In the mining industry, ensuring the safety of operators and personnel is of utmost priority. However, achieving this goal comes with its own set of unique challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the risk of accidents involving operators working with or around underground drills. The confined and hazardous environment of underground drilling operations amplifies the likelihood of injuries, making it imperative to adopt effective safety measures.
Operators working with underground drills are often exposed to hazardous conditions that include limited visibility, constrained movement, and the proximity of heavy machinery. These challenges mean that operators must navigate through dark, tight spaces while managing the powerful and dangerous equipment necessary for drilling. Additionally, the noise and vibrations generated by drilling machines can further obscure an operator's awareness of their surroundings, increasing the potential for accidents.
The RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system is an innovative solution designed to address the critical challenge of operator safety in underground drilling operations. This advanced system, which can be installed on any drill regardless of make or model, enhances operator safety by detecting movement along the sides of the machine when the drill is armed and operating.
In a high-risk environment where every second counts, the RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system provides an essential safeguard against accidents, significantly reducing the risk of injury to personnel.
By integrating these advanced features, the RCT Drill Stop Personnel Exclusion system offers a comprehensive safety solution for underground drill operations, where traditional safety measures may fall short. By implementing this system, companies can achieve a higher standard of safety, protecting both their workforce and equipment, making it an indispensable tool for the industry.
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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.
50 years ago, Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was number one on the Billboard charts, the infamous Watergate Scandal was just beginning and for around $18,000 you could buy a house in Australia. 1972 was also the year Kalgoorlie resident and young electrician Bob Muirhead opened the doors to his very own electrical business.
It wasn’t long before Bob created the first of his many game-changing products. That product was a fail-safe engine protection system that became known as the Muirhead® Engine Protection system and is still used today by heavy equipment fleet owners around the world.
The philosophy of innovation, quality craftsmanship and a customer-first approach that gave rise to the Muirhead® Protection range remains strong half a century later with RCT now boasting hundreds of solutions across its other established brands: ControlMaster® Automation, EarthTrack® Data, SmarTrack® Information and AusProTec™ Electrical Equipment.
In addition to this, the company provides training and most importantly 24/7 customer support to its mining and industrial customers around the world – making it the full-service company.
Today, RCT is widely recognised around the globe as the Smart Technology leader in the open pit, underground and industrial sectors. RCT currently has seven branches, supported by more than 270 staff and trusted technology partners delivering solutions in 72 countries and six continents with a reputation for being the best in the business and experts in the field.
“It’s fantastic to have seen the business grow over the years – from such humble beginnings to the worldwide company it is today – it’s just incredible,” said Mr Muirhead.
“RCT’s ability to continue to innovate and adapt to a forever changing industry and being able to foresee what our client needs to streamline activities and increase productivity and profitability.”
Throughout its long history, RCT has been known as numerous business names as its innovated and expanded. Some people will recognise the company when it was called Bob Muirhead Electrical before changing to Automotive Industrial Supplies and then Remote Control Technologies and now of course, people know that company as RCT – a name that encompasses the broad range of solutions the company provides clients with today.
To date, RCT has installed the most machine-controlled solutions than any other global supplier and it’s standard-setting automation solution has clocked more than 8 million, incident-free automation hours – showcasing RCT is still at the forefront. RCT is constantly creating and developing purpose-built solutions beneficial to our customers in increasing efficiency and profitability.
RCT’s Executive Director and CEO, Brett White has been with the company for over 10 years and even in this time he has been impressed by what the company has been able to achieve and is looking forward to what the future holds for the global tech innovative company.
“The company has come leaps and bounds since it started. We are unique to the market as we are able to provide an array of cutting-edge solutions that are easily installed on any machine, regardless of make or model,” said Mr White.
“We are constantly innovating and therefore always relevant to the market and equally importantly we support our clients on their technology strategic journey.”
Here’s to the next 50 years… watch this space…