The integration of Level 9 Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) has positively influenced the onsite culture of mining operations over the years, says mine safety original-equipment manufacturer Booyco Electronics CEO Anton Lourens.

Since December 2022, the use of PDS on trackless mobile machinery has been mandated under the Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996. These systems are designed to prevent accidents involving vehicles, pedestrians and other objects.

While the technology is an enabler for safety compliance, Lourens says that the success of PDS implementation lies in how well it is integrated into the operational culture of each mining site, which requires proactive change management.

“The culture on the mine is critical. That is probably the biggest challenge we usually face when implementing PDS at a new mining operation,” he says, adding that, for some mining operations, the adoption of PDS is driven solely by the legal requirement, while others implement it to follow the best practices that protect workers and improve overall site safety.

Booyco Electronics has found that change management and ongoing inclusive, feedback-directed training are essential for the success of the PDS, as this helps prevent any unintended consequences or additional risk.

“People are always resistant to change. We have learnt over the last few years that just trying to force change management is not necessarily successful. You need people to understand why it is being done,” Lourens explains.

When workers understand that PDS is there to protect them, they are more likely to support its adoption.

Booyco Electronics takes an inclusive approach that encompasses engagement with everyone on site, from the coalface up to the mine manager, with feedback enabling the company to improve the systems and processes and encourage higher levels of adoption.

In operations where PDS has been fully embraced, the technology has resulted in workers holding others accountable for unsafe practices.

Lourens cautions that simply deploying technology is not enough.

Some mining operations adopt technologies without a clear understanding of their capabilities or limitations.

“Technology is an enabler—it is there to assist operators to make sure that people work safely,” he emphasises, pointing out that there is not one single technology out there that is the silver bullet.

While it is critical for clients to understand the technology, to ensure that they make the right technological decision, there is also a need to understand the operations and what works for a particular operation.

To address this, Booyco Electronics works closely with each site to tailor solutions that match the specific needs and challenges of the operation.

The workforce is engaged on site to gain a greater understanding of the specific operation to deploy a solution that is aligned to the particular needs of the site.

The implementation can come with pain, says Lourens.

“It takes time to implement. It takes time to install. It takes time to optimise. It has a direct impact on production, based on efficiencies and equipment availability.”

However, by fostering a culture of collaboration, mining operations can find the “sweet spot” where people, safety, productivity and technology align.

A key foundation is a properly defined scope of work and effective traffic management, creating structured systems that mostly separate pedestrians from moving machinery.

“Ultimately, you want to remove people as far away from vehicles as much as possible, without creating bottlenecks,” Lourens concludes.