Nearly two years ago, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy embarked on a transformative step towards bolstering the safety of miners by mandating the Chapter 8 regulations of the Mine Health and Safety Act. These regulations require Level 9 vehicle intervention for collision avoidance in trackless mobile machinery, as defined by the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT).

The policy shift has since spurred the nation’s mines to pursue more sophisticated vehicle safety technologies, and digital reality solutions group Hexagon is attracting attention with its vehicle intervention system (VIS) and collision avoidance system (CAS).

Hexagon CAS is renowned for its significant contributions to mine safety. It is a comprehensive protection system that offers 360º detection and alerts at any speed – essential for minimising collision risks in challenging mining environments.

Hexagon CAS offers the technological capability to ‘see’ vehicles up to 500 m away, ensuring its effectiveness even under difficult visibility conditions. It supersedes Level 8 advisories by alerting operators to varying risk levels, producing distinct alarms that lead to enhanced situational awareness.

Hexagon CAS boasts a seamless, intuitive user experience for a simple onboarding experience and swift adoption, and it integrates actionable insights for a clear view of operational risks and opportunities. What makes the solution truly indispensable for South Africa’s mining industry is its unique integration with Hexagon VIS, which stands as a world-first solution specifically designed for mining equipment that meets the stringent EMESRT Level 9 vehicle control criteria.

Hexagon VIS provides an added layer of safety that is activated when an operator fails to respond to a CAS alert. In such scenarios, VIS will automatically take control of the vehicle’s propulsion system, slowing it down and applying brakes to prevent a potential collision.

Having undergone more than 10 000 hours of testing in a live mine before its launch in 2017, Hexagon’s VIS system is a testament to resilience and reliability in an industry that depends on both. Given Hexagon’s partnerships with leading original-equipment manufacturers, VIS is available across more than 70 different equipment modelsfrom haul trucks to articulated dump trucks and wheel loaders.

Further, Hexagon’s VIS provides a comprehensive and real-time visualisation of danger zones and imminent threats. Beyond improving safety, this high-end feature also helps prevent production slowdowns and unnecessary shutdowns and decreases brake wear, thereby saving costs on equipment maintenance and downtime.

South Africa’s shift towards the EMESRT Level 9 safety standard is playing a pivotal role in transforming vehicle safety in the mining industry, and Hexagon’s CAS and VIS are proving to be essential in navigating this transformative journey. Going beyond merely ticking boxes for regulatory compliance, Hexagon puts the lives of miners first.