A world-class gold mine’s fleet of four Sandvik LH621i loaders utilises RCT’s multi-machine automation system, AutoNav, on site and has done for years to reliably improve safety and productivity.
So, when the site purchased four more machines to add to their fleet, the decision to again choose RCT’s proven agnostic automation technology was an easy one.
The open pit and underground gold operation operates its fleet of AutoNav loaders from three AutoNav Centres, strategically placed on site at various, safe vantage points.
“Operators manage the autonomous loaders from two surface stations and one underground cabin, keeping them safely out of hazardous environments,” said Brisbane Branch Manager, Owen Perrott.
The installation of AutoNav on four more Sandvik LH621i loaders was carried out seamlessly by our talented team.
“RCT offered local support by our talented local techs,” said Mr Perrott.
Standardising automation across a fleet isn’t just common practice, it’s a strategic move that drives efficiency.
“There is a myriad of benefits from having the same automation applied across a client’s entire fleet, said Mr Perrott.
“This includes an increase in productivity across the board as everyone is familiar with the technology and how it works.”
“It also streamlines the operator training process,” he added.
“The site is a long-term client, and we are proud to be their agnostic automation supplier of choice.”
“We have a great relationship with this well-known underground mining services company and are proud of the work we do to deliver to their specific needs,” said Mr Perrott.
The lease life was recently extended and RCT looks forward to continuing its partnership, providing advanced, scalable automation solutions that evolve with the site’s future needs.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
Catalyst Metals' Plutonic gold mine in North Meekatharra, Western Australia, has made the transformative move from analogue to digital operations in preparations for the future of mining technology thanks to RCT - Powered by Epiroc.
This upgrade is not limited to new equipment but also includes comprehensive upgrades to existing machines, including Sandvik and CAT loaders with the implementation of RCT's AutoNav package.
This state-of-the-art technology allows the mobile machines to navigate autonomously with higher precision, ensuring increased productivity and a better overall working environment for operators.
A major highlight of this transition is the adoption of modular platforms, allowing operators to control the loaders from inside the comfort of a light vehicle that they can drive to the working stope. With distances between stopes ranging from 3 to 5 kilometres, this provides a flexible and scalable solution for the site which further drives operational efficiency. In addition, these platforms are designed for easy integration with the newly upgraded digital systems on-site, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer across vast areas of the mine.
To support this digital evolution, the site also upgraded its communication network with RCT Connect, our very own advanced digital Wi-Fi solution.
This upgrade allows operators and maintenance teams to access real-time diagnostics and receive alerts about potential issues before they lead to costly downtime.
Furthermore, the digital systems come with higher tolerance and precision, reducing the likelihood of overheating and other mechanical problems that are often associated with analogue. Therefore, the result is not just improved performance, but also longer equipment lifespans and lower maintenance costs.
This latest transition from analogue to digital represents a pivotal, forward-thinking approach to modern mining, reinforcing Plutonic's commitment to innovation and shaping a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Emma Young, RCT Communications Officer
RCT is proud to announce it is helping Metals X increase productivity and safety at its Nifty copper mine in Western Australia following its success with RCT’s technology at Renison Bell Tin Mine in Tasmania the past 2 years.
Two of Metals X’s new CAT R2900G loaders have been fitted with RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance Automation solutions to ensure operators can oversee the machines from a safe distance.
In addition to this, RCT Bridge has been installed to effectively facilitate all automation functions. RCT Bridge is the upgrade path to digitisation, converting clients’ analogue network signals to digital, enabling large volumes of information to be transmitted and received promptly. It is an essential requirement to support the latest autonomous features and delivers further value to the customer with minimal investment or the need to move to a full-scale digital network in the work area. It will be integrated to Nifty’s existing analogue network.
Stay tuned for more on this project…
A base metal mineral mine in Spain has increased production at a newly developed mine thanks to innovative Smart Technology company RCT.
The site manager, who was already familiar with RCT’s products and capabilities, saw the opportunity to increase productivity at the mine by upgrading its loaders from a Line-of-Sight (LOS) remote system to a proven RCT solution.
Mine management and RCT collaborated to find the ideal solution for the site to directly answer its needs. It was decided RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance systems (ATX2000) were best suited for the job. These solutions were installed on four CAT R2900G Underground loaders.
RCT’s ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance systems were specifically designed to improve operational efficiency and productivity by reducing impact damage to the machine while increasing general tramming speed to ensure KPI’s are met every time.
The previous technology the mine was utilising was basic and required a high level of concentration to navigate the complicated and often busy drives of the mines on top of this, LOS resulted in an interrupted mining sequence as the operator has to enter and exit the machine frequently which takes time.
The ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance systems would eliminate the interrupted mining sequence, assist with fatigue experienced by operators and make navigating the drives simple as the Teleremote and Guidance is equipped with lasers to avoid all walls and obstacles, which in turn reduces damage to expensive machinery.
The state-of-the-art system removes the operator from the machine, allowing them to control the loader from the comfort of an operator control station which is complete with chair, controls and screens. The loader itself is fitted with cameras and sensors which are relayed to the operating station.
At this particular site, two Automation Centres were deployed. One was adapted into an underground room in the mine wall, and the second was fitted on the back of Ford Ranger vehicle, making it mobile.
RCT training was also successfully delivered to numerous mine operators via an interpreter; ensuring workers had a sound understanding of the system in order to reap maximum results.
Within a few weeks of operation, the site experienced a substantial improvement in the number of buckets the loaders were completing in a day.
“The system is working and we feel confident about it,” said the site manager.
“We have allocated two dedicated guys –trained by [RCT] to ensure that is adequately implemented across all shifts.”
In addition to this, he said operator safety and operating conditions have improved.
“The system has been positively received by all the operators and working conditions have improved considerably with the use of this technology,” he said.
“This solution has also addressed unnecessary downtime we were experiencing.”
“The Teleremote solution allows the operators to work uninterrupted; they no longer have to raise and lower the blade continuously when entering and exiting the stope.”
RCT has successfully deployed numerous ControlMaster® Teleremote and Guidance systems in mining operations throughout the world, with great results. To date, RCT has engaged in projects in more than 64 countries however, this was the first significant project to be completed in Spain.
