The mining industry has undergone significant changes in the past few years to sustain profitability and growth in turbulent times with many companies increasing production efficiently by utilising new technologies including automation, digital solutions and of course, data.
In today’s digital world, the demand for data is king as the mining industry looks towards utilising analytics and the systems to process, analyse, interpret and convert it to the desired information to further improve efficiencies.
As a result, RCT made sure its systems can play an integral part of its client’s digital ecosystems, without compromising safety and system integrity and this is reflected and promoted in the company’s recently released interoperability statement.
The term interoperability is defined as the ability of a system to work with or use the parts of equipment of another system which is very relevant to RCT’s long-held philosophy of ensuring that its systems have always been able to integrate with client’s existing infrastructure. As an independent technology supplier, this has always been RCT’s point of difference from the OEM’s systems.
The company’s approach to interoperability extends beyond RCT’s systems integrating seamlessly within a mine’s ecosystem. RCT can achieve functional performance within a mixed-fleet environment and interface and exchange information between other systems; ensuring relevant data can be utilised.
RCT promotes data interoperability by defining a set of system health and operational data generated by our systems that can be shared with the customers, via pre-defined interfaces. This can be achieved through various industry standard interfaces and pathways, at a site level and within the cloud environment.
Secondly, powered by RCT’s proprietary PolyMesh technology, EarthTrack®, information system, can provide the transportation of data from and to multiple locations (e.g. from mobile machines to a central server for analysis), with or without network coverage.
Furthermore, EarthTrack® can read, store, and utilise data from other third-party systems.
RCT’s systems integrate with any machine, regardless of make and model they can also be integrated within any mine’s communications network and infrastructure and with any other systems; sharing critical information without compromising safety and system functionality. So, in other words, we have it all covered!
The company’s offering is extensive and ranges from automation and protection systems for mobile equipment to information systems with the ability to harvest, transport, and store data; along with tailored data analytics solutions.
Read RCT's Interoperability statement here.
- RCT's Mining and Resources Product Manager, Mick Tanner.
The mining industry is turning to digitisation in order to optimise efficiencies to increase productivity and profitability. RCT’s latest Communications Solutions offering ensures it can help clients enter, expand or completely digitise its operations by integrating solutions to a new or existing network.
RCT’s point of difference is its versatility with its extensive range of solutions to individual requirements and fortunately, it is just as agile with its Communications Solutions suite.
“We understand that not every site is the same; so it was important that we can cater to different mine sites and their impending needs, while still being able to accommodate any future developments,” said RCT’s Automation and Control Product Manager Brendon Cullen.
“RCT’s agility and adaptability to individual requirements are what sets us apart from the competition. It’s the flexibility of our technology offering that allows us to integrate all pieces of equipment and systems to tailor to individuals needs and our communications offer is no exception,” he said.
RCT’s Communications Solutions suite comprises of four offerings – Analogue, RCT Bridge, RCT Connect and Integration – all of which add significant value to clients operating autonomous machines on site.
Analogue is the traditional, simple and economical communication solution that allows for both analogue vision and autonomous machine control on a secure distributed antenna network. While RCT Bridge acts as a stepping stone to full digitisation by integrating with the existing analogue network on site to deliver larger volumes of machine data. For customers wanting the full-scale digital communications solution, there is RCT Connect. This will see RCT roll out a secure WiFi communication network (operating between 2.4 and 5.8Ghz) from the machine’s work area to the operator control station to guarantee autonomous machine performance for existing and future loader and truck fleets.
The fourth option is Integration with site network, where RCT collaborates with the customer to interface the technology into the existing digital network; with the ability to interface Long Term Evolution (LTE), underground WiFi and mesh networks with fibre optics or Ethernet infrastructure for surface or central control regardless if it is controlled by a third party of the site itself.
“The adaptability of the Communications Suite empowers clients to make step-by-step changes, they don’t necessarily have to fully digitise their mine straight away,” said Mr Cullen.
RCT’s Communication Solutions also facilitates real-time feedback and reporting to enable decisions to be made quickly, ensuring targets are met and machine maintenance can be predicted to significantly reduce unplanned downtime.
“Digital connectivity enables RCT to gather data pertaining to machine operating parameters, meaning failures can be flagged before they occur and our service departments are able to remotely diagnose failures and assist with repairs if required.”
“The investment in digitisation is justified by specific outcomes such as fewer breakdowns, decreased and unnecessary maintenance, and improved safety for both machinery and personnel, reduced operating costs and increased productivity,” he said.
RCT has been at the forefront of technology for 45 years and as the mining industry looks towards full digitalisation of it communication operations; the company will continue to be cutting edge.