye mines.
The Teleremote solution enables machine operators to control the machine from a secure station in the underground mine with the help of strategically placed cameras and sensors.
Teleremote technology enables machine operators to access the machine’s full range of functions that they would normally have if they were sitting in the machine’s cab.
The company has also supplied its new digital communications network RCT Connect and integrated it with the underground loaders.
RCT Connect is designed specifically for autonomous and Teleremote machine operations in underground mining environments and can provide low latency, consistent communications between command inputs from the mine’s surface and subsequent machine activities.RCT’s Moscow-based Business Development Manager – CIS Stephen Macarow said he is pleased to have completed the project in partnership with Borusan Kazakhstan.
“Our Teleremote solution means the operators will control the loaders from inside the Automation Centre and they will be protected from the hazardous conditions often found at the mine face including geotechnical risks, dust, exhaust fumes and temperatures as low as -27⁰C (-16.6⁰F),” he said.
“The mining company will also experience improved site productivity through reduced shift handover times and less unplanned maintenance downtime from machine operator errors.”
“The ControlMaster® Automation and Control solutions are fully interoperable and agnostic, it can be integrated into any machine make and model and carry out the same range of functions as promised by the OEM.”
“RCT has been supplying proven technological solutions to the mining industry in Kazakhstan and the broader CIS region for over 25 years and we look forward to providing more autonomous solutions in the future.”
A spokesperson for Borusan Kazakhstan said the company has been working with RCT since 2008 and in that time has delivered multiple automation projects for the Kazakhstan mining industry including at the Tishinsky mine.
“Borusan Kazakhstan has been actively watching the regional mining market and in cooperation with RCT has developed Teleremote technology that is suitable for the CIS market,” they said.
“In collaboration with RCT Borusan Kazakhstan currently provides remote control and Teleremote solution implementation, standard and adapted-for-the-customer equipment delivery, maintenance services and employee technology trainings.”
“At the start of 2020 we started work on the largest project to date with RCT to implement ControlMaster® Teleremote onto two Cat underground loaders and we look forward to implementing the additional 12 units over the course of the year.”
Borusan Kazakhstan equipment service engineer Altamirov Yegor said he has worked with RCT for 10 years and has enjoyed seeing the automation technology evolve to suit mining industry requirements.
“I believe that the key to RCT’s success is they listen to the wishes of each customer and the mine site staff,” he said.
“I have worked closely with RCT staff on joint technical solutions and in critical situations RCT instantly reacts and makes decisions to eliminate the problems.”
“Their work provides mining clients with dynamic development and ever improving automation systems.”
Leading autonomous solutions specialist RCT has entered into its first automation project in India for one of the world’s largest zinc mining companies, Hindustan Zinc Limited and their mining services provider Barminco.
The package of works involves commissioning ControlMaster® Guidance Automation onto two CAT R2900 underground loaders at Hindustan’s Rampura Agucha mine in Rajasthan province.
The loaders will now undertake Teleremote mining in open stopes developed by Barminco.
RCT will install two underground ControlMaster® Automation Centres as well as four ControlMaster® Area Access Cabinets into mine stopes which collectively enable machine operators to safely manage the machines away from the mine face.
The Automation Centres will also be equipped with Multiple Machine Selection and Multiple Machine Control options, enabling a single operator to manage both machines at one time.
The project represents the first time RCT has deployed its proprietary digital communications network RCT Connect into a mine site anywhere in the world.
RCT will carry out training programs to empower local operators and maintenance personnel then machine servicing works on an ongoing basis.
Automation specialist RCT has entered into a project with Chinova Resources to install and commission autonomous technology at its Osborne Mine in Queensland.
The project involves RCT installing its ControlMaster® Guidance Automation packages on two CAT 2900 loaders to operate at the copper-gold underground mine.
RCT will also provide an underground Teleremote Cabin complete with a Laser Guard Containment Unit and analogue communications as well as a Fibre Optic Control Station (FOCS) located on the mine’s surface.
ControlMaster® Guidance offers consistent machine operation and cycle times by reducing unplanned machine downtime from operator errors and improved safety for operators who can manage the machines from remote locations.
RCT’s Brisbane and Mount Isa branches carried out installation and commissioning works and have also delivered comprehensive operator and maintenance training to site personnel.
Leading autonomous solutions provider RCT is finalising a major automation project for Westgold Resources at five of its mine sites in Western Australia’s Murchison.
The package of works involved RCT installing and commissioning its ControlMaster® Guidance Automation technology to 10 of Westgold’s underground loader fleet across their mining operations including CAT R2900Gs and Sandvik LH517 loaders.
RCT will also deliver its latest surface-based ControlMaster® Automation Centres equipped with Multiple Machine Selection and Multiple Machine Control options aimed at driving further mining production efficiencies at each site.
Guidance Automation encompasses a fully automated tramming cycle between production level locations which includes proportional braking and automated steering and speed control.
The technology also includes features such as G-Dash which empowers operators by presenting a graphical dashboard of the machine telemetry and diagnostic features to ensure optimal loader performance.
Implementing the ControlMaster® Guidance Automation solution across Westgold’s Big Bell, Paddy’s Flat, Comet, South Emu and Starlight operations standardises the company’s production technology and will deliver significant efficiencies and synergies.
RCT Business Development Manager Mining – APAC Ryan Noden said each delivery is being tailored to site-specific requirements.
“Over the past few months RCT has been working in a staged approach to upgrade Westgold’s existing systems and consolidate the operating system across all operations to ControlMaster®,” he said.
“The introduction of RCT’s technology will offer Westgold a proven and successful pathway to mine digitalisation, with the ability to adopt the latest technology offerings as and when required and applying shared learnings across its operations.”
“RCT is excited to be working closely with Westgold as a technology provider to achieve operational excellence.”
David Noort, Executive General Manager – ACM at Westgold Resources said he is delighted to be working with RCT.
“We made the decision to implement the ControlMaster® Guidance Automation solution due to RCT’s proven productivity and technological reliability and proactive support services,” he said.
“Being able to implement Multiple Machine Selection/Multiple Machine Control is an added advantage as it will support staged growth and specialised applications where geotechnical constraints require a period of standoff before re-entry after blasting.”
RCT has been upskilling Westgold site personnel by implementing operator and maintenance training courses and will carry out after sales support and field servicing on an ongoing basis.
